How to sharpen a Chainsaw by hand

Hi. In this video I'm showing how to sharpen a chainsaw by hand. I'm using a Husqvarna file block I really like them I don't mind the stihl files with the holder I just find these Husqvarna ones more accurate. The chain teeth were badly damaged on one side that's why i used a Vernier calliper to get the teeth right on this occasion. I hope this video helps you out with sharpening you're own chainsaw chain. Check out my channel For weekly uploads. please like and subscribe. thanks for watching
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This help support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!
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Husqvarna 505698125 H25 325 Saw Chain Sharpening Set, File Set, 4.8 mm
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Husqvarna File Kit 3/8" MINI
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Universal Tool Belt Kit
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Stihl 0000 884 0180 Integra Light Helmet Set
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Stihl Genuine 5605 007 1027 Stihl Filing Kit for 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch Picco Chain
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STIHL Chainsaw Bag
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Stihl Chain Saw
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[@danturner3575]

Good video thank you . Cutter length don’t matter though - sharp tooth and properly set rakers and you’re good 👍

[@rodneycollman169]

I swear by these Husky Roller file guides the last 2 winters the time I saved sharpening chains was terrific on average under 5 mins sharpen and tighten chain could never do that with any other tool as accurate thanks for the very good video Calvin

[@georgedavall9449]

Words of caution boys and girls: Full chisel chains HAVE to have a sharp point, regardless of length! These Husky roller gauges work pretty dang skippy, if ONE uses them correctly, not like in this video. No offense towards the creator here; Keep the file going evenly across the rollers, and the proper angle will be maintained. Secondly, these Husky gauges tend to keep the file just a tad high on the tooth, and raises the gullet up a tad, so i run my file through, and then take the roller gauge off, and make a couple passes freehand, which creates a more uniform gullet. Don’t believe it, try it! YMMV Just FYI Peace!

[@csmith563]

Thank you. Haven't seen a video that clearly showed how to file rakers with the Husqvarna guide, Until Now.. I like that guide too, works well. Will have to get a Vernier gauge....

[@CalvinThomas05]

Hi C Smith. Thanks for the comments. I'm glad this video has helped you out. Cheers Calvin

[@thomasgronek6469]

thanks for the video. the tooth's length doesn't matter, cutting it back is a waste of a good tooth, make it sharp, and set the depth gauge to the proper height.

[@Drottninggatan2017]

No need to bring them all to the same length. If one or a couple are shorter makes no difference at all. And what if you hit another stone? It will probably damage another tooth, and if you kept it long you can now file it back to make it sharp again, without shortening all of them again. In the long run things will even itself out.

[@georgedavall9449]

Excellent comment. Who da phunk uses a vernier gauge to measure the teeth? It is time consuming enough, if one files by hand, no need to add unnecessary complications. The creator here is worried about taking too much off the rakers, but files them down using his flat gauge, removing material from it in the process? This will only cause him to take more and more off the rakers. Wow. Peace

[@heavysnow8616]

Good job! A sharp chain is critical along with raker height. You will put much less strain on your saw, cuts more efficiently and is much safer. Spend the few minutes sharpening or at least checking the chain before starting work. Don’t forget to check for chain damage that could cause failure, replace as needed. Never operate a saw with a questionable chain. Finally, adjust chain to proper tension. Your saw will treat you right.

[@johndunbarveryhelpful5141]

Very helpful video

[@CalvinThomas05]

Hi John . Thanks for the comments. Cheers Calvin

[@muratyilmaz4848]

güzel ürün

[@wildwoodtop]

will this depth gauge work with low profile chain 3/8 pitch

[@larrym1112]

Thank you. Very helpful video.

[@CalvinThomas05]

Hi Larry. Thanks for the comments. I'm glad this video helped you. Cheers Calvin

[@jesseascriven]

Great video! Thanks!

[@CalvinThomas05]

Hi jscriv. Thanks for the comments. Cheers, Calvin

[@philipmcdonough7683]

Great video,good tool with very good skills also,thank you.

[@CalvinThomas05]

Hi. Many thanks Philip Mcdonough for the comments. All the best, Calvin

[@robinbanks183]

Excellent informative video there Calvin. Great idea using the vernier to check the tooth size *******

[@CalvinThomas05]

Hi ianoch. Many thanks for the comments. I'm glad this video helped you out. Yes the Vernier works great to get the teeth accurate. Cheers Calvin

[@dentondunn4346]

Do these work on the Stihl chains as well? I run Oregon bar and Stihl 33RS Chain on my 372xp

[@MrDweb]

Not much point getting all the teeth down to the same size if they ain`t sharp.There`s a few teeth you`ve filed that I can see aren`t sharp.The roller guide is a handy job though.

[@georgedavall9449]

Indeed Darren, great comment

[@ocrun6765]

surprised it doesn't have a guide for the angle. I notice your angle drifting on each pass.

[@georgedavall9449]

It does OC, you run the file across the rollers as ‘Random Task’ notes below in their comment.

[@thanxx]

man after my own heart. love the OCD on the chains me :) my pals laugh at me when i get the Vernier gauge out lol

[@CalvinThomas05]

thanxx . Hi. Thanks for the comment Lol. That's right I believe it's got to be smack on to work correctly. All the best Calvin

[@WaltsTreeVideos]

Just my 2cents !!! Hey guys just because you have 1 or 2 teeth that are damaged or dull from hitting something like a rock or wire fence, you don't have to shorten all the teeth the same length just to match that one tooth... sounds weird I know ...skip the very damaged tooth or teeth this time your sharpening and sharpen all the others like you normally would.. then next time you sharpen the same chain again ...you sharpen those few teeth then and then all the teeth will be the same length some what ....it just adds more life to the chain , instead of sharpening all the long teeth down just to match a few damaged shorter teeth .....trust me the saw will cut the same as if you sharpened all the teeth ...not every tooth cuts every-time when that chain rotates through the wood!!! Great video !!!

[@kevinblythe2192]

Thanks for the video. Just one question. Using the depth gauge with the flat file that way seems to remove a lot of metal from the gauge itself. How often to do have to replace the depth gauge before it starts to give inaccurate readings?

[@georgedavall9449]

Good comment and pertinent question, Kevin. Ive tried most all the gauges, and always come back to Oregon’s depth gauge and file. I check each depth gauge (raker) of the chain, and if it needs to be filed, I remove the gauge, and file the raker down, and recheck it, thus avoiding wear and tear on the checking gauge. It just takes time and patience and practice, when it comes to hand filing.

[@petesmit33]

Really useful Video thank you Can I just ask in the Husqvarna Kit there are the Round files and a Flat file Is the Flat File used only to reduce the depth gauge?

[@CalvinThomas05]

Hi Peter. Thanks for the comments. Yes the flat file is only to reduce the depth gauge. I use Husqvarna file blocks for the main teeth and I use a stihl depth gauge tool with which ever make files. I hope I haven't confused you too much lol. Cheers Calvin

[@deernutOO]

Yes, only for depth of raker

[@deernutOO]

Skip the use of the vernier measurement.. do as Bryan says.. sharpen 'til sharp, much quicker and just as good. Keep watch of the angle be it 30 deg or whatever, just so they are the same both right and left teeth.

[@CalvinThomas05]

Hi deernut00 I think people miss understand what I'm doing here . I hit a stone with this chain when I was cutting a root out and badly damaged the chain. The chain was new so I wanted to get it smack on with the vernier. That's the only reason I'm using it. It cuts perfect now. I don't use it any other time. Thanks for the comments. Cheers Calvin

[@randomtask9029]

You're filing at an angle. Should be filing in a straight line parallel through the gauge. Nice high spec calipers though👍

[@rafon.]

He's doing it right. The jig is already angled, so you have to stroke perpendicular to rollers. Look at an imprint on the rollers, they're dead center. Only if you read the manual...

[@wollywolly2734]

@@rafon. looks agle off to me also

[@Ben-fk9ey]

@@rafon. The print on the rollers isn't a guide put there by husqvarna it's just the filing making it, so it can be wrong. The jig also isn't already angled, it just sets the right height for you, the user still has to file at the correct angle.

[@hardworker8030]

Have you got a video on how much tension the chain should have.

[@CalvinThomas05]

Hi Hard Worker. I have got one or two videos on here. here's one kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6SbmnVsot6JiNk Hope it helps you out. Cheers Calvin

[@julianalderson6996]

Im not sure the tooth lenght actually matters that much. Altho the rakers do have to be even. Thanx

[@rogerwhiting9310]

I cant find a roller guide sharpener for my Echo c350. It uses a 5/32 file to sharpen it. Thanks

[@kenclark3953]

So you use the Husqvarna tool to sharpen the teeth, but not to file down the depth gauges. Is there some reason you don't use it for the depth gauges too?

[@CalvinThomas05]

Hi Ken Clark. Yes I like the stihl version of depth gauge tool over the stihl because I think the Husqvarna one takes too much off. But I like the Husqvarna file tool over stihl method on the main teeth sharpening. That's the way I roll lol. Cheers, Calvin

[@deernutOO]

Depth quide at 4:22 was not quite correct.. as it works without changing sides. Either hardwood or softwood notch with the depth guide (raker) in the notch will work for every tooth. This is a great filing guide. Use it all the time on Stihl chain, just a bit tight fit.

[@CalvinThomas05]

Hi deernutOO. Ok thanks for the info. I will look at it again to see what I was doing wrong. Cheers Calvin

[@gtw9998]

Hi can you use this tool on any make chainsaws with same pitch chain

[@CalvinThomas05]

Hi G TW. Yes you can use any brand of file with any brand chainsaw. Like you say as long as the pitch is the same. Cheers Calvin

[@JDMARLO]

Do people recommend these roller guides? Ive never used a guide but does it make a chain easier/quicker top sharpen?

[@CalvinThomas05]

Hi Jonathan. Yes these roller guides are great they really help with keeping the file at the correct angle. I used stihl files in the holder ( You have to hold flat yourself ) for many years which were ok but i definatly find the Husqvarna roller guide ones easier to use. Cheers Calvin

[@wollywolly2734]

I have recently purchased a file guide set from Husky. I have sharpened 5 chains now. OLLLY COW what a huge improvement on consistency and sharpness!!!!! Big huge snowstorm of noodles. I see no need that all the teeth are the same length within reason. I didn't make the teeth all the same and my chains cut super using the guide. Depth of rakers left to right seemed to be critical though Please pay very close attention to depth gage side to side. I filed the teeth until the damage was gone or correct feel was achieved. Feel is critical

[@OlyLowe]

Is it me or does the husqvarna roller file guide not fit over the stihl chain links?

[@polaristech101]

I've noticed that as well. It only seems to fit Husqvarna chain properly.

[@roadwarrior8560]

I have a Stihl farm saw, how do I know which sharpening kit to but to suit it?

[@ampatriot]

Throw the Stihl in the scrap pile and buy an older Husqvarana

[@deernutOO]

Use the depth gauge on the combi tool, as it will work for the individual tooth, not a group of two or more.

[@CalvinThomas05]

Hi . I can't get along with the husqvarna depth gauge. I use the stihl one for that bit. When I compare the two the husqvarna gauge takes to much off unless I'm doing it wrong. Cheers Calvin

[@julianalderson6996]

Like that guide but like buckin billy rekons ya cant get the gullet.

[@JRB22144]

You're telling me that if you have one damaged cutter you file the damaged one down and then all the remaining undamaged ones down to the length of the damaged cutter rather than file the damaged cutter to be shorter than the remaining ones. Seems like that's a huge waste of chain life.

[@MaiMunah-eh9kz]

If i got to sharpen chain 30' i need 1-2hour to finish🤣🤣

[@mbmcclure3579]

🙈

[@onthelake9554]

This wrong information. Tooth length doesn't matter at all . Don't file your good teeth away for no reason . Make the teeth sharp , set the depth gauges correctly , all that matters . And don't file your gauge while lowering the raker , gauge is for checking not filling . Yet another instructional video that doesn't know how to do it .