Graphical Construction Glossary >> Tools. >> Power Tools >> Chain Saw

What a brilliant invention these were. The leap of mind to actually look at the existing technology of chain and sprocket and think about incorporating cutting facets. Certain chain type cutter were seen in the 19Th century, but it was the 1930's when a couple of US inventors gave us the tool that we have today.

I have used these saws now and again, on hire to do specific jobs. think that hire saws have a hard life. People tend to push them too much when they start to get dull. The average hirer does not have a clue how to sharpen a chain and so they whine when the thing gets dull.

There are heaps of instruct ins on the web for sharpening chains, but really for a one off job it is very simple. Get a round chainsaw file or rat tail file from your local hardware store the right size.

Wipe the chain with an oily rag to clean off the main dirt then brush into the links etc to get it as clean as you can.

Set it up somewhere solid.

Leave the chain on the machine and just look at the teeth to see which way they go and just copy what is already there, giving say two or three strokes to each tooth. You have to do one side first and then reposition the machine to do the other side.

Wipe the saw with an oily rag to remove any metal swarf (filings) and then oil it thoroughly and check that it is not too loos.

This I how I do a quick touch up on a hire saw but if I owned the saw I would follow the instruction manual. The main thing is if the saw is not cutting well do not press on. Stop and sharpen it of get it sharpened.