Chainsaws have been around for a long – by now, it has emerged as a need of every homeowner who has a garden or backyard to maintain. Although it is a versatile machine that possesses the ability to deliver the job even in harsh circumstances, still it requires maintenance which includes the sharpness of the chainsaw chain as basic need.
The chain is among the most important components of a chainsaw which directly impacts the efficiency of the process. If the chain isn’t sharped well, the probability of kickbacks increases which is a major safety threat to the user. Meanwhile, if the chain of the chainsaw isn’t taken care of for a long, there remains only one option which is to replace the chain with a new one; this approach is costlier, and more time taking.
Usually, there are many methods you may practice to sharpen the chain of your chainsaw such as with file and electric sharpener; however, I personally found the sharpening of the chainsaw with Dremel a bit more convenient than other sharpening methods.
Therefore, to maintain the efficiency of your chainsaw, sharp the chain every time it reaches its recommended limit. Go through the following simple steps to know how to sharpen a chainsaw with Dremel, and get your chainsaw sharpened in minutes.
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- Sharpening of Chainsaw with Dremel?
Sharpening of Chainsaw with Dremel?
Whether you are sharpening a chainsaw with Dremel, or you use any other method to sharpen your chainsaw, it is inevitable to ascertain if your chainsaw truly needed sharpening or not.
Before I move to tell you about the steps involved in the sharpening of the chainsaw with Dremel, let me tell you about a few indications that help you know that your chainsaw needs sharpening;
- Chainsaw becomes slower while cutting
- Edges appear to be dull and ineffective
- Cuts wood in an irregular pattern
- Kickbacks are more frequent than normal
- Corrosive chainsaw that affects cutting capacity
If you come across any of the aforementioned indications, it is time to sharpen your chainsaw.
So, let us have a look at how to sharpen a chainsaw with Dremel;
1. Ensure that Power Supply is Off
Chainsaws might turn into horrific power tools in no time – so, care is necessary while dealing with any kind of chainsaw.
Whether you are using an battery-powered, electric or gas-powered chainsaw, make sure that there is no supply of power to the chainsaw, and chain brake is engaged.
Once you are sure that the chainsaw isn’t connected to any type of power source, you can move to the next step.
2. Inspect Bar and Chain Thoroughly
If you are a regular user of chainsaws, it is quite possible that sharpening isn’t the solution to your problem; instead, the replacement of the chain or bar may appear to be a more suitable option.
Yes, this could happen; especially, when you do not inspect the chain and bar of your chainsaw for a long time. If the chain or the bar of your chainsaw is too damaged, it will not work to merely sharpen it.
For instance, if the bar is bent or it has cracks on it, there is no other solution than replacing it. Similarly, if the chain is too damaged, there is no other solution than replacing it with a new one.
So, it is necessary to check if the sharpening would work or not; otherwise, there is no meaning or utilizing your time and energy for something which is not fruitful.
3. Disengage the Bar from Chainsaw
Once you are sure that sharpening is the solution to your problem, you can move to the next step in which you need to disengage the bar from the chainsaw. For this, there is a lever on the side of the chainsaw, pressing this lever, you can separate the bar from the chainsaw.
If it is stuck, you gently use a hammer to get the bar out of the chainsaw. Be careful, the hammer must not hit the chain – it may damage the chain of the chainsaw.
4. Sharpen the Chain Using Dremel
After separating the bar from the chainsaw, here starts the real game. To sharpen the chain with Dremel, follow the steps below;
- Adjust chainsaw with vice or workbench – it will help you firmly holding the chainsaw
- Having adjusted the other end with vice or workbench too, attach wire wheel on the Dremel.
- Set the speed of Dremel; it shouldn’t be too low or too high. 10 to 20 rpm is suitable speed
- Turn the Dremel ON, and keep on rotating chainsaw with one hand as you move forward
- Grind all built-up material well with Dremel
Meanwhile, if you notice that sharpening wouldn’t be effective, you may also consider the option of replacing the chainsaw chain.
5. Clean the Grooves of the Chain
The depth of grooves is very important to let the chainsaw perform its duty perfectly. If there is debris or some kind of dust in grooves, it may reduce its depth which ultimately affects the performance of the chainsaw. So, the bar is already separate from the chainsaw, and it is a good time to clean the grooves of the chain as well.
You can use a brush to get all the dirt and debris out of the grooves. This is how you can secure your chain from being dull faster again.
6. Add Lubrication into Chain Grooves
The addition of lubrication is another important step that could truly ease the movement of the chain on the guide bar providing the chainsaw with the convenience of delivering the job in an easier way. Meanwhile, lubrication further reduces the chances of corrosion which is among the leading causes of the dullness of chainsaws.
There are many lubricants available in the market; however, lubrication oils must be added considering the nature of the weather. Different lubrication is recommended for different types of weather. Above all, there is a common mistake that people commit – they use WD40 as a lubricant; in reality, it is not a lubricant, but a solvent used to resolve rust.
7. Engage the Bar Back with Chainsaw
After cleaning the grooves of your chainsaw chain, this is the time to engage the bar again with a chainsaw. For this purpose, hold the bar firmly until it snaps back into its place in the chainsaw. Make sure that it has set on its position.
8. Check Tension in the Chain
Before you start using your chainsaw for cutting, it must be ensured that there is enough tension in the chain. It shouldn’t be too loose or too tight; in both of these cases, the chainsaw will not be able to perform the job accurately, and the safety of the user will also be at stake.
Take a flat-headed screwdriver, insert it into the tensioning pin, and adjust the tension in the chain of the chainsaw.
9. Test the Chainsaw
Having followed all the aforementioned steps, you are there to test your chainsaw to check its performance. Hopefully, it will be in much better working condition than before. If there is any malfunctioning, check the chainsaw again accordingly.
Final Words
Chainsaws are able to withstand harsh circumstances, yet require great care to remain in working condition for long. In this article, I have explained everything in detail about how to sharpen a chainsaw with Dremel, and I hope that you would have acquired answers to all your related questions.
If you still have any question in your mind, you can ask me.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can I sharpen chainsaw chain with Dremel?
Yes, you can sharpen the chain of your chainsaw using Dremel. Adjust your chainsaw in workbench or vice and set the speed of Dremel at lower RPM from 10 to 20rpm. Use Dremel on the edges on the chain unless they get shaped enough.
Q2. Can I use Dremel as a saw?
No, you cannot use Dremel as a saw. If you try to use Dremel in the place of saw, you will surely get the Dremel damaged. So, it is recommended to use Dremel only to sharpen the edges of chain.