How to sharpen a chainsaw blade with an electric sharpener? (5 Steps)

To get top-notch service from your chainsaw, it is important to sharpen the blade regularly. When it comes to sharpening, an electric sharpener is absolutely the best choice.

Electric sharpeners have reduced the limitations of using chainsaw files. The electric sharpeners are more accurate and reliable, but it’s also a sharpening trend. But, many people have a blank idea of how to sharpen a chainsaw blade with an electric sharpener.

You will need:

• Electric sharpener
• Sharpening stone
• User manual of the saw
• Hand gloves and goggles

Know whether your chainsaw blade needs sharpening or not. Then, start by understanding the chainsaw specifications. Unless you do some basic study, you can barely determine the right angle.

The most challenging part is sharpening. Controlling the grinder wheel accurately can bring your desired result. When performing the sharpening process, ensure that you’re equipped with proper safety manners. 

When should you use an electric sharpener? 

Every chainsaw requires sharpening after a certain time. Some facts can remind you about sharpening your chainsaw. Let’s have a look at them. 

• If you notice that your chainsaw isn’t cutting as well as before, then it requires sharpening. This phenomenon indicates the dull teeth of your chainsaw chain.
  
• Check the sawdust of your chainsaw. If you find small chunks, it means the chains are getting dull. You need to sharpen the chainsaw immediately then. However, the large chunks aren’t a problem.
  
• If you hit something hard the previous time, your chainsaw should be sharpened. Without sharpening the chainsaw, you can barely avoid its metallic damage.
  
• When cutting woods, your blade may pull in a specific direction. This means one side of the blade is dull and affects its balance. Sharpening is the ultimate solution here to avoid this trouble. 

How to sharpen a chainsaw blade with an electric sharpener properly

Here you get a complete overview of how to sharpen a chainsaw blade with an electric sharpener. 

Step:1- Understanding your chainsaw

• First, go through all the specifications of your chainsaw blade. These specifications especially include the pitch and gauge of a chainsaw chain. 
• They’re significant to know because they affect the chainsaw blade you can use. Luckily, you can find the specifications on the chainsaw’s box. 
• The manufacturer generally provides a manual with instructions to help you understand the specifications.
• You may also find the chainsaw sharpening angle chart with that.

Step:2- Positioning the chainsaw

• Place your sharpener on the ground in a flat position. It’ll prevent shaking during the operation and ensure preciseness of work. 

• Your chainsaw sharpener should be positioned in a rigid position to make blade installation easier. 
• Better yet, the right positioning provides a convenient angle for a smooth sharpening.

Step:3- Installing the sharpening stone

• You should already know the pitch and gauge of your chainsaw chain. It’s mandatory to install your sharpening stone with the right width. Otherwise, it won’t fit in the gap between the chainsaw blade’s teeth.
• The width of a sharpening stone usually is 3/16 inches. All sharpening stones aren’t suitable for your chainsaw. Make sure which one suits the chain best. 

Step:4- Adjusting the angle and depth

• Put the blade in the chainsaw sharpener’s holder first. Then, focus on adjusting the angle. 
• The angle should be between 0 degrees and 60 degrees. It can go to 80 degrees in some special cases. 
• It’s time to remember the blade tooth angle. Loosen the knob on the blade’s holder to adjust the tooth angle.
• At the same time, you need to adjust the depth. Improper depth adjustment damages the blade teeth, resulting in a damaged blade. So, find a proper depth to prevent the too deep or too shallow cut.

Step:5- The final work: sharpening

• Start by lowering the grinder wheel on the blade’s first tooth. When you can establish contact, some sparks can be observed.
  
• After a while, lift the grinder to check that the tooth’s inner surface has a shiny finish.
  
• If you find everything okay, then you have sharpened your first tooth. Your responsibility is to repeat this process around 60 more times.
  
• Never put a rush while sharpening the tooth on one side of the blade. Once a set of teeth is sharpened, readjusting the grinder is mandatory then. Put the angle back in the opposite direction with the same amplitude. 

How to sharpen Stihl chainsaw with electric sharpener 

Sharpening a Stihl chainsaw with an electric sharpener isn’t something exceptional. You can move according to the aforementioned sharpening process. Here are some tips you should follow on how to sharpen Stihl chainsaw with an electric sharpener. 

• Never start sharpening without proper pre-measuring. It’s important to know first how to use Stihl electric chainsaw sharpener.
  
• It’ll damage the chainsaw tooth and decrease the performance rather than increase it.
  
• Always set the wheel depth accordingly. Otherwise, preventing the grinding wheel from coming into contact with the chain chassis will be difficult.
  
• Avoiding switching back and forth is mandatory while sharpening your Stihl chain. Maintain the sequence for both right hand and left hand cutting teeth. 

Safety and other Important tips 

While dealing with a chainsaw, you must emphasize your safety. Neglecting safety measures can lead your life to death. So, here are some safety tips you should follow while sharpening a chainsaw blade. 

• Wear a pair of rubberized hand gloves. It’ll protect your palm from any unwanted damage.
  
• Safety glasses are important to protect your eyes. The sharpening area might be full of messes. That’s why extra protection is always appreciated.
  
• The sharpening process is slightly noisy, which can injure your hearing capability. Therefore, wear hearing protection as well.
   
• Self-concentration is the best safety tip for you. Unless you’re focused on your work, it can damage your fingers or any other part. 

Bonus tip: Keep an additional chain in the box

Sharpening will bring the effectiveness of the saw back. But it will require some time that you may not want to waste during a project. So have an additional chain in the box. Swap the chain when you find your existing chain is dull or not performing well.

It will take around 2 minutes to swap the chain. But this will save your time sharpening during working on the project. Some people prefer having 3-4 chains. Once all the chains get dull, you can use the electric sharpener to sharpen all of them and get back to work.

FAQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PbdSXqC_dc

Conclusion

Sharpening your chainsaw blade was never an easy task. You can’t do well if you have a shallow idea of the different chainsaw p. Now, it’s crystal clear how to sharpen a chainsaw blade with an electric sharpener. If you have used chainsaw files in previous days, it’s time to try something new.

You can easily understand now if your chainsaw blade is dull. Once you review chainsaw specifications and position it, the initial part is done. The rest you must do is adjust the angle and depth for precise sharpening.

However, chainsaw blades are dangerous. It can generate deep wounds. So, stay alert while using it. You should wear protective equipment like gloves, goggles, ear protection, etc. Once you’re concentrated and following the right sharpening manner, you’re completely safe.