Maintenance (cont.)
Sharpening the Chain
When the cutting edges of the blade
become dull, they can be re-sharpened
with a few strokes of a file.
In order to keep the blade in balance, all
cutting edges must be sharpened equally.
In addition, inspect the chain for correct
adjustment (more frequently with a new
chain). The chain should feel snug but
still pull freely. Refer to the section on
"Adjusting the Chain" for adjustment
procedures.
Correct angle
on top plate
Top plate
Cause
angle less than
File held at less than
recommended
recommended angle.
Result
Slow cutting. Requires extra
effort to cut.
20°
Remedy
File cutters to recommended
angle.
CS_top plate angle less than
Hook in side
Cause
plate cutting
File held too low or the file
edge
was too small.
Result
Rough cutting. Chain grabs.
Cutters dull quickly or won't
hold a cutting edge.
Remedy
Check file size. File cutters to
CHN-02
recommended angle.
18
IMPORTANT!
File all cutters to the same angle and
depth! Unequal filing may cause the saw
to vibrate or cut erratically!
1.
Using a 4.5 mm round file, sharpen all
cutters to a 30° angle.
NOTE:
For consistent filing angles, use a filing
guide
2.
After all cutters are sharpened, use
a depth gauge joiner to measure the
height of each depth gauge.
Correct Filing Technique
Slightly protruding hook
or point (curve on non-
chisel chain)
Top of depth gauge at
correct height below top
plate
Front of depth
gauge rounded
Filing Problems
Cause
Top plate angle
File held at more than
more than
recommended angle.
recommended
Result
Cutting angle is very sharp
but will dull fast. Cutting
50°
action rough and erratic.
Remedy
File cutters to recommended
angle.
CS_top plate angle greater than
originally titled CHN-07
Backslope
Cause
on side plate
File held too high or the file
cutting edge
was too large.
Result
Cutters won't feed into
wood. Slow cutting. Must
force chain to cut. Causes
excessive bottom wear.
Remedy
CHN-03
File cutters at recommended
angle. Check file size.
3.
As required, lower the depth gauges to
a height of 0.6 mm.
4.
After all depth gauges have been
adjusted, use a flat file to round each
depth gauge leading edge to its original
curvature and angle.
Using a filing
gauge.
Using a depth gauge
joiner.
Using a flat file
to round the
front corner on a
depth gauge.
All cutting edges must be sharpened equally
0.025" (0.64 mm)
A
A=B
B
High depth
gauge
CHN-04
CHN-08
Low depth
gauge
CHN-05
CHN-18
0.025"
Cause
Depth gauge never filed.
Result
Slow cutting. Must force
chain to cut. Will cause
excessive wear on the cutter
heel.
Remedy
Lower gauges to
recommended setting.
Cause
Wrong gauge setting or no
gauge used.
Result
Rough cutting. Chain grabs.
Saw won't pull chain through
wood. Excessive wear on the
cutter heel.
Remedy
If depth gauges are too
low, the chain is no longer
serviceable.