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Honda Filter Finder

Chainsaw Sharpening Errors and Damage

Laura Published on Dec 13, 2021 View Comments

Chainsaw Sharpening Errors and Damage

If you find there are chatters, bounces, wanders or generic performance issues in your saw chain, it should be checked for the potential sharpening errors.

Condition Sharpening error Fix
Chain Snatches in Cut The sharpening angle is too acute (narrow) Use filing aid to maintain sharpening angle
  Hooked side plate angle Use filing aid, hold the file higher and use the right (larger) diameter file
  Different side plate angles Use the filing aid and pay attention to uniform pressure
  Different cutter lengths Find master cutter and file back all cutters to same length
  Depth gauge setting too wide If it’s possible, file back the cutters. If you cannot the saw chain must be replaced
  Different depth gauge settings Find the shortest depth gauge, file back all cutters to suit the shortest depth gauge setting, and correct all other depth gauges
Poor cutting performance Sharpening angle too obtuse (wide) Use the filing aid to maintain sharpening angle
  Backsloping side plate angle Use the filing aid, hold file lower, use right (smaller) diameter file
  Depth gauge setting insufficient Lower depth gauges, ensure you use the filing gauge that matches chain pitch
Cut wanders Different side plate angles Use the filing aid, ensure you pay attention to the uniform pressure
  Different filing angles Use the filing aid, ensure you pay attention to correct sharpening angle on all cutters
  Different cutter lengths Find the master cutter and file back all cutters to same length
  Different depth gauge settings Find the shortest depth gauge, file back all cutters to suit shortest depth gauge setting, correct all other depth gauges
Increased risk of kickback Hooked side plate angle Use filing aid, hold file higher, use right (larger) diameter file
  The depth gauge is setting too wide If possible, file back cutters, the saw chain must otherwise be replaced
Sharpening angle too acute (narrow) Sharpening angle too acute (narrow) Use the filing aid to maintain sharpening angle
  Backsloping side plate angle Use the filing aid, hold file lower, use right (smaller) diameter file
  Hooked side plate angle Use the filing aid, hold file higher, use right (larger) diameter file

Sharpening Angle Too Acute (Narrow)

Error Wrong sharpening angle
Effects Cutters bite too deeply into wood, snag and stick, reduced life, high load on saw chain
Remedy
  • Use filing aid to maintain sharpening angle
  • Hooked Side Plate Angle

    Error File not held properly, wrong file diameter
    Effects Chain snatches in cut, short life, increased risk of kickback
    Remedy
  • Use filing aid
  • Hold file higher
  • Use right (larger) diameter file
  • Sharpening Angle Too Obtuse (Wide)

    Error Wrong sharpening angle
    Effects Poor cutting performance, high feed effort required
    Remedy
  • Use filing aid to maintain sharpening angle
  • Backsloping Side Plate Angle

    Error File not held properly, wrong file diameter
    Effects Poor cutting performance, high feed pressure required, greater physical effort and wear rate
    Remedy
  • Use filing aid
  • Hold file lower
  • Use right (smaller) diameter file
  • Different Side Plate Angles

    Error File not held properly, uneven pressures
    Effects Cut wanders, chain snatches in cut
    Remedy
  • Use filing aid
  • Pay attention to uniform feed pressure
  • Different Cutter Lengths

    Error Different amounts of material removed during filing
    Effects Cut wanders, chain snatches in cut, poor cutting performance
    Remedy
  • Find master cutter and file back all cutters to same length
  • Different Filing Angles

    Error File not held properly
    Effects Cut Wanders
    Remedy
  • Use filing aid
  • Pay attention to correct sharpening angle on all cutters
  • Depth Gauge Setting Insufficient

    Error Depth gauge setting not checked after sharpening
    Effects Poor cutting performance although chain is sharp
    Remedy
  • Lower depth gauges, using filing gauge that matches chain pitch
  • Depth Gauge Setting Too Wide

    Error Depth gauge setting too wide
    Effects Chain snatches in cut, increased risk of kickback and chain breakage
    Remedy
  • If possible, file back cutters, the saw chain must otherwise be replaced
  • Different Depth Gauge Settings

    Error Different amounts of material removed during filing
    Effects Chain snatches in cut, chain wanders
    Remedy
  • Find shortest depth gauge
  • File back all cutters until they suit the shortest depth gauge setting
  • Correct all depth gauges
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