Hey dony, I noticed you had the muffler off the free poulan 4620, you should do a muffler mod on it, it made a huge difference on mine. I opened the hole on the back side of the muffler up just a bit and richened up the carb a bit and it cuts a million times better. I think it would help alot of people get alittle more for there money.
I was supposed to do ajob today,and my chain was very dull. I went to the customers house, and I could'nt even cut through a 1 1/2" piece of wood, it would'nt even cut through butter! I went and tried to find a chain for my particular saw, but I had no luck locally, I got depressed and angry. I decided to check you tube and see about chain sharpening. I came across your video, and having watched your videos on snowblowers I knew I could trust you. I went into the basement, tried it. It worked!!!
Good video but you may notice that there is another number on your guide 10. So you should file at a 30 degree angle but also it should be 10 degrees down.
DonyBoy73... thanks for sharing... Running Husky 55 Rancher with 4 chains to keep me going but you know how it is, they are always in shop when you need them [getting sharpened]... will make investment in proper tools [shown in video] so when in field with no extra chains I can at least finish the task at hand.
Again, Thanks for taking the time & effort to provide an informative video such as this...
@brobb6 no prob man, you will save a lot of money and time doing this yourself. you can also get them professionally done once in a while to bring the edge back
To those asking about the direction in which Dony is filing (inside to out). This is the prefered direction by many as it is said to increase file life. The file is cutting the softer steel on the inside of the tooth, then, yes, cutting the chrome plating last. This will leave a small burr that wears away while cutting wood. Filing from the outside in gives better results as no burr is formed, but quickly dulls the file as the harder chrome wears out the file teeth.. I prefer the way Dony shows.
Great vid, Dony. Thanks for posting a well thought out, informative look at manual chain saw sharpening. A couple tips however. Be careful not to bang the file guide into the tooth at the end of the stroke, and use a little less pressure. A new file (and you should always use a good, sharp file as they only cost about $1 ea.) will take a lot of metal even if only light pressure is applied and will give more consistent results as it's easier to hold your angles if the file isn't lurching about.
Superb video friend.....First time I´ve ever sharpened a saw today and afterwards it cuts so much better. I learn a lot of skills from videos thanks to people like you sharing their knowledge.....Thank you very much and greetings from sunny southern Spain...!!!
By FAR the best video on how to sharpen a chainsaw chain. I was a bit unsure about a few things but this has shown be everything I needed to know. Thanks!
One of the very best instruction videos on youtube I have ever seen! Keep up the good work and thanks for the help. I am a do it your-selfer and I would have no idea how to sharpen the chain the right way without help.
nice tutorial!! I'm getting ready to hit the woods for deer season and the trick for sharpening in the field was very good/helpful- makes great sense!! one quick question? how do you decide on size and grit on the file choices?? where is best place to buy these very useful tools to keep in saw case??? thanks
Thanks for posting this...I was wondering why I was having problems and decided to view a how to just to see what I was doing wrong! and I forgot to file gown the Guide... Thank you so much for posting this.
best video ever on chain sharpening. I thought I knew how to sharpen one until now. THANKS. Now, how about one on the bar. Can you repair one when the bar get worn and the chain has side to side movement
Would 't you pull the the spark plug cap Don before sharpening ? great video . Have to sharpen my STILH up today later. Was hoping it would start it did with some star tron added in just a drop, glad I had emptied it brofore storing. cheers Pete
Budy, the best videos of all in youtube about sharpening a chainsaw, you say every point you have to be aware, as safety, angles, etc, was really useful for me and pretty easy to understand. Greetings!
How do you determine the "size" of the chain, to make sure you are using the proper size file? Should it be listed somewhere in the manual, or on the saw? Thanks.
@flipwiggins If you can't find the proper file size for your chain, find a file that fits VERY SNUG in the arch on the underside of the tooth. A file that gives you any "play" or loose movement in the arch is too small. A file too large will ruin the arch. Look for the measurement on the file, and use the same measurement of file next time.
I'm a DIY chainsawer. I quickly (10 seconds each) looked at 5 videos on how to sharpen a saw. I saw yours for 2 seconds and knew that this was the one. Thanks for keeping it down to business and giving littlde tips throughout. Cheers
Regarding the burrs, they wouldn't be visible to the naked eye; one would need magnification to see them. My grandfather, who was a tool & die maker for GE in the 1940's-50's, told me that - when filing or machining - you always leave burrs. So you should choose your direction so you don't leave burrs on your desired sharp edge, because they break off easily leaving a dulled edge.
I don't know if he was right, but that made sense, so that's why I'm asking. (He lived to age 98, but is passed.)
@MF0196 with all his experience i am sure he is right. often if the wrong size of file is used .i.e. too small it can leave burrs, i have never had a problem but thanks for the tips
Good overview, but I have a question: By filing in the direction shown, wouldn't that leave the burrs hanging off the cutting edges, where they would be broken off (by the wood), and dulling more quickly than if you filed so that you leave any burrs on the trailing edges of the teeth?
nice videos. Any chance at at a demonstration of how to do a square ground chisel chain, with a chisel chain file. All the videos I can find are with round files.
You know that it's time to sharpen your saw's chain when (1) you must push the saw downwards in order to cut and (2) the saw produces fine sawdust instead of big, rough chips.
I agree with others. This was the most helpful and informative video on sharpening chain saws that I found. I now feel confident that I can sharpen all those chains I've collected instead of continually buying new ones. Thanks so much!
Have you ever used the new tool put out by Oregon. Its a sharpener that attaches to the end of the bar. As you cause the chain to accelerate, the tool automatically sharpens the chain.
@donyboy73 i use it for a 10 years, i am very satisfied with job but I think the chain don't last as long as when you do with a file. but is very quickly. And yes, stones change their geometry rapidly. Thanks, great job as allways!
@donyboy73 i use it for a 10 years, i am very satisfied with job but I think the chain don't last as long as when you do with a file. but is very quickly. And yes, stones change their geometry rapidly. Thanks, great job as allways!
What's the difference between 30 or 35 degrees? Is that personal preference, and what would the reasons be? Or is it a matter of the particular brand of the chain?
Awesome video. I saw all the requests for this and wondered when you were going to post it. I always compare what comes off the log from a sharp chain to confetti.
There are other critical angles on the cutting tooth that you never mentioned. I have a hard time getting all the angles correct without the file guides, so I always use them.
@CARRICK6423 in Europe commercial and contract loggers use huskies almost exclusevly. a guy that owns a stihl shop once told me he silently prefers huskies over stihls. to me, they are both great, but then again I never owned a stihl in my life, only tried them. technically speaking, mahle, KGL and gilardoni all make cylinder castings and pistons for husky and stihl. the only thing left is whether the covers are made by germans or swedes. mahle made stihls/huskies are most preferred among pros
Nice video Donnyboy, this is probably the best how to sharpen a chainsaw chain video I've seen on youtube. Any plans on making a video on how to sharpen a chainsaw chain with a grinder?
Properly sharpening a chain is quite a challenge. Keeping your sharpening angles right all the time takes time to learn, even with a fileguide. In the bush it's more difficult, there you have the blade between you legs, and you can only use one hand, increasing the risk of wrong angles. Practice practice!
Ive just got myself a nice little electric sharpener I feel it gives a sharper more accurate finish. I know people that can get it sharper with a file but each to their own.
Hey dony, I noticed you had the muffler off the free poulan 4620, you should do a muffler mod on it, it made a huge difference on mine. I opened the hole on the back side of the muffler up just a bit and richened up the carb a bit and it cuts a million times better. I think it would help alot of people get alittle more for there money.
moparpoulan1 1 week ago
@moparpoulan1 good idea, that poulan could use a little help
donyboy73 1 week ago
I was supposed to do ajob today,and my chain was very dull. I went to the customers house, and I could'nt even cut through a 1 1/2" piece of wood, it would'nt even cut through butter! I went and tried to find a chain for my particular saw, but I had no luck locally, I got depressed and angry. I decided to check you tube and see about chain sharpening. I came across your video, and having watched your videos on snowblowers I knew I could trust you. I went into the basement, tried it. It worked!!!
Leesherwood 2 weeks ago
@Leesherwood nice to hear that
donyboy73 2 weeks ago
Good video but you may notice that there is another number on your guide 10. So you should file at a 30 degree angle but also it should be 10 degrees down.
MrBrentchapman 2 weeks ago
DonyBoy73... thanks for sharing... Running Husky 55 Rancher with 4 chains to keep me going but you know how it is, they are always in shop when you need them [getting sharpened]... will make investment in proper tools [shown in video] so when in field with no extra chains I can at least finish the task at hand.
Again, Thanks for taking the time & effort to provide an informative video such as this...
brobb6 2 weeks ago
@brobb6 no prob man, you will save a lot of money and time doing this yourself. you can also get them professionally done once in a while to bring the edge back
donyboy73 2 weeks ago
Very well done!
Many thanks for the demonstration and instructions.
MrJubbley 3 weeks ago
To those asking about the direction in which Dony is filing (inside to out). This is the prefered direction by many as it is said to increase file life. The file is cutting the softer steel on the inside of the tooth, then, yes, cutting the chrome plating last. This will leave a small burr that wears away while cutting wood. Filing from the outside in gives better results as no burr is formed, but quickly dulls the file as the harder chrome wears out the file teeth.. I prefer the way Dony shows.
AxeMeKnot 1 month ago
Great vid, Dony. Thanks for posting a well thought out, informative look at manual chain saw sharpening. A couple tips however. Be careful not to bang the file guide into the tooth at the end of the stroke, and use a little less pressure. A new file (and you should always use a good, sharp file as they only cost about $1 ea.) will take a lot of metal even if only light pressure is applied and will give more consistent results as it's easier to hold your angles if the file isn't lurching about.
AxeMeKnot 1 month ago
Really good job on this video. I have been looking around for a vid like this, and yours is definitely one of the better ones. Thanks!
gregmgm06 1 month ago
Perfect comprehensive video. I now know the tools I need to get and how to use them.
56edwards 1 month ago
Superb video friend.....First time I´ve ever sharpened a saw today and afterwards it cuts so much better. I learn a lot of skills from videos thanks to people like you sharing their knowledge.....Thank you very much and greetings from sunny southern Spain...!!!
TheTheEnixero 1 month ago
@TheTheEnixero greetings from Canada where it is cold!
donyboy73 1 month ago
wear leather gloves while sharpening to save your hands. nice vid
bikefuller 1 month ago
Comment removed
bikefuller 1 month ago
By FAR the best video on how to sharpen a chainsaw chain. I was a bit unsure about a few things but this has shown be everything I needed to know. Thanks!
yngwieisking 1 month ago
great vid. man thank you for sharing your knowldge
mississippi7383 2 months ago 3
@mississippi7383 THANKS FOR WATCHING
donyboy73 2 months ago
excellent video the only one i found about filing the guides never knew about that thank you for taking the time to make the video
wingnut8466 2 months ago
@wingnut8466 thanks for watching
donyboy73 2 months ago
Great vid dude, really helped get me started in the right direction!
thamm76 2 months ago
Excellent explanation, easy to follow... cool guy. Thanks
CelticAvenue 2 months ago
@CelticAvenue thanks for watching
donyboy73 2 months ago
Thanks for a very helpful video. A frustrated cutter I shall be no longer.
John24950 2 months ago
One of the very best instruction videos on youtube I have ever seen! Keep up the good work and thanks for the help. I am a do it your-selfer and I would have no idea how to sharpen the chain the right way without help.
spittenkittens 2 months ago
thank you very much for your sharing.
boonskyler 2 months ago
Very detailed, thank you for making this
highguy36 2 months ago
if it makes sawdust then the chain is dull? a sharp chain will make chips correct?
Smallgasengine1 3 months ago
@Smallgasengine1 yes
donyboy73 3 months ago
Thank you very much! Very nice video, really good. May be one of the best I saw!
neteel12 3 months ago
@neteel12 thank you
donyboy73 3 months ago
nice tutorial!! I'm getting ready to hit the woods for deer season and the trick for sharpening in the field was very good/helpful- makes great sense!! one quick question? how do you decide on size and grit on the file choices?? where is best place to buy these very useful tools to keep in saw case??? thanks
BM
THEMACKSHACKLODGE 3 months ago
Thanks for posting this...I was wondering why I was having problems and decided to view a how to just to see what I was doing wrong! and I forgot to file gown the Guide... Thank you so much for posting this.
spoosh13x13x13 3 months ago
HI DB,
Do you know how to square file?
Thanks,
Bob
MrRmh3481 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Thanks for another great vid donny A#1 +++
spiavsspia 4 months ago
thank for the great vid donny A#1 +++
spiavsspia 4 months ago
best video ever on chain sharpening. I thought I knew how to sharpen one until now. THANKS. Now, how about one on the bar. Can you repair one when the bar get worn and the chain has side to side movement
amtanner560 4 months ago
@amtanner560 sometimes you can "dress the bar" or just get a new one
donyboy73 4 months ago
Would 't you pull the the spark plug cap Don before sharpening ? great video . Have to sharpen my STILH up today later. Was hoping it would start it did with some star tron added in just a drop, glad I had emptied it brofore storing. cheers Pete
Jdcap26 4 months ago
@Jdcap26 no i don't remove the cap to sharpen it because it doesn't turn the engine
donyboy73 4 months ago
Great vid, thanks.
split150 4 months ago
This may be a stupid question but what metal are chains made of?
ML424wr 4 months ago
@ML424wr steel
crimson22s 4 months ago
great vid
thanks
beachfiredude 4 months ago
Super video - I learned alot - things we don't really think about:
1) cut a part of log to hold chainsaw in the bush while filing!!!
2) Square file to bring back round teeth
Thanks
BUT what angle shoudl we use if cutting softwoods (pine) or if cutting hardwoods (firewood)?
Michel
miclabelle 4 months ago
just what i needed, thanks!
ElPasoTom 4 months ago
Budy, the best videos of all in youtube about sharpening a chainsaw, you say every point you have to be aware, as safety, angles, etc, was really useful for me and pretty easy to understand. Greetings!
sugutus 5 months ago 5
@sugutus thanks for watching!
donyboy73 5 months ago
awesome dude .... thanks for the lesson .....
ernova2000 5 months ago
How do you determine the "size" of the chain, to make sure you are using the proper size file? Should it be listed somewhere in the manual, or on the saw? Thanks.
flipwiggins 5 months ago
@flipwiggins If you can't find the proper file size for your chain, find a file that fits VERY SNUG in the arch on the underside of the tooth. A file that gives you any "play" or loose movement in the arch is too small. A file too large will ruin the arch. Look for the measurement on the file, and use the same measurement of file next time.
igniter35 5 months ago
I'm a DIY chainsawer. I quickly (10 seconds each) looked at 5 videos on how to sharpen a saw. I saw yours for 2 seconds and knew that this was the one. Thanks for keeping it down to business and giving littlde tips throughout. Cheers
aaudettes 6 months ago 3
@aaudettes thank you
donyboy73 6 months ago
Dony, Excellent job with the video. (And a truly great accent.)
JumpRope66 6 months ago
@JumpRope66 thank you
donyboy73 6 months ago
Regarding the burrs, they wouldn't be visible to the naked eye; one would need magnification to see them. My grandfather, who was a tool & die maker for GE in the 1940's-50's, told me that - when filing or machining - you always leave burrs. So you should choose your direction so you don't leave burrs on your desired sharp edge, because they break off easily leaving a dulled edge.
I don't know if he was right, but that made sense, so that's why I'm asking. (He lived to age 98, but is passed.)
MF0196 6 months ago
@MF0196 with all his experience i am sure he is right. often if the wrong size of file is used .i.e. too small it can leave burrs, i have never had a problem but thanks for the tips
donyboy73 6 months ago
excellent video Dony...just what i needed
dony one question......if you had your choice for a 16' chainsaw , for Yard use would you pick a Stihl or a Husqvarna................
PGXI 6 months ago
@PGXI that's a tough choice
donyboy73 6 months ago
Good overview, but I have a question: By filing in the direction shown, wouldn't that leave the burrs hanging off the cutting edges, where they would be broken off (by the wood), and dulling more quickly than if you filed so that you leave any burrs on the trailing edges of the teeth?
MF0196 6 months ago
@MF0196 never had burrs when filing by hand, on the electric grinder you have to be more careful or u can get burrs
donyboy73 6 months ago
outstanding
mlapenna7 6 months ago
@mlapenna7 thanks
donyboy73 6 months ago
Awsome video man. Wow! Thank you!
bernie7044 6 months ago
That's really good. Thanks for posting. Really clear instructions. Nice tip about securing the chainsaw when you have no vice. Thanks again.
Aprilfly 7 months ago
One of the best vids. on this I have seen! Thank you!
yamm1313 7 months ago
this is awesome video!! Thanks for all the tips,
Naproxenum 7 months ago
@Naproxenum thanks for watching
donyboy73 7 months ago
nice videos. Any chance at at a demonstration of how to do a square ground chisel chain, with a chisel chain file. All the videos I can find are with round files.
jerrymoser71 7 months ago
You know that it's time to sharpen your saw's chain when (1) you must push the saw downwards in order to cut and (2) the saw produces fine sawdust instead of big, rough chips.
KevinByrne2 10 months ago
I agree with others. This was the most helpful and informative video on sharpening chain saws that I found. I now feel confident that I can sharpen all those chains I've collected instead of continually buying new ones. Thanks so much!
sownsew 10 months ago
Great Info! This can safe you a fortune. Thanks for the video!
chfar072281 11 months ago
nice job i feel smart now lol but i have to try now
jwillie000 11 months ago
@jwillie000 take your time doing it
donyboy73 11 months ago
Very helpful. You talk slow and nice. God titcher.
From 346 XPG Sweden
Tsson1 1 year ago
@Tsson1 thank you
donyboy73 1 year ago
Very helpful. And love that wonderful Canadian accent.
msevigny 1 year ago
crap! I think I just f-ed up my chain LOL! wish I would have watched this first,damn the bad luck!!
KRAZZYMF 1 year ago
What a great informative video, exactly what I needed to know. In fact this whole series is really useful. Thanks very much.
suckmybat 1 year ago
@suckmybat make sure to subscribe, i'm always posting new vids
donyboy73 1 year ago
This is the most helpful chain sharpening video Ive seen yet. Thanks!
UltraConserv 1 year ago
I have an electric Chain saw sharpener
Rodsranch 1 year ago
Nice video, also for me the best I can find on Youtube. Thank for your effort!
Greetings from Holland
emkameindert 1 year ago
@emkameindert I was in Holland for 2 weeks in 2000
donyboy73 1 year ago
@donyboy73 That was fun to hear. Hope you enjoyed your time.
Greetings eMKa
emkameindert 1 year ago
Have you ever used the new tool put out by Oregon. Its a sharpener that attaches to the end of the bar. As you cause the chain to accelerate, the tool automatically sharpens the chain.
BuhlzI 1 year ago
@BuhlzI never tried it but heard about it
donyboy73 1 year ago
Don....How do we know what chain depth tool to use with the chain we have?
BuhlzI 1 year ago
Great vid Don Thanks for posting 5 stars mate
balafu77 1 year ago
Hy! What do think about a dremel chainsaw attachment? Worth the money?
kasche83 1 year ago
@kasche83 the stones wear out quickly, bu tu can try it, i will make a vid soon on that
donyboy73 1 year ago
@donyboy73 i use it for a 10 years, i am very satisfied with job but I think the chain don't last as long as when you do with a file. but is very quickly. And yes, stones change their geometry rapidly. Thanks, great job as allways!
kasche83 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@donyboy73 i use it for a 10 years, i am very satisfied with job but I think the chain don't last as long as when you do with a file. but is very quickly. And yes, stones change their geometry rapidly. Thanks, great job as allways!
kasche83 1 year ago
great vid thanks cuts like BUDDDA!
gst69man 1 year ago
great vid thanks
gst69man 1 year ago
What's the difference between 30 or 35 degrees? Is that personal preference, and what would the reasons be? Or is it a matter of the particular brand of the chain?
ICUC007 1 year ago
This is the best video I have been able to find for manually sharpening my Huqvarna 51. Thanks for explaining things so thoroughly ! (=:
rijkent55 1 year ago
@rijkent55 thank you
donyboy73 1 year ago
or u could do like me and just have ur naghbor do it for you
rebela2111 1 year ago
Wow thanks donyboy for answering my request. Love all your videos.
rtzapper 1 year ago
Awesome video. I saw all the requests for this and wondered when you were going to post it. I always compare what comes off the log from a sharp chain to confetti.
2035jim 1 year ago
Just like a hot knife in butter!
adrienj67 1 year ago
taught my self how to do this. save u lots of money on buying chains or paying someone to sharpen it for you.
tribulation138 1 year ago
should the sharp chain make sawdust or chips?
Mrtocoolforyou12 1 year ago
@Mrtocoolforyou12 chips
bev1806 1 year ago
@Mrtocoolforyou12 small chips
donyboy73 1 year ago
Where did u get that picture of the piston with the flames
lawnguy27 1 year ago
@lawnguy27 my cousin made it
donyboy73 1 year ago
Thanks DOny ive been waiting for this. So i need to buy a few files and guides right?
th19940305 1 year ago
never used those guides before, good info.
KrankieV2 1 year ago
There are other critical angles on the cutting tooth that you never mentioned. I have a hard time getting all the angles correct without the file guides, so I always use them.
motorhead1 1 year ago
@CARRICK6423 in Europe commercial and contract loggers use huskies almost exclusevly. a guy that owns a stihl shop once told me he silently prefers huskies over stihls. to me, they are both great, but then again I never owned a stihl in my life, only tried them. technically speaking, mahle, KGL and gilardoni all make cylinder castings and pistons for husky and stihl. the only thing left is whether the covers are made by germans or swedes. mahle made stihls/huskies are most preferred among pros
seasonedtoker 1 year ago
Cool video man !
1972FordF150 1 year ago
Nice video Donnyboy, this is probably the best how to sharpen a chainsaw chain video I've seen on youtube. Any plans on making a video on how to sharpen a chainsaw chain with a grinder?
griffy85b 1 year ago
@griffy85b yes, a dremel and i'll be buying the grinder soon and make vids on them
donyboy73 1 year ago
Thanks dony, very helpful vid
twackerx 1 year ago
Good job! Very informative and well edited.
farmerinchico 1 year ago
@farmerinchico thank you
donyboy73 1 year ago
just suscribed the other day, loving your videos. I have learned alot the last couple of days watching your vids. Greetings from N.C.
corym420 1 year ago
@corym420 more videos coming
donyboy73 1 year ago
Properly sharpening a chain is quite a challenge. Keeping your sharpening angles right all the time takes time to learn, even with a fileguide. In the bush it's more difficult, there you have the blade between you legs, and you can only use one hand, increasing the risk of wrong angles. Practice practice!
Mueiwark 1 year ago
Terrific job, you make some of the best tutorials on all of youtube. :D
TheSaturnV 1 year ago
Great vid...thanks. I've been using a electric sharpener which works great but it doesn't allow you to make the depth adjustments.
BTW...since you have the husky in the shop, can you show how to tune the card...high and low?
BuhlzI 1 year ago
@BuhlzI i'll make a future video on that procedure
donyboy73 1 year ago
@BuhlzI if i'm not too busy i'll do that
donyboy73 1 year ago
I have the file @ 3:24 it works awesome. No problems don't even have to think about it. Great vid as usual.
Thanks
2LateIWon 1 year ago
Great vid. I personally hate sharpening but the results are nice.
pberglin 1 year ago
Ive just got myself a nice little electric sharpener I feel it gives a sharper more accurate finish. I know people that can get it sharper with a file but each to their own.
bev1806 1 year ago