Coleman Cosby, a project manager and landscape design specialist at Yardzen, the online landscape and design company, advises, “If you start seeing smoke while cutting and see burn marks on the cuts, it’s time to sharpen the chain. A dull chainsaw chain is more dangerous to use than a sharp one, as it is harder to control and likelier to slip. Make sure the size of the chainsaw sharpening file or wheel is correct and matches the pitch and gauge of your chain—pitch is the space between the chain “teeth” and gauge is the thickness of the chain—and use a guide so you’re running the file at the correct angle to sharpen the chain effectively.” We evaluated chainsaw sharpeners based on effectiveness, ease of use, and versatility. We recommend the Oregon Compact Universal Chain Saw Sharpener, which comes with three grinding wheels and makes it easy to sharpen just about any chainsaw quickly and easily. For a chainsaw sharpener that will deliver consistent results and keep your tool in top shape, you can’t go wrong with the Oregon Compact Universal Chainsaw Sharpener. While somewhat of an investment, this tool is worth it for anyone who regularly needs to tune up chainsaws, whether you’re chopping wood for your own fireplace, clearing brush, or providing professional landscaping services. It can sharpen models from a variety of popular brands and includes everything you need for the best results. This 120-volt chain grinder can be mounted to a workbench or wall, and it can sharpen 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch low profile, 0.325-inch, full profile 3/8-inch, and .404-inch pitch chains from all manufacturers (including Oregon, Stihl, Husqvarna, and more). The unit comes with a grinder, dressing brick, quick-check grinding template, and three grinding wheels. It has a built-in wheel wear indicator and even a light for better visibility while you work. While this chainsaw sharpener may be overkill for someone who only cuts wood a few times a year, if you use your tool regularly, the Oregon chain saw sharpener is a worthwhile investment. Price at time of publish: $210 This kit can be used on any chainsaw, and it includes files in 5/32-, 3/16-, and 7/32-inch sizes. The files and the depth-gauge tool can be inserted into the included handle for a more comfortable grip, allowing you to work more quickly. Plus, the whole set costs less than $20, making it an ideal option for those who only sharpen their chainsaw a few times a year or need to sharpen chains far away from sources of electricity. Price at time of publish: $17 The sharpener has six speed settings, with a range of 10,000 rpm to a maximum of 35,000 rpm. It’s comfortable to hold and very easy to use; once you watch the instructional video on YouTube, you’ll be able to sharpen your chainsaw in just a few minutes with no need to remove the chain or deal with much fuss or bother. Price at time of publish: $50 This chainsaw sharpener delivers a 3,600 rpm grinding speed. It comes with three grinding wheels sizes 1/8-, 3/16-, and 1/4-inch to sharpen chains from ¼-inch to 3/4-inch pitch. It has an easy-to-read adjustment guide to keep you accurately sharpening, and a see-through safety shield plus built-in worklight to make the task safer and easier. You can angle it to either side for precise work on your chain. Price at time of publish: $181 To use the device, all you have to do is plug it into a 120-volt wall outlet, and it has a 4-1/2 inch grinding wheel with a 1/8-inch thickness that will make quick work of the task thanks to its 4,200 RPM grinding speed. While this tool may take a little while to figure out, once you get the hang of using it, the sharpener will allow you to easily restore chains to their optimal state. Price at time of publish: $65 The unit is crafted in the U.S. from cast aluminum and zinc-plated steel for unmatched durability, but keep in mind that it doesn’t include any files, so you’ll need to purchase them separately. By using the right file size for your particular chainsaw, you’ll be able to perfectly match the chain manufacturer’s angles. Price at time of publish: $53 This chainsaw sharpener comes with 5/32-, 3/16-, and 7/32-inch sharpening stones that will deliver a smooth and sharp cutting edge, and the tool also includes a chain angle guide for accurate work. Once you get the hang of using this tool, you’ll be able to sharpen your chainsaw in a matter of minutes—without ever needing to remove the chain! The cord is six feet long, so you can work comfortably without feeling too tethered to the outlet. Price at time of publish: $60 This tool comes with 5/32-inch, 3/16-inch, and 7/32-inch sharpening stones, as well as a collet wrench, and it features a simple sharpening angle adjustment guide for accuracy. The product is lightweight and compact, so it won’t take up much room in your tool kit, but the one downside is that it doesn’t include a standard AC adapter. Its power cord is over 16 feet long, so you have plenty of maneuverability while you work. Price at time of publish: $34 Using this attachment is a lot easier than filing the chainsaw blade with a manual file, but not nearly as expensive as owning a single-purpose sharpener that is only designed for this one task. When you use the appropriate grinding stone, you can quickly and easily bring your chain right back to its optimal sharpness, without a lot of fuss and bother, or a steep learning curve. The attachment works with most Dremel Multi-Tools, including the 3000 series, 4000 series, and 8000 series. Price at time of publish: $22 This chain sharpener is designed to be mounted to a bench, and it comes with a 4.5-millimeter grinding wheel. The company says it typically takes around 5 minutes to complete the initial setup, and after that, you’ll be able to fly through the sharpening process, getting back to work faster. Price at time of publish: $110 Electric chainsaw sharpeners simplify the job by handling the grinding for you. These tools come in a variety of configurations, including sharpeners that mount to a workbench, sharpeners that can mount to a wall, and sharpeners that you hold in your hand similar to a rotary tool. Electric chainsaw sharpeners are fast and convenient, but are more expensive than manual sharpeners and many of them take some practice before you get the hang of using them effectively. This is a good choice if you need to sharpen chainsaws frequently, or are willing to pay more for convenience. Manual files are the least expensive type of sharpener, and require no electrical outlet or battery to use. Your own muscle power provides the grinding action to the chain, which can be tiring, but also allows you to precisely angle and grind to your chain’s configuration. It typically takes longer to sharpen a chain with a manual file than with an electric sharpener. Still, an experienced user can carry the task out quite rapidly. This type of sharpener is a good choice if you only occasionally need to sharpen a chainsaw, or if you want to spend as little as possible on a sharpener. Bar-mounted sharpeners are basically guides that help position your manual file precisely. They attach directly to the chainsaw bar, but you’ll need to lay the chainsaw on a flat, sturdy surface to work. These devices are another good choice for someone who doesn’t sharpen chainsaws frequently, but prefers extra guidance when doing so.
Pitch and Gauge
One number you’ll want to know when shopping for a chainsaw sharpener is the pitch of your chainsaw’s chain. If you aren’t sure, it’s usually indicated somewhere on the chainsaw itself, often on the bar. Pitch is a measurement of the space between links. There are five common chainsaw pitches: ¼-inch, .325-inch, full-profile or low-profile 3/8-inch, and heavy-duty .404-inch. The most common is 3/8-inch low profile, however. Chainsaw sharpeners are designed to work with various chainsaw chain pitches, but most can handle more than one pitch, and some can sharpen all five of the common sizes of pitch. Chainsaw chain gauge is another number you’ll want to know. It’s also often indicated on the chainsaw bar. Chain gauge is a measurement of the thickness of the links. The common gauges for chainsaw chains are .043-inch, .050-inch, .058-inch, or .063-inch.
Grinding Wheels
Electric chainsaw sharpeners include grinding wheels, which need to be appropriately sized to match your chain. Typically, these grinding wheels might be 4 or 5 inches in diameter, but it’s the thickness of the grinding wheel that’s most important, as this is what’s going to fit between the teeth of your chain. As a rough guideline, a 1/8-inch grinding wheel is good for sharpening 1/4-inch, .325-inch and 3/8-inch low-profile chains. You’ll need a 3/16-inch grinding stone for 3/8-inch and .404-inch chains. Most electric sharpeners include grinding stones in two or three sizes to cover the majority of chainsaw chain pitches.
Speed
Electric chainsaw sharpeners spin the grinding wheels very quickly, typically 2,500 to 3,800 revolutions per minute, although there are some with speeds as high as 10,000 rpm. Don’t assume that you need the highest speed, however, as lower speeds allow you to more precisely control the grinder. Some chainsaw sharpeners have variable speed controls, which give you much more finesse in choosing the right speed for your needs.
Fixed or Portable
If you have the room for it, and expect to do a lot of chain sharpening, a bench-top sharpener, which is generally the most heavy-duty type, is a good option. But if you don’t have a workbench with enough room, a wall-mounted sharpener is another fixed-in-place option that can tackle regular use. These are generally corded electric devices. If you prefer something portable that can be toted with you to a worksite, then look for portable sharpeners that are either battery-powered or manual. You’ll also want to consider weight and ease of handling when choosing a portable chainsaw sharpener.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, whose partner is a carpenter and contractor for luxury homes. He provided product recommendations and expert insights for this list. Additional reporting was done by Nadia Hassani, a master gardener with over 20 years of gardening experience, and further insights were offered by Coleman Cosby, a project manager and landscape design specialist at Yardzen, the online landscape and design company. If you are using a manual kit with a file to sharpen your chainsaw chain, the following guidelines give you an idea of the process.
It’s harder to cut through wood, and you notice more sawdust being producedThe chainsaw pulls or is harder to controlCuts are uneven or crookedThe chainsaw smokes You notice worn or damaged teeth on the chain
Michelle Ullman is the home improvement/tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs around the house and yard.
