The 6 Finest Chainsaw Sharpeners of 2024, Examined and Reviewed

Everybody who makes use of a chainsaw has been there: You’re at full throttle, the attractive two-stroke symphony at max RPM, however you’re solely seeing nice mud exiting the log, and also you aren’t getting wherever. Your chain is about as sharp as a marble. Some folks I do know exit and put a brand-new chain on, and ultimately, they find yourself with a dozen uninteresting chains hanging across the storage. However there’s a higher (and cheaper) method. Use a chainsaw sharpener.

However, a stroll by way of the shop or a fast web search will carry up so many choices for chainsaw sharpeners that it may be laborious to decide on one. I examined among the greatest chainsaw sharpeners that will help you select the appropriate one. 

How I Examined the Finest Chainsaw Sharpeners

To check these chainsaw sharpeners, I gathered my uninteresting chains and chains from a few buddies who additionally run saws for firewood and property upkeep, and I sharpened all of them. There have been lots to go round, and nearly each measurement and magnificence was coated, from small tooth for nice work to massive rippers for quick bucking. 

After that, it was a matter of following the directions for every one and seeing how they did. One factor I discovered was that once I arrange every sharpener and sharpened in keeping with the directions, all of them produced a superb edge that gave like-new efficiency. Just one chainsaw sharpener examined didn’t sharpen properly, which I’ll cowl later. Other than that, I thought of ease of use, set-up time, size of sharpening time, consistency, and flexibility when selecting the very best in every class. 

Finest Chainsaw Sharpeners: Opinions & Suggestions

Finest Total: Granberg Intl. File-N-Joint G106-B

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Key Options

• Totally adjustable for any pitch, angle, and tooth top
• Accepts all file sizes
• Forged aluminum and zinc-plated metal development (no plastic)
• Quick changes
• Made within the USA
• Value: $52

Professionals

• No have to take away or loosen chain
• Very constant sharpness and depth
• Easy mounting and adjusting
• No electrical energy wanted

Cons

The File-N-Joint nearly appears to be like a bit gimmicky at first look, however in use, it actually shines. It does every little thing you want it to do: It holds the chain in place, adjusts the peak, pitch, and angle, and retains you completely lined up so that each tooth is similar. The file holder accepts each spherical recordsdata for sharpening tooth and flat recordsdata for setting depth. It really works properly in case your noticed is on the bench or sitting on a stump. Since you aren’t apprehensive about setting all of the totally different angles of each tooth, you may transfer by way of a series fairly shortly, and swapping from left to proper is simply a few finger adjustable wingnuts/set screws away. It’s compact sufficient to slot in most chainsaw instances and might go wherever since you don’t have to plug it in. As soon as that is arrange, it gives you good, constant chains with out the focus and talent required to sharpen freehand. If I might have just one, I’d purchase the Granberg. 

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Finest Electrical: Oregon Bench Mounted Mini Grinder

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Key Options

• 85 Watt Motor
• Spare motor brushes included for lengthy life
• Straightforward to function
• Very constant tooth to tooth
• Value: $100

Professionals

• Removes harm quicker than the remaining
• Very constant sharpness
• Easy changes for depth and size
• Adjustable angle

Cons

• Wheels for various tooth sizes and depth grinding wheels offered individually
• Have to be mounted to a bench

The Oregon Mini Grinder handbook makes it look like there’s a lot to working it, but it surely actually is straightforward and straightforward to make use of this chainsaw sharpener. 

1. Flip a knob to set how far down the wheel can journey so that you don’t over grind.
2. Flip a knob to set how a lot materials the wheel removes from the sting. 
3. Rotate the lock to carry the chain, and pull down on the deal with.

When you set the knobs for the primary tooth, the wheel shaves each following tooth to the set angle. Swapping from left to proper is a matter of loosening a knob and twisting the chain holder to the opposite aspect, and tightening it. I wouldn’t have wanted instructions, however I learn them anyway. A gauge comes with the grinder so as to set the depth and select the appropriate wheel on your chain. You can too grind down the spare wheel with the supplied dressing stone to make a flat wheel for setting depth for the chain. I didn’t hassle and simply used a flat file, however the choice is there if you’d like it. A number of wheels can be found for the grinder, but it surely comes with 3.2mm and 4.7mm wheels. 

Finest Below $20: Husqvarna X-Minimize SP33G File Equipment

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Key Options

• Multi-function information can also be a depth gauge
• Consists of two spherical recordsdata and a flat file
• Depth gauge with really useful settings for softwood and hardwoods
• Value: $18

Professionals

• No have to take away or loosen chain
• Rollers preserve the file lined up
• Easy to make use of
• Straightforward to hold, even in a pocket

Cons

• Can’t swap recordsdata for various chains, information solely works on specified measurement

This Husqvarna Equipment takes the fundamental file package up a notch with the curler guides, but it surely doesn’t value any greater than the old-school kits do. The information snugly suits over the tooth being sharpened, and the slots set the rollers on the good top for the file. From there, lay the file on the rollers, parallel with the information, and file away. A couple of strokes was all it took for me to carry every tooth again to life. The information has two units of slots reduce in it for left and proper tooth, and it’s so simple as turning the information and sliding it down as earlier than. Whereas that is technically freehand, the rollers take a lot guesswork and error out of the equation. The comfy deal with will settle for each spherical and flat recordsdata, and holds them very securely. There are different sizes obtainable for various chains, and the one draw back is that this can solely work for one chain measurement. In case you are a one-saw man and also you don’t need to spend so much on a chainsaw sharpener, this package will serve you very properly.  

EzzDoo Electrical Chainsaw Sharpener

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Key Options

• Information attachment with markings for 25, 30, and 35 levels
• Consists of bit sizes for all standard chains
• Consists of spare brushes for motor
• Adjustable RPM for better management
• Value: $35

Professionals

• No have to take away or loosen chain
• Diamond bits have longer life than stone model bits
• Easy to make use of with included information

Cons

• Twine is sort of brief, will want an extension wire
• No provision for setting depth

The EzzDoo is actually a Dremel Software with a removable information and diamond bits particularly sized for chainsaws. It can settle for Dremel Software attachments and different bits that use Dremel-sized shanks and collets. I left the velocity on the lowest setting as a result of I didn’t wish to mess issues up too dangerous if I slipped. That being mentioned, it nonetheless made fast work of every tooth. With two regular palms, you will get fairly constant angles in case you comply with the information carefully. The wire was fairly brief, and although I used to be solely 3 toes from an outlet, I wanted to make use of an extension wire to get the correct place. In the event you don’t have a Dremel software already and need a full package deal, it’s laborious to beat this value and efficiency. The information will assist you discover the right angle, however gained’t actually assist maintain the software in place, so in case you don’t have a gradual hand, this will likely take some observe to get stable outcomes. You have to to have a flat file to set the depth, which isn’t included right here. I might have used the bit and freehanded it, but it surely wouldn’t be constant, which might have an effect on efficiency. 

Dremel A679-02 Sharpening Attachment Equipment

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Key Options

• Consists of bit sizes for all standard chains
• Three guides included for various instruments and blades
• Works with any Dremel Software
• Value: $12- $20

Professionals

• No have to take away or loosen chain
• Sharpens shortly
• Easy to make use of with information

Cons

• Requires a Dremel Software
• Stone bits appeared to put on extra shortly than diamond bits

I take advantage of my Dremel for every kind of initiatives round the home, and with this package, I can add chainsaw sharpening to the checklist. The provided guides work properly, and I used to be in a position to really use two of them on the chainsaw, although one was meant for garden mower blades. Both method, I used to be in a position to get quick outcomes with the stone bits. I stored the velocity low-medium, and solely wanted a couple of second on every tooth. 

I spent extra time ensuring I used to be lined up earlier than touching than I did eradicating materials. Nonetheless, the bits did present indicators of wear and tear after only one chain, which was somewhat regarding. Additionally, I observed accelerated put on if the rotation of the software was “into” the highest of the tooth. Altering what aspect the software was on corrected that, however the bits nonetheless appeared used. If you have already got a Dremel Software, then this package is a good addition and can serve properly for infrequent sharpening. I’d look elsewhere if it’s good to sharpen typically, or a excessive quantity of chains. 

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Oregon Chainsaw Sharpening Equipment 104004

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Key Options

• Comes with two spherical recordsdata and a flat file
• Angle information and depth gauge included
• Snug wooden handles for recordsdata
• Value: $20

Professionals

• No have to take away or loosen chain
• Constant sharpness and depth
• Easy to make use of and straightforward to hold
• Angle information clips to file for consistency

Cons

• Completely different package wanted for every measurement chain

My first chainsaw sharpener was only a plain Oregon file with no guides, and I discovered methods to sharpen chains the laborious method. Wanting again, I ought to have simply gotten this package for an additional 10 bucks. The angle information, depth gauge, and flat file make sharpening quicker and simpler. I can get a pointy chain with only a file, however I can do it quicker and with much less effort with this package. 

The one cause this didn’t take high spot within the underneath $20 class was as a result of the information doesn’t preserve you stage just like the Husqvarna does. However this package does have the very best depth gauge out of the bunch. I’ve used Oregon bars and chains and haven’t been let down, and the identical is true with this sharpening package. Included within the package are two wood handles so as to have a deal with on a spherical file and the flat file on the identical time, which is good so that you simply don’t have to modify forwards and backwards. With somewhat observe, you’ll have good sharp chains utilizing the Oregon Equipment. 

Greatest Let-Down: Nuovoware Chainsaw Sharpener Software (Now rebranded as Congdaren)

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Key Options

• Clamps on the bar
• Aluminum and metal development
• Compact
• Hand crank, no want for electrical energy
• Value: $22

Professionals

• No have to take away or loosen chain
• Easy mounting
• No electrical energy wanted

Cons

• Set at 30 levels, not adjustable
• Chain holder set screw failed
• Tough to get right top 

A number of corporations are making chainsaw sharpeners on this model (almost equivalent trying), and maybe one other one might have finished very properly, however this one wouldn’t maintain up for various tooth. The screw that units the ahead and aft positioning arm indexes off of a small aluminum plate that’s held by a set screw, and the set screw simply doesn’t have the mandatory buy to maintain the plate in place. I attempted a number of instances to get it to remain and tighten the set screw, however to no avail. Other than that, the diamond “file” didn’t have sufficient taper to get began and nonetheless had some resistance when it reached full depth. It was spinning, however not eradicating materials. I attempted for about 20 minutes to get it arrange so it might really sharpen the entire tooth earlier than taking it off the noticed and “setting” it apart. Maybe one other firm has perfected this design, as a result of it looks like it ought to work, however the Nuovoware model isn’t definitely worth the trouble. 

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The best way to Select the Finest Chainsaw Sharpener for You

Chain Measurement

The primary consideration in selecting a chainsaw sharpener is getting the right measurement for the chain you might have. Discover the dimensions of your chain and match it to the right file or bit measurement. In case you are shopping for a sharpener that features three bits, you’ll simply match the bit with the chain. There are additionally kits obtainable that may have the three important file sizes included, that are 5/32-, 3/16-, and seven/32-inch so as to deal with almost any chain. 

Electrical vs. Guide

Electrical sharpeners are good and straightforward and don’t require a lot bodily work. However, they require electrical energy, which is in brief provide in some areas. Electrical sharpeners could be a nice choice to be used round the home or farm, however a handbook sharpener is the best way to go in case you are out somewhat method and never near energy. 

For me, there may be additionally a satisfaction that comes from working with hand instruments. That doesn’t actually have a sensible software, however for me it’s a consideration. Additionally, it’s a good suggestion to have a chainsaw sharpener that isn’t electrical even when your important one is as a result of many instances, saws are pressed into service in emergencies like heavy snowfall or dangerous storms that may knock the ability out. 

Value

Value is a priority for most individuals, although not one of the greatest chainsaw sharpeners are too terribly costly, particularly when in comparison with new chains or the acquisition of a noticed. That being mentioned, if it’s good to avoid wasting cash, even these sub- $20 choices are nice, and in your use case, could also be preferable over a dearer choice. However, in case you’re going handbook, the Granberg is completely price the additional cash for my part. 

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FAQ

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Remaining Ideas on the Finest Chainsaw Sharpeners

A pointy chainsaw is a pleasure to work with, and fortunately, there are a number of nice choices to maintain your chain in tip-top form. Sharp chains additionally make your chopping simpler and quicker, so protecting your chain sharp is a worthwhile endeavor. Regardless of which of the very best chainsaw sharpeners you select, I like to recommend practising with it earlier than you actually need it. It’s not enjoyable studying that you simply want extra observe if you’re in a pinch, so keep sharp.