SHARPENING SAW CHAIN 17
Keep chain sharp. Your saw will cut faster and more safely. A dull chain will cause undue sprocket, guide bar,
chain, and motor wear. If you must force chain into wood and cutting creates only sawdust with few large chips,
chain is dull.
Purchase these items from your local dealer, hardware store, or pole saw supplies outlet.
● 5/32" round file
● Depth gauge tool
● File guide
● Vise
● Medium sized flat file
Use file guide for 30° filing.
1. Adjust chain for proper tension.
2. Clamp guide bar in vise to hold saw steady. (Note: Do not clamp chain.)
3. Press 5/32" round file (attached to file guide) into groove between top plate and depth gauge on chain. File
guide should rest on both top plate and depth gauge (see Fig.14). (Note: File at midpoint of guide bar.)
4. Hold file guide level. Make sure 30° mark on file guide is parallel to the center of guide bar (see Fig.15). This
will ensure that you file cutters at 30° angle.
5. Sharpen the cutter by filing it from inside to outside. Only file in this one direction (see Fig.15). (Note: Two or
three strokes with file should sharpen the cutter.)
SHARPENING SAW CHAIN
Items Needed to Sharpen Chain
Sharpening Cutters
Note:
This illustration shows file guide placement and filing direction for sharpening cutters on left side of the
chain.
Fig.14
Fig.15
