Sharpening the saw chain

Select the diameter of the round file to suit the chain pitch.

• Check the code digit for the chain pitch on the
  outboard side of the depth gauge.
• Refer to the table below to obtain the chain pitch.

Each chain pitch is assigned to a specific round file diameter.
Use only special saw chain sharpening files. Your STIHL servicing dealer has a wide selection of high quality files.

• Hold the file handle firmly with one hand and guide the file with the other hand across the cutter on the forward stroke.
• Start with the master cutter and position the file so that you can apply pressure and file from the inside to the outside of the cutter.
  

• Always hold the file at a right angle (90°) to the guide bar.
• The file only sharpens on the forward stroke  – lift the file off the cutter on the backstroke.
• Rotate the file a little at regular intervals while filing to avoid one-sided wear.

STIHL saw chains are generally filed to an angle of 30° – parallel to the service mark for the filing angle.

• Hold the file so that one quarter of its diameter projects above the top plate.

If you can see dark areas on the cutting edge, the cutter is not yet sharp.

The cutting edge is properly sharpened when it is uniformly bright.

Then file all the cutters in that row to the same length, then turn the chainsaw 180° and file all the cutters in the other row. All cutters must be the same length as the master cutter.

• Simply place the filing gauge on the saw chain.

• File down the depth gauge until it is level with the filing gauge.

On saw chains with humped drive links the hump is lowered along with the depth gauge.

File the top of the depth gauge parallel to the service mark – but do not lower the highest point of the depth gauge in this process. Take care not to touch the freshly sharpened cutter with the flat file..