Author	[Modern View]
rodm1 08-26-2012 14:46:16 68.61.90.130 Report to Moderator	I have a Poulan 1950 chainsaw 14' that I need to get a sharpening kit for but I'm not shire what size file to get. All to files at TSC and the hardware stores seem to be to small. This is the chain I'm using, any help on the proper file size would be grate. http://www.amazon.com/Poulan-952051209-14-Inch-Chain-Saw/dp/B0000CBJ4Q/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=6JDYY5UB2ZFK&coliid=I18P449G10KJW1 This post was edited by rodm1 at 14:47:12 08/26/12. [Reply]   [No Email]
rodm1 09-22-2012 13:46:20 68.61.90.130 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to rodm1, 08-26-2012 14:46:16   Thanks everyone, I took the chain in and it whose a 5/16 file. I looked at the high end saws to. I think a 50cc pro saw is on my wish list. [Reply]  [No Email]
jeffcat 08-28-2012 20:00:39 66.19.243.60 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to rodm1, 08-26-2012 14:46:16   One of the saw repair places near me has a real good parts department and they do chains too. On the counter is a box with a whole bunch of different sizes of files. The real ones from Germany Sthil, are very good. You need to take and FIT your chain. Saws like yours might have a 3/8 low profile chain. jeffcat [Reply]  [No Email]
Butch(OH) 08-28-2012 05:02:38 70.62.13.146 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to rodm1, 08-26-2012 14:46:16   I should add that there is no reason to guess what pitch chain your are running it is etched on the side of the bar as is the gauge (slot width) and link count or go to the site I posted and punch in your specifics to get all needed info. Unless it has been changed from the factory set up it is 3/8 LP not .325 and takes a 5/32 file. As some others correctly said you can go too small with the file and get away with it as long as you know what you are doing. Too big means you cannot achieve the correct profile. [Reply]  [No Email]
Bret4207 08-28-2012 17:09:21 64.19.90.196 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to Butch(OH), 08-28-2012 05:02:38   Butch, my bad. I've never seen a 14" bar with 3/8 chain on a Poulan. Anything that small they usually went with .325 or 1/4". Even at 14", I can't imagine a 2.0 CI saw pulling 3/8" very well. On a little toy like that I'd say .325 would be as wide as I'd want to go. [Reply]  [No Email]
Butch(OH) 08-28-2012 17:46:58 107.8.39.107 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to Bret4207, 08-28-2012 17:09:21   All is good, my typing is stronger worded than my intent sometimes. The 3/8 chain on his saw is not the 3/8 you are used to on the 60CC and up saws. It is made for the small saw market replacing what used to be 1/4" you referred to, same usage I mean, wont fit on same saws of course. It is actualy called 3/8 low profile. #91 Oregon is an example or N1C in Carlton is a good one I like. Rather confusing that we have 3/8 on the 60 80 CC stuff, .325 on 45-55 CC and then back to 3/8 on the little ones. [Reply]  [No Email]
Bret4207 08-29-2012 04:48:26 64.19.90.196 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to Butch(OH), 08-28-2012 17:46:58   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see Interesting, I never noticed that before and I've been playing with saws for years. [Reply]  [No Email]
SweetFeet 08-28-2012 03:45:18 70.35.110.213 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to rodm1, 08-26-2012 14:46:16   My husband just sharpens chain saw blades on his bench grinder (also does drill bits too). For doing this on the grinder, he puts on a padded grinding wheel that attaches with velcro. His saw blades and drill bits work better and stay sharp longer than ones he has had professionally sharpened. [Reply]  [No Email]
Butch(OH) 08-28-2012 04:54:05 70.62.13.146 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to SweetFeet, 08-28-2012 03:45:18   Please post pictures or video of that operation. [Reply]  [No Email]
SweetFeet 09-01-2012 05:53:42 70.35.110.213 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to Butch(OH), 08-28-2012 04:54:05   Butch OH, Husband said the guy would be better off to buy a chain saw file. He modified his bench grinder by removing the grinding wheel and put a differetn end on it. He said buying a file would be more economical for this guy. [Reply]  [No Email]
SweetFeet 08-30-2012 04:38:01 70.35.110.213 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to Butch(OH), 08-28-2012 04:54:05   I will try to take some photos this weekend and post them to your attention. (I can't post a video). [Reply]  [No Email]
Bret4207 08-27-2012 16:06:47 64.19.90.196 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to rodm1, 08-26-2012 14:46:16   I cannot imagine having the money to simply throw a chain away rather than sharpen it. Go to Lowes or TSC and you will find a Husqvuarna filing kit that looks like this and costs about the same- http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=HVA%20505%2069%2081%2094 That is for a .325 chain, they make them for 1/4" and 3/8" too. I believe your saw takes a .325. It's very easy and simple to use and it's fast. Any dolt can use one, I know because it works for me! [Reply]  [No Email]
JML755 08-27-2012 08:25:08 97.78.165.195 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to MFPoor, 08-26-2012 14:46:16   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see I get mine sharpened by a shop (costs $7) and then touch them up by hand every fill-up or so. I keep a fresh chain in the case. When I'm out sawing, I don't want to waste time messing with chains. I want the saw to run at its best. BTW, I use a Stihl 361 and with a fresh chain, it cuts just about anything like butter. [Reply]  [No Email]
Stephen Newell 08-27-2012 06:08:25 66.53.83.102 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to rodm1, 08-26-2012 14:46:16   Sharpening a saw chain is a big enough of a job anyway. I think I would throw the chain away before I would sharpen one by hand with a file. I use a carborundum blade or better known as a metal cutting blade for a circular saw on a grinder to sharpen my saw chains. It sharpens the blades better than new. [Reply]  [No Email]
Old Popper 08-27-2012 16:20:42 216.51.202.134 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to Stephen Newell, 08-27-2012 06:08:25   I heated our home with wood for around 18 years, and always hand filed my saw chains. About every six or eight times, would take them to town to get the pro job, and get the lugs ground down. It doesn't take long to learn that you file each tooth the same number of strokes so the chain cuts straight. Heats with propane now. Old age! [Reply]  [No Email]
JDseller 08-26-2012 18:12:14 208.126.196.144 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to rodm1, 08-26-2012 14:46:16   To tell what file you need just take one of your chains with you. Then just find the one that fits the cutter radius the best. One a little small is better than one too big. Then just match the angle of the cutter top when filing. [Reply]  [No Email]
Butch(OH) 08-26-2012 18:06:11 107.8.39.107 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to rodm1, 08-26-2012 14:46:16   That saw should have a 3/8" pitch low profile chain and you should use a 5/32 file for it. For those learning it is much easier to do a good job if you use a file guide. The flat blade type as sold at TSC and most box stores is the one. Check out Oregons web site, much good info there. Oregon [Reply]  [No Email]
Diydave 08-26-2012 15:54:20 96.244.152.143 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to rodm1, 08-26-2012 14:46:16   I think it's 5/32". You can always sharpen with a smaller file, than recommended, for the chain. Then switch up to the right size, one 32nd at a time! [Reply]  [No Email]
rodm1 08-26-2012 15:52:18 68.61.90.130 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to rodm1, 08-26-2012 14:46:16   Thanks and I agree, I don't use it much maybe 3 hours of run time a year. How can you tell if the file is sized properly for the blade? [Reply]  [No Email]
Loosehandle 08-26-2012 15:41:14 174.238.197.244 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to rodm1, 08-26-2012 14:46:16   3/16" works well for .325 chain Yours might be smaller on that type saw so you might need 5/32“ Next time get a better saw from your local shop, well worth the extra $. [Reply]  [No Email]
60 acre hillside 08-27-2012 16:09:35 67.142.170.26 Report to Moderator	Re: Chainsaw blade sharpening? What size file to get? in reply to Loosehandle, 08-26-2012 15:41:14   It takes less time to file a saw by hand than it does to remove and replace the chain. [Reply]  [No Email]