Chainsaw Sharpening Errors and Damage

If you find there are chatters, bounces, wanders or generic performance issues in your saw chain, it should be checked for the potential sharpening errors.

Condition	Sharpening error	Fix
Chain Snatches in Cut	The sharpening angle is too acute (narrow)	Use filing aid to maintain sharpening angle
	Hooked side plate angle	Use filing aid, hold the file higher and use the right (larger) diameter file
	Different side plate angles	Use the filing aid and pay attention to uniform pressure
	Different cutter lengths	Find master cutter and file back all cutters to same length
	Depth gauge setting too wide	If it’s possible, file back the cutters. If you cannot the saw chain must be replaced
	Different depth gauge settings	Find the shortest depth gauge, file back all cutters to suit the shortest depth gauge setting, and correct all other depth gauges
Poor cutting performance	Sharpening angle too obtuse (wide)	Use the filing aid to maintain sharpening angle
	Backsloping side plate angle	Use the filing aid, hold file lower, use right (smaller) diameter file
	Depth gauge setting insufficient	Lower depth gauges, ensure you use the filing gauge that matches chain pitch
Cut wanders	Different side plate angles	Use the filing aid, ensure you pay attention to the uniform pressure
	Different filing angles	Use the filing aid, ensure you pay attention to correct sharpening angle on all cutters
	Different cutter lengths	Find the master cutter and file back all cutters to same length
	Different depth gauge settings	Find the shortest depth gauge, file back all cutters to suit shortest depth gauge setting, correct all other depth gauges
Increased risk of kickback	Hooked side plate angle	Use filing aid, hold file higher, use right (larger) diameter file
	The depth gauge is setting too wide	If possible, file back cutters, the saw chain must otherwise be replaced
Sharpening angle too acute (narrow)	Sharpening angle too acute (narrow)	Use the filing aid to maintain sharpening angle
	Backsloping side plate angle	Use the filing aid, hold file lower, use right (smaller) diameter file
	Hooked side plate angle	Use the filing aid, hold file higher, use right (larger) diameter file

Sharpening Angle Too Acute (Narrow)

Error	Wrong sharpening angle
Effects	Cutters bite too deeply into wood, snag and stick, reduced life, high load on saw chain
Remedy	Use filing aid to maintain sharpening angle

Hooked Side Plate Angle

Error	File not held properly, wrong file diameter
Effects	Chain snatches in cut, short life, increased risk of kickback
Remedy	Use filing aid Hold file higher Use right (larger) diameter file

Sharpening Angle Too Obtuse (Wide)

Error	Wrong sharpening angle
Effects	Poor cutting performance, high feed effort required
Remedy	Use filing aid to maintain sharpening angle

Backsloping Side Plate Angle

Error	File not held properly, wrong file diameter
Effects	Poor cutting performance, high feed pressure required, greater physical effort and wear rate
Remedy	Use filing aid Hold file lower Use right (smaller) diameter file

Different Side Plate Angles

Error	File not held properly, uneven pressures
Effects	Cut wanders, chain snatches in cut
Remedy	Use filing aid Pay attention to uniform feed pressure

Different Cutter Lengths

Error	Different amounts of material removed during filing
Effects	Cut wanders, chain snatches in cut, poor cutting performance
Remedy	Find master cutter and file back all cutters to same length

Different Filing Angles

Error	File not held properly
Effects	Cut Wanders
Remedy	Use filing aid Pay attention to correct sharpening angle on all cutters

Depth Gauge Setting Insufficient

Error	Depth gauge setting not checked after sharpening
Effects	Poor cutting performance although chain is sharp
Remedy	Lower depth gauges, using filing gauge that matches chain pitch

Depth Gauge Setting Too Wide

Error	Depth gauge setting too wide
Effects	Chain snatches in cut, increased risk of kickback and chain breakage
Remedy	If possible, file back cutters, the saw chain must otherwise be replaced

Different Depth Gauge Settings

Error	Different amounts of material removed during filing
Effects	Chain snatches in cut, chain wanders
Remedy	Find shortest depth gauge File back all cutters until they suit the shortest depth gauge setting Correct all depth gauges