Sharpening angle of chainsaw chainsaw calm on the machine

Why does the chain get dull?

When studying information on how to set up a chainsaw, be extremely careful, since incorrect settings are the first reason for the rapid failure of the chain and abrasion of its teeth. Usually the chain becomes dull for the following reasons:

use of low-quality oil or oil that does not meet the parameters specified in the instructions;
incorrect setting of the gaps between the edge and the limiter;
lack of lubrication in the system;
poor chain tension.

Also be careful when sawing old boards because they may contain nails, which will also dull the edges of the teeth. Important factors for wear of the element are also considered to be inept handling of the saw, frequent contact when working with hard objects - stones, bricks, and intensive use.

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SHARPENING THE STIHL CHAINSAW CHAINS

Sharpening a saw chain, if you have the appropriate knowledge and skills, is not difficult, but it requires compliance with certain rules. Let's look at the most useful and necessary ones.

When working with a saw for a long time, you have to periodically sharpen its cutting part during the day, since all cutting teeth must first of all have the same length, sharpening angle and position of the depth stop.

To do this, we first find the shortest tooth, take it as the starting point, and during the sharpening process we adjust all the other cutting teeth of the chain to its length. If it is in the right row of teeth, then fix the guide bar in a vice with the end sprocket to the left, but if in the left row, then turn the guide bar with the end sprocket to the right. Then we place this tooth in the sharpening zone and turn on the chain brake. Sharpening is carried out with a round file of a certain diameter depending on the chain pitch <cm. table 1), holding it at a right angle to the plane of the tire in the vertical direction and at a sharpening angle in the horizontal direction. For cross-cutting wood, the sharpening angle is usually 30°, and for longitudinal cutting – 10°.

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For this reason, two types of saw chains are produced - transverse and longitudinal, differing in sharpening angle.

When working with a file, 20-25% of its diameter should protrude above the upper edge of the cutting tooth. Remember that the file grinds the metal only when moving away from itself, and when moving back it should be lifted. In addition, the file must be periodically rotated slightly around its axis to prevent uneven wear. After two or three forward feeds, check the uniformity of steel removal from the tooth being ground. If the removal occurs in places, then either you are using the wrong file, or you are moving the file too high or too deep. The cutting edge must be ground until the light strip disappears on it.

After obtaining a good cutting edge on the tooth being sharpened, first disengage the brake, move the chain to the next tooth on the same side of the bar, and reinstall the brake before sharpening. Grind down the remaining cutting teeth on this side to the same length, then rotate the tool 180° and sharpen all the teeth on the other side in the same way. Let us remind you that all of them need to be ground down to the length of the initial tooth. If the cutting teeth of one row are longer than the other, then align them by performing one or two additional sharpening movements.

Compliance with the above recommendations helps to obtain correct and identical values of the rake angle and sharpening angle with the same height of all cutting chain links.

Now you need to adjust the depth limiters, since the differences in the heights of the upper points of the cutting edge and the plunge limiter decreased as the teeth were ground, and not equally, because the teeth had to be aligned.

To check this value, it is convenient to use a filing gauge that corresponds to the chain pitch and determines the cutting depth (see Table 1). It is a template for controlling the position of the cutting depth limiter; it is placed on the cutting tooth, and if the cutting depth limiter protrudes above the upper plane of the caliber, then this excess must be removed with a flat file. Do not touch a sharpened cutting tooth with a file. Count the number of file feeds on the first depth stop and grind the depth stops of the remaining cutting teeth approximately the same number of times, making sure to round the leading edge of the stop to reduce vibration and reduce the risk of kickback.

In conclusion, we note that hand sharpening of a chain saw is worthwhile to maintain the performance of the tool during intensive use during the workday. Moreover, STIHL offers a wide range of auxiliary devices that make sharpening easier and more efficient. These are special guides, various sharpening devices, control gauges, etc. After 3-4 manual sharpenings, we recommend professional mechanized sharpening of the saw chain in a specialized service center to guarantee high productivity and excellent cutting quality.

Application

Table 1. Size range of saw chains

Even the popular Stihl does not last forever: the teeth of a chainsaw eventually wear out, which is easy to determine by the nature of the chips that form. With a dull cutting edge, the chips turn out to be small, because the working edge does not cut, but crushes the wood. Naturally, the effort expended by the operator increases sharply. It's time to sharpen the saw. How to do this correctly - choose the optimal technology, determine what angle of tooth sharpening should be and how to check it?

How to know when it's time to sharpen your chain

If you have already studied information on how to sharpen a chainsaw chain with your own hands, you need to know exactly the characteristics indicating the gradual failure of the cutting elements. The main ones:

you notice that you are putting in much more effort when working;
smaller sawdust appeared;
there is noticeable vibration during operation or braking;
the cut does not have a clear cut and is characterized by a large number of irregularities with sharp edges.

Anyone who does not want to fix more serious damage to the device in the future needs to know information about how to sharpen a chainsaw chain. For example, the tight movement of the links puts additional stress on the engine, thereby stimulating rapid wear.

Tips for extending the life of your chainsaw chain

Take care of your honor from a young age, and take care of the thing again, as popular wisdom says. This statement is especially true for piercing and cutting objects, since it is not possible to achieve factory accuracy at home. To keep your chain sharp for as long as possible, remember the following rules:

Lubricate the chain with oil regularly. This is done to ensure smooth running and prevent corrosion. For regular work, it is enough to repeat the procedure once every two weeks. If the saw is rarely used, it is better to remove the chain and soak it in machine oil.
Saw strictly perpendicular to the ground. Even though chainsaws work at any angle, the standard requirements of working with a sawing tool are to secure a specific stand. Sawing is carried out perpendicular to the ground, the sawing edge relative to the tree is located at an angle of 450.
Allow the metal to cool. Any steel loses its strength when heated. Even the so-called hardened iron, obtained by heating steel to a limiting temperature and immediately cooling it, acquires super strength only once. If you repeat the procedure, the metal will lose its properties. Since most chains are made from relatively cheap technical steel, overheating instantly leads to dull teeth.
Inspect the chain after finishing work. Quite often small chips or shavings remain in it. If they fit into the spacer, they will change the geometry of the tooth, therefore, it will begin to work incorrectly and, at best, quickly become dull, and at worst, it will break.
Store the saw in a dry, well-ventilated area. Even an oil-treated chain will quickly become corroded if it is constantly left in the open air. Ventilation is needed so that moisture from the indoor air does not have time to settle on the chain.
Do not hit wood, stone or other surface with the saw. Despite the obviousness, this action is often performed automatically in order to shake out the sawdust. This is strictly forbidden, since burrs appear on the cutting edge, which are quite difficult to remove. Without correcting this defect, productivity drops by 20-30%.

File

If you decide to use this method to restore the functionality of your chainsaw, prepare:

a round file designed for processing the edges of teeth with a rounded shape;
a flat file is needed to deepen or form stops that regulate the depth of cutting of the chain into the wood.

To properly sharpen a chainsaw chain using files, it does not need to be removed from the bar (base). In this case, the tension should be standard, and the system should be put on the brake. Next, follow a simple algorithm:

inspect the chain for chips, cracks and other damage;
the sharpening angle must be indicated in the manufacturer's instructions and determined by special marks;

Among the main recommendations of experts on how to properly sharpen a chainsaw chain using files, the following should be mentioned:

uniform pressure on the file when moving;
movements of the sharpening tool should be directed only in one direction;
to sharpen a vertical plane, the file should be placed strictly at a right angle;
if the teeth differ in height, you should choose the lowest size and adjust the rest to it.

How and how to sharpen chain teeth

The saw chain teeth have a non-standard shape. They consist of a base, a blade and a depth stop. The blade has a vertical blade and a horizontal blade that falls at an angle. It is thanks to these blades that a chainsaw cuts wood. They work on the principle of a plane, cutting off pieces, and the limiter regulates their thickness (the difference in height between it and the horizontal blade will be the thickness of the chips). You can sharpen a chainsaw chain manually or using a machine.

Sharpening kits

One of the most common methods is with a set consisting of round and flat files, a holder, a stop template and a hook used to remove sawdust. To ensure the correct positioning of the holder, special markings are applied to it, allowing you to determine the correct angle for sharpening. It is installed on the upper part of the tooth and stop, while the round file remains under it and is located just next to the blade. Thanks to the holder, the file is at the correct height, or rather, protrudes 1/5 above the blade. To sharpen a cutting tooth, only round files are used, since the contour of the tooth has a rounded shape.

Kits must be purchased based on the chain pitch size. You cannot use the same sharpening kit for different chains.

Before you start sharpening a chainsaw chain at home, the bar needs to be secured in a vice or with a clamp, the main thing is that the saw does not move during processing. Having installed the holder according to the markings, begin to smoothly and without too much pressure, move the file strictly away from you 2-3 times. Similar actions are repeated with all other teeth. The file needs to be turned over from time to time to avoid one-sided wear. The pressure force and number of movements should be the same for everyone; this is necessary for uniform sharpening of all teeth. If they are different, then cracks may form in the chain, which will lead to its breakage.

To make it more convenient to work, first the teeth on one side are sharpened, and after that the saw is turned over and the teeth on the other are aligned.

They start sharpening with the smallest tooth so that the length of all the others is the same. After the work on processing the blades is completed, they move on to the limiters. Place the template from the kit on top of the chain in such a position that the limiter is in the hole. The protruding part is ground off with a flat file.

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PowerSharp system

This system allows you to sharpen the chain in a few seconds, without even removing it from the bar. The kit includes a PowerSharp chain, abrasive bar, saw bar and sharpening device. In order to sharpen a chain with it, you will need to take the following 3 steps:

install the PowerSharp bar and chain;
Fix the beam inside the sharpening device, after which it is installed on the tire;
The end of the chainsaw is rested on some object and started for a couple of seconds.

The video below shows in more detail how to sharpen a chainsaw chain with your own hands using this system:

Application of special machines

For those who are not just interested in the question of how to properly sharpen a chainsaw chain, but also do it regularly, and are simply tired of working with a file, you should pay attention to universal power sharpening machines. These are devices with provided settings, using which correctly, you will position the chain at the required angle, with maximum accuracy and carefully bring the sharpening disk to each tooth.

There are also installations equipped with automatic vices, which turn on when the disk approaches the edge of the cutting elements. Models differ in a variety of additional functions and prices, so you can always choose the one that suits you.

What is the Sharpening Angle of Shtil 180 Chain?

Content

What is the correct sharpening angle for chainsaw chains?

Chainsaw. a necessary tool for everyday needs, it will find a worthy use in the country. A chainsaw is easy to cut wood for a stove or fireplace. It also performs well when felling trees. Anyone who owns such an assistant should know the correct angle for sharpening chainsaw chains. Calling a specialist to your home, and of course, to your dacha, costs a lot of money. That's why you have to make do with your own hands.

Although it is better to entrust sharpening to a specialist, some woodcutters learned this craft without the help of others. If wood cutting specialists have to sharpen a chain several times in one day, then an ordinary gardener does not have such a need due to the fact that he rarely uses the equipment. Is there an option to learn the craft yourself? There are some tips for you for this purpose.

Features of the chainsaw

Cutting wood is similar to working with a plane. In all this, the size of the cut depends on the thickness of the limiter. When the saw chain works in a saturated mode, the teeth become dull faster. This is clearly manifested when the ground surface melts in the path of the chain. To completely blunt the teeth, it is enough to “catch” on the ground for a few seconds.

If you are able to sharpen it frequently, the chain will serve even longer, since very little metal will be removed. In addition to the question of what angle of sharpening the chainsaw chain must be, this is also necessary to know!

There is no need to work with blunt equipment for a number of reasons. At first, this is reflected in the quality of the cut, but not radically. Lethargy also quickly sets in, which is felt not only in the palm of your hand, but also in the body.

Next reason. unjustified excessive consumption of fuel. Our client is left with the parts working in an intense mode, which inevitably leads to rapid wear and tear. Performance drops seriously, which also happens when using a defective chain.

Features of the chain structure

To be able to sharpen a chainsaw chain perfectly, you should know the structure of its teeth. It will not do without knowing the sharpening angle. Whose tooth has a complex structure. Its geometry is represented by the following components:

basis;
spatula;
depth limiter.

With all this, the blade consists of two blades: the end blade and the top blade. At the same time, they are expected to have the correct sharpening angle for the chainsaw chain in order to provide it with the required performance.

The best ones to think of now. It is not the chain that cuts the tree, since it serves as the basis for securing the cutting links and moves them at the highest speed. The links themselves have sharp blades, which are used to cut down the wood.

How do you know when sharpening is needed?

There is no other way to find out whether the chain teeth are ground down, of course, by certain corresponding signs. This, here it all depends on how actively the chainsaw is used. It's worth taking a closer look to see what kind of shavings it leaves behind. Its uniformity and square shape indicate sharp teeth. When a chain is ground down, it usually leaves behind wood dust, and the sawdust itself is like the needles that a hand saw “produces.”

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If the cutting speed is reduced, then this is also considered a sign of a dull chain. There is an increase in load on the instrument itself and the occurrence of vibration. It’s not always possible for newcomers to see some of these signs. Therefore, they should rather than just pay special attention to the quality of the chips. From time to time it comes in a coffee color, which is a guaranteed indication that it’s time to sharpen the chain.

Sharpening methods

To sharpen a tool, of course, turn to the services of craftsmen who not only know what angle of sharpening chainsaw chains is needed, but will also do all the work quickly and at a high professional level. You, the price of such services is not that high, alas, the quality, on the contrary, is very high! This option is suitable for those lovers of wood cutting who do not have the slightest desire to tinker with their own equipment.

Everyone else will be curious to test their strength in such a matter. Masters here always choose automatic equipment, which is characterized by the greatest efficiency and accuracy. Naturally, acquiring it is rarely realistic for any woodcutter, so they make do with different methods. Here among many amateurs there are discussions on the topic of which technique is better to give preference:

manual;
another;
modern.

It makes no sense to ignore the signs of dullness, and at the first need to start sharpening the chainsaw chain

. This will allow you to use it for a long time.

Correct sharpening angle values

The sharpening angle of chainsaw chains is not a constant value and does not depend on the manufacturer or model of equipment. It is selected taking into account the specific tree to be dealt with. Select some average value, but the cutting efficiency may be ineffective. Therefore, you need to choose the right value when taking a specific type of wood seriously.

If we are talking about hard wood, including all trees that have been “frozen” for a long time, it has the highest resistivity. Based on these reasons, the sharpening angle should be reduced. This will virtually avoid the occurrence of vibrations, and the chain will move more smoothly. Small value – 25°.

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Sharpening bases

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Regarding soft types of wood, of course, increase angle , but less than 35°. With all this, productivity will increase significantly. Regarding the sharpening angle of the chain

chainsaws for rip sawing, the value is 10°. In this case, the cut will be very even, and the vibration of the equipment will be minimal. Knowing these features, of course, move on to considering various sharpening methods.

Manual method

This is the most common and smoky method for sharpening chain teeth. Still, the method is not bad when sharpening is done in an area in the forest. Why don’t you constantly transport a whole machine in person?! However, here it is worth being more precise - it is not supposed to be any tool, but a whole set, which includes:

thin ratfil;
round ratfil;
sample.

READ File for Sharpening Wood Saws

They do their duties. The main purpose of the flat tool is to sharpen the depth gauge.

The round ratfil already performs the main operation, making the cutting edges sharper. At the same time, each chain requires a certain tool diameter:

pitch ¼ inch - 4 mm;
pitch 0.325 – 4.8 mm;
3/8 inch pitch – 5.2.4 mm;
pitch 0.404 - 5.5 mm.

For Picco chains, which are equipped with Stihl 180 chainsaws with pitches of 3/8 and a quarter of an inch, a ratfil with a diameter of 4 mm is also suitable. It is important to hold it correctly. With respect to the vertical plane, the ratfil must be positioned strictly perpendicular to the chain, and with respect to the horizontal plane - at a small angle (about 30°). A specific sharpening angle is selected depending on the needs, but at 25-35°.

As opposed to sharpening a chainsaw chain on a machine, the angle here can be set using a template, which is considered a useful assistant. For this purpose, it is equipped with 2 slots: SOFT/S (for soft wood) and HARD/H (for hard wood). The template should be secured above the chain, which gives it the benefits of a limiter.

Just keep in mind that this method is not intended for permanent implementation, but serves only as a way to straighten the blades. The very frequent use of ratfil after some time leads to wear of the chain, and the teeth themselves will be sharpened unevenly.

Bulgarian is not a bad candidate

Professional woodcutters consider this method primitive and labor-intensive. It is used in the very last case, since it is impossible to fix the grinder on the template. Therefore, it is very difficult to achieve control over maintaining a constant sharpening angle and depth.

The tire is firmly fixed in a vice to prevent its mobility during operation. There is no need to attach a new cutting disc to the grinder; it is better to use an old circle 1.5-2 mm wide.

It is better for newcomers not to use this method at all - they will be safer. There is a risk of causing severe injury to yourself. In addition, there is no way to do this without the ability to work with similar equipment.

Modern way

In fact, every non-professional is worried about the question, what is the angle of sharpening the chainsaw chain on the machine? It is impossible to use a ratfil all the time, it is difficult to use an angle grinder, and this procedure is completely unsafe for beginners. There’s nothing you can do about it; you have to use machines that will be both mechanical and electronic.

You will have to work for an “eternity” with a manual machine, but you get pleasure from using an electronic analogue. There are now a variety of models to choose from that provide

correct sharpening angle;
level of work properties;
Highest sharpening speed.

It should also be noted that sharpening is done moderately on all links. What remains for our client to do, what is necessary, is to turn on the equipment to the network, set the required angle, enjoy the spectacle, or get down to business. The price of such machines varies from 4.5 to 4 thousand rubles. However, the most important thing is that it will not be difficult to find the sharpening angle of the Shtil chainsaw chain on the machine.

Although fiddling around with manual equipment is a very long process, it costs several times less. In appearance, the machine resembles a bow saw, only instead of a blade there is a round file. A smaller tooth is also taken into the base. At the same time, 2 or 3 movements are enough for sharpening, then of course move on to the next link. If it is necessary to process the limiter, the ratfil is changed (round is replaced by flat).

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Sharpening rules

Similar areas of each link must be subjected to uniform processing. Otherwise, if there is an excessive selection of metal in any one area, then this ultimately leads to an imbalance, uneven movement and jerking during the operation of the chainsaw. The load on the mechanism increases several times, which again threatens to break the chain.

Therefore, the operation should be carried out at the desired angle of sharpening the chain of the Shtil 180 chainsaw (as well as any other tool) with special care, avoiding unnecessary force. The procedure itself is done one by one, in other words, you need to start with one positive thing and then finish with another.

Sometimes there is an option to monitor whether one cutting edge (or several) is sharpened more sharply. This happens when the chain

On my way, I ran into a knot, which is common when cutting hard wood. Then we need to find which of the teeth has been ground down than just all of them and use it to equalize what remains for our client to do other links.

When sharpening is completed, you should blow the chain with air from a compressor or pump, and then place it in a container with engine oil for a short time. Usually not everyone does this, but it is useful for the chain.

Useful tips

Some useful tips will help keep the equipment in working order and eliminate the risk of injury. Of course, you need to know the correct sharpening angle for the Shtil . However, timely tire care is important:

You need to keep the chain tension under control. Especially if the chainsaw tilts to one side during operation. Poor tension can be dangerous to humans.
Sharpening in a timely manner, without delay, will last a long time for our client. Even if it is expensive, alas, it is better to give preference to electrical equipment.
Frequently lubricate the entire chain, otherwise it may fly off (its speed is about 100 km/h). Who will draw their own conclusions?
Do not use used auto oil in any other way, any product of unknown properties. You should only choose special lubricants. As the best remedy - autol.

Before you start working with a chainsaw, the chain should be broken in. Let it run at low speed for 40-50 seconds. The lubricant will reach every part, and the chains with the sprocket will heat up a little and rub against your loved one.

It is harmful to ignore these professional tips if you want to remain safe and sound!

To the end of the note

The sharpening angle of chainsaw chains is selected taking into account the type of wood that needs to be cut. If you have the time and desire, restoring the functionality of the equipment will not be difficult for you. Even an amateur who has worked as a ratfiler at least once in his life can cope with the service. Naturally, for this purpose you will have to spend from 30 to 700 rubles to purchase a sharpening set. The approximate price for chain sharpening services at any company is 200-300 rubles. The final choice is up to the woodcutter.

Source

Sharpening on a machine

Manually operated installations are effective. In terms of design features, such devices resemble a bow saw. The principle of working with such a machine is somewhat more labor-intensive than that described for the previous method, however, using this device you can perform several options at once:

adjust the proportionality of the upper edges of the cutting elements;
accurately set dimensions and parameters;
When working with a file, 3-4 movements with a file are enough to sharpen one tooth.

The round and flat files provided with the unit can be quickly changed if necessary. Using a manual machine, you will quickly figure out how to properly sharpen a chainsaw chain, without much physical effort or loss of time, restore its functionality and the quality shape of the teeth.

Some expert advice

Experts advise that before starting work, break in the chain a little, that is, spin it at high speeds for no more than 1 minute. To lubricate the chain, it is recommended to soak it in oil. This way the lubricant will get to all the necessary parts, and the sprockets will rub against each other more tightly. The tension can be adjusted when the chain cools down.

Do not forget about regular lubrication, control the chain tension, and never fill the system with used engine oil. Check the cutting depth after a couple of sharpenings.

If you do not pay attention to the fact that the chainsaw chain has become dull, be prepared for the fact that, at best, there will simply be uneven cuts and a high load on a person’s hands. Much worse and more expensive is high fuel and oil consumption, critical - failure of the saw itself. Repairing or buying a new one will cost much more than sharpening the teeth.

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When to sharpen and how to find out about it

Problems that may arise due to untimely maintenance of the circuit:

crooked cuts;
huge pressure;
increased fuel consumption;
faster wear of the leading parts of the chainsaw and a reduction in its service life.

The rate at which teeth become dull depends on the frequency of use of the tool and conditions. It is enough to just catch the ground or stones a couple of times, and you will already need to sharpen the chainsaw chain.