So how do you sharpen a dull chain saw? With a chain saw sharpener of course!

What is a Chain Saw Sharpener?

A chain saw sharpener is an machine that sharpens the individual teeth of your chainsaw.  They come in a variety of styles from hand held files, attachments for a dremel, to a self contained unit that attaches to a workbench.

There are two basic parts to this sharpening machine, something that holds on to the chain, and the part that sharpens it.  These parts will differ depending on which model or type of chain saw sharpener you own. Some have small grinding bits and others have full grinding wheels.

There are variations of grinding wheels and they are proportionate to the size of the chain teeth on the chain of the chain saw. When the chain, which is held in place by a securing lever, is ready to be sharpened the grinding wheel is lowered using a lever. If you are using a dremel tip it will not be secured in such a way but a piece is provided to keep the angle you are sharpening correct.

So basically on a little bit larger scale it is the same process you see any good chef go through with a knife. You grind the teeth of the chain back to a point using a grinding wheel. A chain saw being a little larger than a chef’s knife it is mounted and run by electricity, but the idea is the same.