Chainsaw/polesaw sharpening

[Mikey D]

Help needs chainsaw users @8ob et al
hired a poleaw today , well tried it earlier and it would hardly cut balsa wood
No chain oil coming thru and blunter as a blunt thing .

They must think it's ok to send them out as long as the engine runs

So I intend to go to my local Stihl dealer and get a file to sharpen it

Any tips on what size file and or a quick guide to sharpen it please , ?

 

[Mikey D]

 

[anto44]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/174355794667
These pferd chainsaw files are really good, pferd also manufactures these sold as stihl.
You need to know the chain size when ordering.
Or you could just use a standard round chainsaw file, it's important to use the right diameter.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I'd be calling the hire co

Should have had a fresh chain fitted and the old one sharpened.

 

[Barking Mat]

Google how to sharpen a chainsaw.

As anto said you need the right diameter file, and the technique.

But it the oil pumps not feeding, stop, and address that issue first.

You'll probably need Mr Tickle length arms too, ( that bits purely humour.)

 

[mtt.tr]

Oregon files are plenty good, top of my head cant remember the file size for peko chains.

To file you want the top of the file almost level with the tooth have to file angled in the correct direction you might see a scribed line on the chain this is the correct file angle.

Make you you are not cutting into the tie strap of the chain.

 

[Barking Mat]

Straight back to the hire company and ask if they're having a laugh.

Sorry, missed, 'I hired this.'

 

[Barking Mat]

Blunt and no oil feed, tut, tut.

You did put oil in it I take?

 

[James1979]

The stihl Pico is a 4mm file, same as a top handle if I recall correctly? The dealer will advise.

As above I’d take it back. May have just slipped through the net. Normally they put a new chain on and charge you well for it on each hire.

doesn’t hurt to get a file and learn how to sharpen as it’ll probably dull when you’re using it. Stihl chain is easiest to sharpen as its 30 deg on one plane only. The wear indicator will guide you roughly for the angle. Husky chain is a two plane thing and it’s a pest to do by hand / eye

 

[DAPPH]

Buy a new chipper chain for it and put the old one back on when you return the saw? Look on line as to how to tension the chain and make sure you use proper chainsaw oil not engine oil .

 

[James1979]

If it’s s proper hire place they should have covered the basics and given you a manual and tool kit. I was told it’s a legal requirement. Same as plant has to have the manual in the cab by law

 

[anto44]

That's probably going to be a 5/32 file for that size chain. If it's a hire unit throw it back to them, touching up a good chain to keep it sharp is easy, trying to re sharpen a blunt chain is a pain in the....
If it's not getting any oil there's no point sharpening it until that's fixed. You'll probably find the bar is clogged up with sawdust from lack of maintenance blocking the oil hole in the chain.
I was always told a blunt chainsaw is way more dangerous than a sharp one

 

[Seadog]

I'd take it back straight away. Don't waste your time. The last chainsaw I hired I couldn't cut a straight line. The blade and bar was so knackered the chain just flopped from side to side.

 

[tom2207]

not wanting to sound obvious , but is the chain on the right way round , just in case they had it off and sharpened it before you got it , and some one put it on backwards in a rush ....

 

[Barking Mat]

Buy a new chipper chain for it and put the old one back on when you return the saw? Look on line as to how to tension the chain and make sure you use proper chainsaw oil not engine oil .

what's wrong with engine oil?

known tree surgeons use used oil from when they service their cars / vans.

Please feel free to tell me why this is a no no.

I sling whatever oil I can find in the chain lube reservoir.

Never had any problems....

 

[armalites]

I've been using Stihl Easyfile for a while now and it's brilliant. I get a much more consistant edge with it and it adjusts the depth gauges at the same time.

Probably not ideal if you only want it to sharpen and hire saw though and it should have been sharpened before you got it.

Trailers,chainsaws,wives and girlfriends..... never let anyone borrow them they always get .........

 

[Seadog]

Chain oil is sticky. You remember sticky, don't you

 

[Barking Mat]

Chain oil is sticky. You remember sticky, don't you

Yeah, but it all lubricates.

do like a bit of lubrication me.....

 

[armalites]

what's wrong with engine oil?

known tree surgeons use used oil from when they service their cars / vans.

Please feel free to tell me why this is a no no.

I sling whatever oil I can find in the chain lube reservoir.

Never had any problems....

Waste oil is a hazardous substance and makes a mess, chain oil is designed to do a specific job. Many tree surgeons use bio degrageable stuff now

Thats the second time I've heard of someone using old engine oil, if someone put old engine oil in any of mine I would empty the contents on the drivers seat of their vehicle.

I just don't get it, the right stuff isn't even expensive, sure it's more expensive than free but still.

 

[tom2207]

what's wrong with engine oil?

known tree surgeons use used oil from when they service their cars / vans.

Please feel free to tell me why this is a no no.

I sling whatever oil I can find in the chain lube reservoir.

Never had any problems....

I think its to do with the environment , I use waste ol , its thinner and it flies off a wee bit , so i just use more of it ,, great if your cheap like me , and as for the environment , If im cutting down trees , a splash of oil will make little odds.
Im not the quiche eating , shandy drinking , futon wetting ethnic yogurt weaver type any ways.