Chainsaws make cutting wood a cinch, but you'll soon be stuck if you don't know how to sharpen the chain. Yes, you can do it yourself!

Introduction

Chainsaws are great tools, and keeping them in good working order is vital to woodcutting success. All chains go dull with heavy use, so it's important to know how to sharpen the chain teeth.

You'll know it's time to sharpen your chain when it starts cutting slower and producing small, fine chips instead of wide, flat ones.

Chain sharpening doesn't have to be difficult or complex. As a DIYer, you can tackle it two ways: by hand with files and guides, or with an electric chain sharpener. I spent years sharpening with files and guides, and although this method works fine, it's unnecessarily slow. Electric sharpeners give better, more precise results in a fraction of the time.

You don't need any practice before starting. Just follow these step-by-step instructions and you'll be good to go.

Tools Required

Materials Required

• 2 bolts with nuts and washers that fit through the mounting holes in the base of your chain sharpener