Sharpening the saw chain is carried out almost as independently as sharpening any cutting tool. Due to the fact that the saw teeth have a complex geometry, it is necessary to choose a suitable set of sharpeners. The main difficulty of sharpening is due to the fact that the cutting side and top edges are asymmetrically located, the top has a bevel at a certain angle to the line along which the chain moves. This is precisely what may cause some difficulties.
Due to the complex structure of the teeth of the saw chain, it is necessary to select the necessary tool for sharpening it.
The chip thickness will depend on how much the limiter is installed. If electric saws are used very often, there is a need to sharpen the chain. There are times when sharpening must be done several times a day. Rapid blunting of the saw occurs during contact with the ground. If the saw touches the ground several times, the sawing process will significantly deteriorate.
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Practical recommendations
It is necessary to control the sharpness of the teeth regularly. If the teeth become dull and work continues, the large surface of the cutting elements deteriorates, subsequently sharpening will require more time, it will be necessary to remove the damaged surface. If you can sharpen the chain on time, extend its life.
File position when sharpening the saw chain.
In order to determine the quality of the teeth, it is enough to pay attention to the chips. If it comes out only small, then the chain must be sharpened. Also, this factor can be determined when entering the saw into the cut, if it enters with a slight effort, everything is fine, work can continue. If great effort is required, the saw chain is dull. It is possible to visually assess the condition of the instrument by examining all the elements.
A blunted saw not only performs poorly, it adversely affects the entire tool. Since cutting is carried out with great effort, the voltage diverges throughout the tool. The load on all nodes in the saw increases, productivity decreases, more energy is consumed, while productivity decreases. Such phenomena can harm the tool and cause it to malfunction in the shortest possible time.
The main parameters and elements of the teeth of the saw chain
Cutting link design:
- base;
- tooth scapula;
- depth gauge.
In order to get the maximum result when cutting, all the saw teeth must be sharpened at a certain angle. The rear corner is formed by the back, which falls back at an angle. This part is responsible for the correct cutting of the blade into the wood. The blade forms the rear corner of the blade. This part of the part is intended for lateral cutting of wood chips.
Video: How to Sharpen a Saw Chain at Home
Schematic diagram of the saw tooth.
The end edge of the blade and the sliding surface of the cutting link itself will form a front angle. Saw chains can have this angle of different sizes. But on average, the range is 60-85 °.
The most important angle is the rear corner, it is he who is responsible for the upper blade. There is no exact degree scale for this angle, but in order for it to be sharpened correctly, the above rules must be observed.
The angle of sharpening the saw can be changed, it depends on the specific case. It is important to adhere to the rule: the higher the sharpening angle, the greater the cutting performance, especially when sawing softwood. But despite this, it is necessary that the sharpening angle be in the range of 35-25 °. There is only one exception. this is a saw of a longitudinal cut, in it this angle will be equal to 10 °.
The depth gauge controls the depth at which the upper blade can enter. On average, this indicator is in the range of 0.5-0.8 mm. If the limiter is installed at a great depth, then manifestations of vibration are possible, and the saw can also give a return. Too low indicators will lead to a decrease in productivity.
Basic rules: how to sharpen a chain
It is worth noting immediately that the contour of the inner surface of the tooth is very close in shape to the circumference, so it is worth using a file with a small diameter to sharpen the chain. In addition, the metal from which the teeth are made is soft enough and it is not difficult to sharpen the chain.
Location of the cutting edge of the chain.
It is very important to choose a file in accordance with the size of the chain, because sharpening requires a strict concentration of attention and a firm hand. The tool should protrude 20% relative to the upper edge of the tooth when grinding. If sharpening is carried out in a horizontal plane, the file must be held at a right angle. If sharpening is carried out vertically, the file must be kept at an angle of 30 or 10 °.
The main tools with which to sharpen a saw
The composition of the kit for such work must include:
- two files: round and flat;
- special hook with which the saw is cleaned of sawdust.
In order to make the round file convenient to use, it is installed in a special holder. Thanks to it, you can accurately position the file during the work.
The holder should be mounted on the sharpened tooth, taking into account all the orientation lines that are on it.
Tools for sharpening a saw: round and flat files, a special hook.
During sharpening, the holder itself lies on the stop and the upper edge of the tooth itself. With this arrangement, the file is located underneath. Thanks to the holder, the file is located at the required height. Regardless of the type of saw you can choose the appropriate holder.
The first movements of the file should be carried out on their own, while you do not need to press hard on it. In order for the file to wear evenly during operation, it must be turned regularly. This will prevent the tool from being erased on one side. All teeth are sharpened in one system. For greater convenience, it is recommended to sharpen the teeth of one direction and then another. When sharpening, it is recommended that the tool make approximately the same number of movements and observe the same pressure force. This will make all the cutting teeth of the same shape and length.
Sharpening a chain with a machine: nuances
There are times when it is impossible to sharpen using an ordinary file. Such cases are frequent if the saw was sand, soil or gravel. Further cuts are minimized. You will also need to use a special machine if the chain has been sharpened and not used for a very long time.
Work can be done with a file, but this process will take a lot of time and effort, so the best way out is to use special machines. Such machines may be electrical or mechanical. If there is no experience with such a tool, it is best to seek help from specialists who will quickly and efficiently perform all the work.
After reviewing the above, you now know how to sharpen the chain. Good luck