Contrary to the popular belief, sharp tools are actually safer than dull ones. Whether you’re using a chainsaw or a kitchen knife – you want it to be extremely sharp, so that you can cut things easier and without using excessive force. This is especially of paramount importance when using a chainsaw, as cutting with a dull one can lead to excessive wear and higher fuel consumption, resulting in higher operation and maintenance costs.

All of those costs can be avoided by simply filing your chains correctly, and regularly, no matter how heavy-duty your chainsaw is. Having your chainsaw constantly sharpened by a company can be extremely costly. For this reason, investing in a chainsaw sharpening machine is often times the least expensive, and least time consuming solution.

Typically, a chainsaw sharpening machine is electricity powered. It’s a great tool for those who want to make the most out of their chains, ensuring their sharpness and longevity. These tools can be mounted directly to your work bench, and all you need to operate it is a standard outlet. These tools have high rotary speeds (typically over 3000RPM), which means you can spend less time on the blade.

However, when sharpening your chainsaw on an electric chainsaw sharpener, you want to be extremely gentle and only make slight contact with it, else you risk degrading the blade too much. You can adjust the angle of the tool in order to get the best results. All you have to do is take off the chain from the bar and mount it on the guide. This makes these tools extremely useful for people who use their saws frequently around the house.

But How Do You Know When It’s Time to Sharpen Your Chains?

For starters, a dull chain will create hot dust, while a sharp chain will create large wood chips when cutting wood. When your chainsaw starts spewing sawdust and you’re required to use extra force to slice through things, it’s time to sharpen your chain. However, it’s usually a good idea to sharpen your saw before it becomes dull by sharpening it every time you fill its tank with gas.

People that haven’t sharpened their blades might be intimidated by the sharpening process, but it’s really not as scary as it appears. It’s a short process that takes up to 10 minutes, and with the help of a few affordable guides and files, you can completely transform your slow, dull-cutting chain into a woodcutting ninja. Doing it frequently is key, and you’ll get make the most out of your chains for years to come.