Because sawing through logs and exposing the teeth to dirt will quickly wear them out, chainsaw chains need regular sharpening to ensure optimal performance.
It’s not difficult to sharpen a chain with just a small file, but it takes a lot of effort and can be difficult to achieve consistent results when honing each tooth individually.
In order to sharpen cutters evenly, you can use these best electric chainsaw sharpener for the money from Stihl, which have a small grinding wheel and a groove to hold the chains in place. A chain sharpener works similarly no matter what brand you buy.
- In order to avoid starting the chainsaw when you are working, you should unplug its spark plug wire. Chain the chainsaw and remove the chain.
- Locate the master cutter, the two teeth that are the shortest on the chain. Make sure you start here so you know when each cutter has been sharpened. The master cutter might be hard to find – the difference is subtle – so you can start with any cutter set using a grease pencil or marker to mark it first.
- Insert the chainsaw chain into the sharpener’s rail so that it fits into the groove of the cutting bar just like it does on the chainsaw. With a lever on top, it secures the chain into it and is attached to the rail. Attach the chain to the clamping rail by engaging the lever.
- The chain will move freely until the stop mechanism is engaged. Position the master cutter so that it rests just in front of it. Clampdown the stop mechanism to secure the master cutter.
- Move the pivot pin on the stop mechanism towards you to cut the left-hand cutters in each set of two cutters. Adjust the sharpening angle of the tool rest so that it is 60 degrees, 65 degrees, 80 degrees, or 85 degrees accordingly. Each chainsaw requires a different angle, so check your manual for specific instructions. Depending on the chainsaw model, a depth scale can also be used to set the depth.
- Make sure that the grinding wheel arm comes in between the cutting edges of the master cutter and then move it side to side. The grinder wheel arm is locked in this position by tightening the nut, which remains the same for each set of cutters. Away from the chain, lift the grinding wheel. Sharpening the chain has now been completed.
- After the sharpener is powered up, slowly lower the grinding wheel until the left-hand cutting tooth is in contact with it. The metal should feel sharp after several short lifts and lowers. If you’re not sure whether a chainsaw sharpening angle is correct, use a filing gauge; the gauge data required varies based on the chainsaw model, so consult the manual. Raising or lowering the arm may narrow the angle. To remedy this, tighten the grinding wheel’s nut again. The first cutter can be sharpened again if necessary.
- You can release the chain from the clamp by opening the lever. The stop should be raised, and the chain should be moved left for the next cutter to be positioned in front of the stop mechanism. Bring the chain back all the way to the right so that it is butted against the stop directly. A tightening lever can be used to secure the position. Sharpen the second cutter by turning on the sharpener and lowering the grinding wheel. Repeat this process until you have sharpened all of the cutters on the left-hand side of the cutter sets.
- If the right-side cutters of each set need to be sharpened, push the pivot pin of the stop mechanism away from your body. Make sure to adjust the rotating tool rest so that it cuts the same angle, but on the opposite end of the scale. Make sure the depth gauge height in the sharpener is below the top of a filing gauge placed on the chain. Place the grinding wheel between the two cutters in each set and adjust the wheel as necessary.
- On the master cutter set, sharpen the first cutter by lowering the grinding wheel just above and below the cutter in short bursts until the cutting edge is consistent. When the first right-hand cutter is lined up against the stop, release the clamping lever and move the chain to the right. When the clamping lever is tightened, grind the second cutter to the right. The process should be repeated until all cutters on the right hand have been sharpened and the master cutter is again sharp.
Video – How To Use Stihl Chainsaw Sharpener 2023
I need to sharpen the chain of my Stihl chainsaw. What angle should I use?
Stihl chain blades should be honed 30 degrees with a zero offset (90 degrees, or straight across). Accordingly, I have noticed that many of my Stihl chains arrive from the factory sharpened at 35 degrees, with zero offsets. With a 35 degree angle, cutting will be faster, however, it will also dull in the long run.
