How to Use a Harbor Freight Electric Chainsaw Sharpener

Keep your chain as sharp as possible by using an electric chainsaw sharpener

Using a correctly sharpened chainsaw chain maximizes the saw's cutting potential and it reduces your workload. The Harbor Freight Electric Chainsaw Sharpener is an option for any woodsman who has a lot of chains to sharpen consecutively. These electric sharpeners allow you to sharpen each tooth with precision accuracy and can be used for almost every kind of chain. The machines take all of the guesswork out of hand sharpening and make every tooth and raker even.

Things You'll Need

• Wrench
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Use the wrench to remove the bar nuts. Use the screwdriver to release the bar tensioner screw on your chainsaw and remove the bar, chain and clutch cover.

2. Install the Harbor Freight electric chainsaw sharpener on a flat bench, wall or vise. Find the chain's filing depth, angle and proper filing stone by looking at the chain's box.

3. Install the proper filing stone according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Every stone is slightly different. Make sure it is securely screwed in place.

4. Open the sharpener's vise and put the chain in between the two metal runners. Clamp the chain in place by tightening the vise's screw. Let the chain hang below the metal clamp.

5. Set the chain's filing angle by adjusting the sharpener's angle knob, located on the left side of the sharpener's vise. This will set the angle at which the stone will grind the teeth. Set this measurement according to the chain's recommendations.

6. Place the grinder down on the first tooth. Check and adjust the filing depth. To change this measurement, adjust the depth knob on the vise.

7. Set the stone's filing angle according to the chain's recommendations. This knob will be located on the lower part of the vise. Lock the chain in place by turning the handle on the vise.

8. Turn the grinder on and sharpen the first tooth. Turn it off and check to make sure you have sharpened the stone at the correct depth and angle. Adjust these as needed and continue sharpening all the teeth on one side first.

9. Flip the chain around and repeat these steps for the other side of the chain.

Tips & Warnings

• Never over-sharpen the teeth by taking too much off. This will cause the chains to become brittle and can ruin a good chain.

• Always wear the proper protective equipment when you operate these sharpeners.

• Follow all of the manufacturer's safety warnings and guidelines when operating these machines.

References

• Harbor Freight's Electric Chainsaw Sharpener Owner's Manual