WOW!!! That's all I can say night and day difference. I have always struggled to get a really sharp chain. Just tried these and it cutting like a new chain. Thank you for this video.
You briefly showed us on the back of ur truck... that morning I bought one before I went to my wood lot... then asked for a spare for Christmas...best sharpener I've ever had
I've been Dremel sharpening my Chains for many years! I found it to be much faster and far more convenient than a hand file. I previously used one of several older model corded Dremels and generic mini-grinders. Then got a cordless Dremel 8220 w/ a backup Li-ion battery, so I've got plenty of power and run time w/o having to use or worry about a cord. I also found that although the cylindrical stone grinder bits worked okay, the diamond bits worked faster and lasted longer for about the same price.
Just found this video. Excellent information. My first job out of high school was in logging. I spent 2 hrs with a guy who showed me how to cut a tree down then was on my own. Then l learned the rest by the school of hard knocks! I learned how to file my chain with a file and am still using a file to this day. Im no longer a logger (thank God) but i still cut firewood for myself. After watching your video im putting in a order for a Dremel 3000 and a couple packs 7/32 Oregon bits.
Class is over, thanks Chris now time for "wood splitting & wood chucking" ! More fun to watch you work-LOL I can watch as I'm retired! Although I do get outside every day, and walk 4/6 miles weather permitting
Hi Professor - it's Big Rodders in Ireland. Very interesting video. For 40 years I tried to perfect my sharpening skills, trying a range of gadgets but could never get the consistency I craved. I finally admitted I wasn't man enough for the job and acquired an electric sharpener that could deal with Oregon chains at 10 degrees off horizontal. I converted it to wet grinding using a cutting fluid and now achieve the consist results that I sought over the decades. I use another old cheap sharpener to keep the rakers at a precise 25thou. I bring 3 or 4 chains to every cutting session and swap them out as required, which enables me to keep the bar clean for max lubrication. So that's how I deal with the perennial issue of sharp chains. Mind you, if I had an Irene I could put her in charge of that Department!
Good vid; been sharpening chains using file for 35yrs and 1st time viewed using dremel, looking up and ordering Oregon bits today to try it, thanks for sharing!
Good morning Chris . Ah the hot topic of chain sharpening. I think the bottom line is keep em sharp no matter how you do it! I've watched enough of your videos to see your saws are sharp. Thanks for sharing
I think that this is one of those things that comes down to preference and time. If I was in your position, I would absolutely do what you are doing. I cut a few cords of wood a year, so a manual sharpening with a rat-tail file keeps me more in touch with the old ways and adds to the enjoyment of cutting wood. Others like the Stihl 3 in 1. I have a 3 in 1 but when I upgraded my saw, the old one wasn't the right size and I ended up getting good with the rat-tail. What I need is a neighbor like you with a Dremel that I can visit about once or twice a year to get me cat claw sharp. Great video.
Phil you are exactly right, if it works for you that is great, you need to find a friend to sharpen for you! HA! Files do a great job, I just did a new video with my brother and he hand files really good! You'll see it soon!
I started doing this about a year ago and never looked back. I have a chain sharpening rig, but I doubt I could find it back if I needed it. It looks even easier when you do it!
Thanks John, there is a lot of guys that are stuck on one way to sharpen, they all work. To me,this is the fastest and easiest. But I can hand file if I need to.
Greetings from Clinton, Arkansas! Thanks for showing your sharpening technique!!!! I have been waiting to see it in detail for a long while since I am much below average getting my chains sharp and I have NEVER gotten one sharp enough to rip noodles like you can. Thanks again!
I have an old Stihl 021 with 16" bar, two Stihl MS250's with 18" bars, and a Husqvarna 455 Rancher with 20" bar. Typically, oak rounds bigger than 20" where limbs fork are what I have occasion to rip.
Great job explaining everything. I also use a rotary tool and round sharpening stones and have been doing it for about 15 years. The main benefit is that as you said, IT'S FAST. After I wore out my wife's Dremel, I started buying Tool Shop brand from Menards (Menards is big box store here in the North Central part of USA). I use to get the 1.2 amp Tool Shop for $10 when it was on sale. I also tried the pink colored stones and found they fell apart lots of times. I also have a battery operated rotary tool for field sharpening. As you said, having the rotary tool available with it's fast sharpening time, keeps the chains sharp, which makes the wood cutting faster and easier.
Thanks for showing your technique for sharpening. I have been looking forward to this video. Lots of good tips even if you don't use a dremel for sharpening.
Amazing how many different ways there is to sharpen a chain. I use the Stihl 2in1 chainsaw sharpener now, but I have used several different tools in the past. I see the benefits of how you do it. Might have to try that in the future. Hope to meet you at the Firewood Frenzy in June.
Great info, Chris. I've used the Oregon chain sharpener (Dremel style) for 25 years and it comes with a guide that is adjusted to always keep the same amount of hook (depth of cut) plus the guide has angle scribes to visually help keep the angle right. Finding stones with the correct grit can be a problem. We could get nice gritty stones at Princess Auto here in Canada but because they needed to be used gently or they broke, Princess Auto stopped selling them. Twenty years ago the stones that Oregon sold were only good for sharpening about 3 teeth, then they went smooth and the teeth got hot from burnishing, not sharpening. I'll try the new Oregon stones that you suggest. The 12 volt Oregon sharpener also works well on the bench with an old 12 volt batter charger designated for that purpose only. Or in the woods the tractor battery works great. I always go to the woods with two sharp saws. They get a touchup after a cord of firewood processing because it only takes a couple of grinder strokes per tooth- life is better with a sharp saw, right. I noticed you sharpen your chain from the left side of the bar which means the CW rotation grinds down on the lead edge of each tooth. My eyes don't see the chain tips these days so I sharpen from the right side of the bar. This leaves a tiny burr when it is sharp that can easily be felt with the fingernail. You're pretty sharp, Chris. : ) Thanks - well done video. Salute!
Man you are fast haha. I personaly sharpen my chain with a round file and that is all i ever used. I have gotten so good at it that my neighbors bring their saws to my shop for me to sharpen their chains.
Cool, it is good that you can help out your neighbors! As long as the chain is sharp it does not matter how you get them that way! Thanks for watchin' Jure!!
Mornin Chris...my Father in Law bought me a Craftsman grinder back in the 70's when we were in AZ cutting a lot of mesquite wood....forgot about it till this video. It is hanging in the garage. Gonna plug it in today and see if it still runs LOL. Great how to Video....
Appreciate the lesson Chris. I often get comments on the sharpness of my chain in my videos. I struggle with getting a sharp chain. I’ll give it a try. I already have the cordless dremel so wish me luck.
I've gotten good at using the cheapo harbor freight grinder. I dont have 3 chainsaws like you do, only 1. But I do have 3 chains for it! So I swap them out as needed. But I am now thinking about buying the battery operated dremel now. Today I hit some gravel that was frozen to the log as I was noodling and I saw all the sparks fly. I knew I was done cutting for the day. If I had the dremel I could have touched it up and kept on going.
G’morning Chris. I am going to give it a shot. I already have the Dremel. I still haven’t settled into my sharpening groove yet. I have a cheapo grinder that requires the chain to be removed, and filing takes to darned long. Thanks for the lesson !
hi there stopped by to take a look . nice job might have to give it a go . i do use a file an also a Stihl bench grinder . but always looking for a better way . thanks john
Just got back from delivering a load after hauling logs home all day, time to get some sleep to pour concrete tomorrow. Might have to get me a dremel and congrats on pass 5k subs!
You can do it this way. You can do it that way. The best way is the one that works for you. That way seems to work pretty darn good for you. Interesting way. I might give it a try myself.👍Thanks for sharing. Be well.
Sharp is sharp doesn't matter how you get sharp. I do file the depth gauge with a husky progressive gauge seems to work better for me than the kind that just sits over a couple cutters. Thank you!
I use a hand file. Sthil makes one that sets the rackes at the same time which i find is pretty easy to use. If there trashed or if my angle gets off i use my oregon bench mounted grinder.
Same way I do it. I don’t need to sharpen as much as you do but I tried the diamond ones. No shape change. So the diameter stays. They seem to work for me. I also have a grinder that has alligator clips to use the tractor battery as well as a 110 volt one for inside. Thanks for the info and video.
I hand sharpen with an Oregon file guide works great and fast. Got a bench grinder, takes too long to take chain off and hard to avoid overheating chain then to hard to hand file.
Im going to give this a try. I bought a cheap sharpener from harbor freight and am not having much luck. I actually do better hand filing. Thanks for the video. Did you see my son give you all an unexpected shout out on my video this week? He thinks hes a funny guy lol. Take care
Great Stuff ! what speed do you have your dremel at? I must say, I like that you reply to every comment ,you don't have someone else doing it for you. I like to here it from the horses mouth as they say , GOOD ON YOU!!
I need to get myself a Dremel, I'm so bad at sharpening my saw. By the way. I know you're a Husqvarna guy I have an old 257 still going strong 🤙 thanks for the video Chris!!
the electric sharpener is much faster than a file for me, as well. one thing i messed up on early on was not getting the angle right when sharpening. if the left facing teeth are not the same as the right facing, it causes crooked cuts, which can result in binding up the bar/chain, and just generally tends to be a pain.
James, you are exactly correct! Both sides need to be the same angle or the wood will dangle!!! Thanks for watching! Tomorrow we go on a logging job!!!
I have the Oregon electric sharpener, it does the job but the case falls apart easy and you have to clip clamps to a battery. Dont hook it to a dual battery vehicle, but it has a cigarette lighter splice in the cord so you can plug it into the lighter or power adapter instead
Maybe there is a bit of a learning curve with using a Dremel to sharpen, but I've gotten MUCH better results using the Stihl 2-in-1 manual file sharpener. Project Farm did a review on his RUclips channel, showing several different methods and the Stihl sharpener will often make a chain even sharper than it was when new! The Dremel tool option seemed like a great idea, but I never could get it to make a chain cut like new or even close.
Need to get a low rpm chain bench grinder. That stone is heating up the cutter tooth too much start smoking gets too hot the steel loses its temper. Tooth metal goes soft and gets dull easier when cutting . Have a good one buddy and take care. Be safe out there.. ✌☺
i just subscribed and your by far the best firewood channel out there, love your info, i sell firewood on the side as well over here, i don’t know anything about face cords i sell by the cord, usually 150-200 a season to fund skiing for my family, anyhow my question is do you ever get the angle off with the dremel and the chain doesn’t cut or it spins out? i use to have that problem hand filing, so i bought that green bench grinder and i have it dialed in to the chain specs and they come out “box sharp” every time... it’s definitely not as quick! love the channel and the husky saws, that’s all i use myself!
Thanks for joining the fun here first of all and if you are selling that much wood..... wow, that is great! Yes I like the huskies too, which ones do you have? No, I have never had a problem with my sharpening at all! See you here tomorrow!
@@InTheWoodyard yeah i love it, been doing it solid about the same amount of time as yourself, i have quite a few husky’s, mostly use the 395, with a 32” bar, most of the logs are large trees, 30” and up, would love to show you how i process it to firewood, i’m a one man band as well, if you have a email i could explain more, i was sharpening chains until 10:00 pm last night thinking where’s my dremel!
I just bought a 12v one this will save me alot of time because after running the saw so long my fingers cramp.. i was doing it with a harbor frieght sharpener and file out while cutting. My question is what angle do you shoot for or do u just stick with the angle that the chain is at when new
Because I had a dremel and liked it so, I bought another one and then a battery operated one and then another faster bigger dremel... so I have dremels... PLUS.. they where started in Wisconsin!!!
I get it, everyone who has done something more than twice usually has a reason for doing it that way. I expected the oregon to be toolless but no Some dremel tools are toolless do there's that. But for $35 I think I could use a chuck key
I bought those at a logging show two falls ago, I saved about 25% off retail by buying in bulk, like 2 dozen chains and a few bars and bar oil and gas oil mix and a couple of saws. You could just check out your local saw shop.
Chris I have watched you sharpen with these dremel tools, I am thinking of trying them. I would like a corded and one cordless. Which ones would you suggest? Thanks.
Yes! Get both the 3000 is about $60 and the battery one is around the same I think. Battery for on location and corded for in the work shop. Battery is not as fast or powerful.
G'day Chris, on the odd occasion that I hit a stone you'll wear a file out trying to bring it back so I grind slowly with cool grind but you can still over heat the leading edge at that point I finish with the Drexel and the jobs done. I've seen a grind stone that doesn't over heat but I lost that contact .
The local Echo dealer said the same thing about the depth of cut that the wood wears it down. Probably doesn't wear as much when cutting pine and soft hardwood versus oak. I use the 2-in-1 file for sharpening, I actually enjoy the hand file. Here's a good question: Why not use a bench grinder sharpener to blueprint the saw chain, aka make all the cutters the same length?
The 2-in 1 is a great tool and hand filing is good to, I just can do it faster and better with the stone bit on a dremel. I don't use a bench grinder because I don't have one and I'm not a fan of having to take the time to take the chain off and on all the time. As far as the same length teeth, that is not necessary and is a waste of tooth length on teeth that are fine as they are, yes some teeth do get shorter sometimes. If you want the teeth to always be the same length you should ONLY use a new chain. Just one mans opinion, and that isn't much when it comes to me! Ha!
@@InTheWoodyard, is the OCD side of me where things have to be equal. Got a couple of new saws to use. But with this snow, won't be until spring when can use them. Am busy crying, can't use my new toys.
Another great video. Great demonstration. If you said this, I may have missed it. Do you have .325 chains on your saws? I have two saws. One 3/8 and one .325. Want to make sure I get the right Dremel bits. Thanks again.
You are probably not going to be able to use the same size bit for both, they are not the same size chain. You should look it up to be sure, I would switch to both of them to 3/8 size chains after your .325 is used up and have the same equipment then.
You're not going to be cutting today, probably. Snow blowing more likely! Ya I wondered how you did the depth gauges. I just go by feel, hey it's not biting like it should, and take a few strokes off, but like you said, if the teeth get worn down uneven then I'm not fine tuning each tooth to the best cutting power. I like cutting in clean wood though, where I sometimes get 4 or even up to 6 tanks without too much dulling. Then I hit the pocket in a crotch tree or a hollow critter log and I'm instantly dull so I save them till last thing before sharpening again.
I like my chain to be as sharp as possible at all times so I sharpen or should I say.. touch up.... between almost every tank... never more than two! Yes, you gotta watch out for those DIRTY CROTCHES!!!!
Yes been waiting for this one, thanks Chris. I had a couple questions for ya, but I see other folks asked the same. But I thought of another, what brand / kind of chains do you use. Do you stick just with Husqvarna or may Oregon?
Thanks Brian! Yes I have done a lot of teaching in my profession in the past, I held seminars at my place and I have taught at universities and on stage at big seminars and state conventions in front of hundreds of people, it prepared me for the youtube thing.
Stihls are real good saws, I would love a new 500i to play with. My 576xps and 572xps are great saws and I'll probably buy more of them! Thanks Lamont!
I've been waiting for this since you said you were going to show us how you sharpen. I'm new to this and only used a hand file 6-8 times but it's slow. Time for me to get a dremel. When you said you get 3 to 6 sharpening's is that all 3 saws 3 to 6 times or 1 saw 3 to 6 times?
Good question, each stone bit is good for 6-9 sharpenings. If a chain hits a rock or wire it does require more work to sharpen so the stone will wear down faster. I am going to try the diamond bits soon!
WOW!!! That's all I can say night and day difference. I have always struggled to get a really sharp chain. Just tried these and it cutting like a new chain. Thank you for this video.
Glad it helped! Thanks for watching!
You briefly showed us on the back of ur truck... that morning I bought one before I went to my wood lot... then asked for a spare for Christmas...best sharpener I've ever had
Thanks, I am glad it worked for you too, some purists will have a hard time with it, but that's okay, hand filing is a developed art!
I've been Dremel sharpening my Chains for many years! I found it to be much faster and far more convenient than a hand file. I previously used one of several older model corded Dremels and generic mini-grinders. Then got a cordless Dremel 8220 w/ a backup Li-ion battery, so I've got plenty of power and run time w/o having to use or worry about a cord. I also found that although the cylindrical stone grinder bits worked okay, the diamond bits worked faster and lasted longer for about the same price.
Yup, me too!
Thanks for taking the time to show this Chris. I am now using this system. Much quicker and easier. 👍🏻
Great, good to hear!!
Just found this video. Excellent information. My first job out of high school was in logging. I spent 2 hrs with a guy who showed me how to cut a tree down then was on my own. Then l learned the rest by the school of hard knocks! I learned how to file my chain with a file and am still using a file to this day. Im no longer a logger (thank God) but i still cut firewood for myself. After watching your video im putting in a order for a Dremel 3000 and a couple packs 7/32 Oregon bits.
That is awesome! You will like the speed you can sharpen the chain with it! Thanks for watching!
Class is over thank you teacher Chris!
Glad you think so! But there will be lots of questions! HA! Thanks Joseph!
Class is over, thanks Chris now time for "wood splitting & wood chucking" ! More fun to watch you work-LOL
I can watch as I'm retired! Although I do get outside every day, and walk 4/6 miles weather permitting
Thanks Arthur, sounds like you are good at the retirement gig!! Have a good one!!
Hi Professor - it's Big Rodders in Ireland. Very interesting video. For 40 years I tried to perfect my sharpening skills, trying a range of gadgets but could never get the consistency I craved. I finally admitted I wasn't man enough for the job and acquired an electric sharpener that could deal with Oregon chains at 10 degrees off horizontal. I converted it to wet grinding using a cutting fluid and now achieve the consist results that I sought over the decades. I use another old cheap sharpener to keep the rakers at a precise 25thou. I bring 3 or 4 chains to every cutting session and swap them out as required, which enables me to keep the bar clean for max lubrication. So that's how I deal with the perennial issue of sharp chains. Mind you, if I had an Irene I could put her in charge of that Department!
Sound like you have a great system for your chains! Swapping chains on the job is a real time saver!
Good vid; been sharpening chains using file for 35yrs and 1st time viewed using dremel, looking up and ordering Oregon bits today to try it, thanks for sharing!
Glad I could help, it is pretty easy to do, but hand filing is a developed talent!
Good morning Chris . Ah the hot topic of chain sharpening. I think the bottom line is keep em sharp no matter how you do it! I've watched enough of your videos to see your saws are sharp. Thanks for sharing
Yes! You are right about that, sharp is sharp no matter how you do it! Thanks!
I think that this is one of those things that comes down to preference and time. If I was in your position, I would absolutely do what you are doing. I cut a few cords of wood a year, so a manual sharpening with a rat-tail file keeps me more in touch with the old ways and adds to the enjoyment of cutting wood. Others like the Stihl 3 in 1. I have a 3 in 1 but when I upgraded my saw, the old one wasn't the right size and I ended up getting good with the rat-tail. What I need is a neighbor like you with a Dremel that I can visit about once or twice a year to get me cat claw sharp. Great video.
Phil you are exactly right, if it works for you that is great, you need to find a friend to sharpen for you! HA! Files do a great job, I just did a new video with my brother and he hand files really good! You'll see it soon!
I started doing this about a year ago and never looked back. I have a chain sharpening rig, but I doubt I could find it back if I needed it. It looks even easier when you do it!
Thanks John, there is a lot of guys that are stuck on one way to sharpen, they all work. To me,this is the fastest and easiest. But I can hand file if I need to.
Just got done watching all of your videos. They were great!!!!!
Glad you like them! Now would be a good time to start over! Ha! ! Thanks Mr. Muker!
Greetings from Clinton, Arkansas! Thanks for showing your sharpening technique!!!! I have been waiting to see it in detail for a long while since I am much below average getting my chains sharp and I have NEVER gotten one sharp enough to rip noodles like you can. Thanks again!
You are very welcome, I hope you give it a try and it work for you! What size saw do you have? Ripping/noodling requires some power!
I have an old Stihl 021 with 16" bar, two Stihl MS250's with 18" bars, and a Husqvarna 455 Rancher with 20" bar. Typically, oak rounds bigger than 20" where limbs fork are what I have occasion to rip.
@@klowrance9063 Ya, you might want to try a bigger saw sometime there is a big difference from a 50cc to a 70+ cc saw!!
One of the most appreciated videos you have done.
I appreciate that! Thanks for watching again!
Great job explaining everything. I also use a rotary tool and round sharpening stones and have been doing it for about 15 years. The main benefit is that as you said, IT'S FAST. After I wore out my wife's Dremel, I started buying Tool Shop brand from Menards (Menards is big box store here in the North Central part of USA). I use to get the 1.2 amp Tool Shop for $10 when it was on sale. I also tried the pink colored stones and found they fell apart lots of times. I also have a battery operated rotary tool for field sharpening. As you said, having the rotary tool available with it's fast sharpening time, keeps the chains sharp, which makes the wood cutting faster and easier.
Thanks Jim, it is good to here because a lot of people are set in their ways and think that it is the only way, there is a lot of ways to skin a cat!
Enjoying your videos. Very informative. Glad I found your channel. I like your sense of humor
Thanks Gary, I don't think most people call it humor I think they call it sarcasm, but what do I know I just make big wood into small wood! HA!
Safety Sally congratulations. Thank you for the education.
Thanks!
Thanks for showing your technique for sharpening. I have been looking forward to this video. Lots of good tips even if you don't use a dremel for sharpening.
Thanks Joel, I hope it helps take the mystery out of it.
Thanks Chris. I learned a lot there.
Thanks!!
Awesome! I just learned a new way to sharpen my chains. Thanks for you content!
Thanks for watching Jason!
Chris, that was a great video, you just earned a PHD in sharpening a chainsaw, well done. I have a Em
Dreamed, can I order those Oregon bets on Amazon?
Wow, thanks Duncan!
I'm sure you can, everything is on amazon!
Nice job on the video. Clear and concise.
Glad you enjoyed it!!
The Misses hears talk about Oregon and smells something funny.
“Don’t worry honey it just sawdust burning.”
Ha! Ya my wife has good ears and what I call an over sensitive nose!!!
Def impressed with this ,I've always heard about doing it with the Dremel ,but now that I've seen it I'm switching
Go for it ! It is really easy and fast.
Amazing how many different ways there is to sharpen a chain. I use the Stihl 2in1 chainsaw sharpener now, but I have used several different tools in the past. I see the benefits of how you do it. Might have to try that in the future. Hope to meet you at the Firewood Frenzy in June.
Great point! See you then!
Great info, Chris. I've used the Oregon chain sharpener (Dremel style) for 25 years and it comes with a guide that is adjusted to always keep the same amount of hook (depth of cut) plus the guide has angle scribes to visually help keep the angle right. Finding stones with the correct grit can be a problem. We could get nice gritty stones at Princess Auto here in Canada but because they needed to be used gently or they broke, Princess Auto stopped selling them. Twenty years ago the stones that Oregon sold were only good for sharpening about 3 teeth, then they went smooth and the teeth got hot from burnishing, not sharpening. I'll try the new Oregon stones that you suggest.
The 12 volt Oregon sharpener also works well on the bench with an old 12 volt batter charger designated for that purpose only. Or in the woods the tractor battery works great.
I always go to the woods with two sharp saws. They get a touchup after a cord of firewood processing because it only takes a couple of grinder strokes per tooth- life is better with a sharp saw, right. I noticed you sharpen your chain from the left side of the bar which means the CW rotation grinds down on the lead edge of each tooth. My eyes don't see the chain tips these days so I sharpen from the right side of the bar. This leaves a tiny burr when it is sharp that can easily be felt with the fingernail.
You're pretty sharp, Chris. : ) Thanks - well done video. Salute!
Thanks for the kind words Garson! Keep cuttin'!
Man you are fast haha. I personaly sharpen my chain with a round file and that is all i ever used. I have gotten so good at it that my neighbors bring their saws to my shop for me to sharpen their chains.
Cool, it is good that you can help out your neighbors! As long as the chain is sharp it does not matter how you get them that way! Thanks for watchin' Jure!!
Extremely helpful video!👍👍🇺🇸
Glad you enjoyed it!
Mornin Chris...my Father in Law bought me a Craftsman grinder back in the 70's when we were in AZ cutting a lot of mesquite wood....forgot about it till this video. It is hanging in the garage. Gonna plug it in today and see if it still runs LOL. Great how to Video....
Cool! It is easy to do, I think you will like it.
@@InTheWoodyard used it a lot back then but the technology was not there with the stone ones went through a lot of the the old ones lol
I use the Stihl 2 in 1 & LOVE it, but I might get a pack of these bits for the Dremel just to have another fast way, great video
Give it a try, it is fast and easy. It is real nice if your teeth are real bad, like if you hit a rock or some steel!
I’ll be throwing some big ole chips now Chris!
Thanks for another great post!
Thanks for watching, I hope it helps you out!
Hey Chris thanks for that video i like how you do sharpening. It's a lot faster than my hand filing. Plus you still get the gullet out.
Thanks Keith, ya there will be some haters about it but it is easy and it works!
Excellent discussion & video! Using your method obviously works seeing your cutting some serious wood.... definitely food (wood) for thought!
Thanks Jeff, there is nothing like a sharp chain when cutting!
Nice video! Best wishes from Wausau!
Thanks Troy form Wausau!!
Nice and fast work 👍
Yes, thanks Benny!
Nice description Chris
Hey, thanks!
Appreciate the lesson Chris. I often get comments on the sharpness of my chain in my videos. I struggle with getting a sharp chain. I’ll give it a try. I already have the cordless dremel so wish me luck.
It is actually real easy, I think you will do well!
Very nice! I didn't know about this method
Now your wife needs to buy you a dremel or two!!!
I've gotten good at using the cheapo harbor freight grinder. I dont have 3 chainsaws like you do, only 1. But I do have 3 chains for it! So I swap them out as needed. But I am now thinking about buying the battery operated dremel now. Today I hit some gravel that was frozen to the log as I was noodling and I saw all the sparks fly. I knew I was done cutting for the day. If I had the dremel I could have touched it up and kept on going.
Yes you can touch them up on the job with a battery run dremel. A file will work too! Swapping out chains is a good idea too!
I have the Oregon 12 volt sharpener. Love it. I have gotten a bench grinder though. Use it when I hit metal or rocks.
Ya William, a bench grinder would be nice for the really bad ones!! Thanks for watching!
Great video , always looking for ways to better sharpen my chain . Going to try this . Honest healthy work , love it !
Thanks Mr. Lawn!!
G’morning Chris. I am going to give it a shot. I already have the Dremel. I still haven’t settled into my sharpening groove yet. I have a cheapo grinder that requires the chain to be removed, and filing takes to darned long. Thanks for the lesson !
Thanks Corey, I think you will like it, it is easy!
Just want to say thank you great info i just bought a dremel and ordered the bits going to try it on my stihl 271
Glad I could help, it is not hard at all just be sure to be consistent with the angles on both sides .
hi there stopped by to take a look . nice job might have to give it a go . i do use a file an also a Stihl bench grinder . but always looking for a better way . thanks john
All the ways work good once you practice doing it enough, the dremel is easy.
Just got back from delivering a load after hauling logs home all day, time to get some sleep to pour concrete tomorrow. Might have to get me a dremel and congrats on pass 5k subs!
Thanks a bunch Mr. Chicken, I can tell you are like me, you get a lot done each day and don't sit still much!!
I bought some diamond bits for my Dremel, they don't seem to remove much material. I think I will get some Oregon stone bits like you suggested.
Good idea!
You can do it this way. You can do it that way. The best way is the one that works for you. That way seems to work pretty darn good for you. Interesting way. I might give it a try myself.👍Thanks for sharing. Be well.
Very true Matt! As long as the chain is sharp! Thanks for watching!
I ware the same gear when I am engine porting.. Thanks for showing your method on sharping. I am just getting the hang of files..
Thanks Daniel, give the dremel a try it is easy!
Sharp is sharp doesn't matter how you get sharp. I do file the depth gauge with a husky progressive gauge seems to work better for me than the kind that just sits over a couple cutters. Thank you!
Right on Bruce! I am going to have to get me a husky guage! Thanks!
Thanks Chris question answered at the end !!
Thanks Mark, I hope it takes out the mystery of sharpening chains!
I use a hand file. Sthil makes one that sets the rackes at the same time which i find is pretty easy to use. If there trashed or if my angle gets off i use my oregon bench mounted grinder.
Files work good too and bench grinders are great, what matters is getting the chain sharp!
Same way I do it. I don’t need to sharpen as much as you do but I tried the diamond ones. No shape change. So the diameter stays. They seem to work for me. I also have a grinder that has alligator clips to use the tractor battery as well as a 110 volt one for inside.
Thanks for the info and video.
Yup, I have to give the diamond bit a try! Thanks for watching!
I hand sharpen with an Oregon file guide works great and fast. Got a bench grinder, takes too long to take chain off and hard to avoid overheating chain then to hard to hand file.
I agree with that, if you are good a t hand filing it is faster than taking off the chain for the bench grinder!
Thank you my friend. I been wanting to try your method. See you like Dremels too! 🇺🇸👍
I'm a whatever works guy! I am not picky or against change!
Good lesson Mr splitter!
See you next time.
~Mr grower
Thank you kindly Growin man!
Great lesson thanks Chris! 🪒 sharp!!👍
Glad you liked it! Sharp chains are a must no matter haw you do it!
Thank you so much once again
You are welcome!
Great video, thank you. I am curious though, why so many dremels vs just changing the bits out which is quick and easy, as you know?
I use them all with different bits and some where given to me so...
Im going to give this a try. I bought a cheap sharpener from harbor freight and am not having much luck. I actually do better hand filing. Thanks for the video. Did you see my son give you all an unexpected shout out on my video this week? He thinks hes a funny guy lol. Take care
Thanks Mr. Furnace! No not yet I'll check it out now!
I can see where just a light touch could get that nice and sharp. I enjoy filing but I think I like your method.
Thanks Tom, hand filing is good but I think the dremel is easier and faster for me. Have a good one!
@@InTheWoodyard I agree
Great stuff as always. Thanks, Chris.
Glad you enjoyed it Jamie, see you here again tomorrow!
Another Great video Chris.....you're getting good at this...lol
Thanks Mitch, I'm learnin' I have some real good stuff coming soon!
Great Stuff ! what speed do you have your dremel at? I must say, I like that you reply to every comment ,you don't have someone else doing it for you. I like to here it from the horses mouth as they say , GOOD ON YOU!!
Thanks, I run it wide open.
Another really informative video- Thank You 👍
Glad you enjoyed it Richard, i hope it helps someone get a sharp chain!
Thanks Mr Wood alot of great info the last few vids.gonna give it a try. Raker grinding next?
Omg note to self watch the entire vid.
That is ok more comments are better!
No worries!
I need to get myself a Dremel, I'm so bad at sharpening my saw. By the way. I know you're a Husqvarna guy I have an old 257 still going strong 🤙 thanks for the video Chris!!
Go for it! You will be glad you did, I use the ones I have a lot, and it is easy.
the electric sharpener is much faster than a file for me, as well. one thing i messed up on early on was not getting the angle right when sharpening. if the left facing teeth are not the same as the right facing, it causes crooked cuts, which can result in binding up the bar/chain, and just generally tends to be a pain.
James, you are exactly correct! Both sides need to be the same angle or the wood will dangle!!! Thanks for watching! Tomorrow we go on a logging job!!!
Why you are oscillating the Dremel so fast? That does'nt decrease or reduce overheating the steel!
Love Greetings
I have been doing that way now for 12 years works great ...never had a problem and the teeth are wicked sharp!
Excellent! I'll have to try this.
Thanks Jim! You will like it!
I have the Oregon electric sharpener, it does the job but the case falls apart easy and you have to clip clamps to a battery. Dont hook it to a dual battery vehicle, but it has a cigarette lighter splice in the cord so you can plug it into the lighter or power adapter instead
Yes I have seen those too! Thanks for watching!
Maybe there is a bit of a learning curve with using a Dremel to sharpen, but I've gotten MUCH better results using the Stihl 2-in-1 manual file sharpener. Project Farm did a review on his RUclips channel, showing several different methods and the Stihl sharpener will often make a chain even sharper than it was when new! The Dremel tool option seemed like a great idea, but I never could get it to make a chain cut like new or even close.
Yup, some can some can't either way grinding of filing.
Thank You, Thank You!! I've been waiting on this video!! very easy!!
Glad it was helpful! You are welcome! As long as the chain gets sharp how you do it does not matter!
That was interesting.... and nice to see over 5k subs 🌲🌲👏👏
Thanks! Ya, my mom has been calling all her friends! Ha!
Need to get a low rpm chain bench grinder. That stone is heating up the cutter tooth too much start smoking gets too hot the steel loses its temper. Tooth metal goes soft and gets dull easier when cutting . Have a good one buddy and take care. Be safe out there.. ✌☺
5k subscribers 👍👍
Maybe, but I have never had a problem with it so far, and I could turn down the rpms if it was. Thanks Honey man I'll keep an eye on it!
When over heat a chain with bench grinder, tooth gets harder not softer. Then they are too hard to hand sharpen.
i just subscribed and your by far the best firewood channel out there, love your info, i sell firewood on the side as well over here, i don’t know anything about face cords i sell by the cord, usually 150-200 a season to fund skiing for my family, anyhow my question is do you ever get the angle off with the dremel and the chain doesn’t cut or it spins out? i use to have that problem hand filing, so i bought that green bench grinder and i have it dialed in to the chain specs and they come out “box sharp” every time... it’s definitely not as quick! love the channel and the husky saws, that’s all i use myself!
Thanks for joining the fun here first of all and if you are selling that much wood..... wow, that is great! Yes I like the huskies too, which ones do you have? No, I have never had a problem with my sharpening at all! See you here tomorrow!
@@InTheWoodyard yeah i love it, been doing it solid about the same amount of time as yourself, i have quite a few husky’s, mostly use the 395, with a 32” bar, most of the logs are large trees, 30” and up, would love to show you how i process it to firewood, i’m a one man band as well, if you have a email i could explain more, i was sharpening chains until 10:00 pm last night thinking where’s my dremel!
I have one of those that hook up to a battery it works good I can have a chain done in 3 minutes
Ya, it is faster for me too!
way faster
Great demo!
Thanks Tom, I hope it helps answer some of the questions about how I do it!
I just bought a 12v one this will save me alot of time because after running the saw so long my fingers cramp.. i was doing it with a harbor frieght sharpener and file out while cutting. My question is what angle do you shoot for or do u just stick with the angle that the chain is at when new
Yes just the same angle as new!
@@InTheWoodyard Thank You for the reply enjoy your trip!
So you use the oregon bits why not the oregon sharpener that looks like a dremel with the chain guide?
Because I had a dremel and liked it so, I bought another one and then a battery operated one and then another faster bigger dremel... so I have dremels... PLUS.. they where started in Wisconsin!!!
I get it, everyone who has done something more than twice usually has a reason for doing it that way. I expected the oregon to be toolless but no
Some dremel tools are toolless do there's that. But for $35 I think I could use a chuck key
When you say 3-6 sharpenings, do you mean 3 to 6 chains, or do you mean 3 to 6 sharpening's of all 3 of your saws? Thanks!
Good question, 3-6 sharpenings on one chain, so 36 total per bit.
Congrat over 5k!
Thank you!!
Where do you get your bars for the 572 I got a saw like that just would rather have Oregon bars
I bought those at a logging show two falls ago, I saved about 25% off retail by buying in bulk, like 2 dozen chains and a few bars and bar oil and gas oil mix and a couple of saws. You could just check out your local saw shop.
Chris I have watched you sharpen with these dremel tools, I am thinking of trying them. I would like a corded and one cordless. Which ones would you suggest? Thanks.
Yes! Get both the 3000 is about $60 and the battery one is around the same I think. Battery for on location and corded for in the work shop. Battery is not as fast or powerful.
@@InTheWoodyard Thanks for the advice.
G'day Chris, on the odd occasion that I hit a stone you'll wear a file out trying to bring it back so I grind slowly with cool grind but you can still over heat the leading edge at that point I finish with the Drexel and the jobs done. I've seen a grind stone that doesn't over heat but I lost that contact .
Yes, they make a diamond bit and I am going to try and find them!
Well when you do I would appreciate it if you could comment here and I'll see it 👍.
The local Echo dealer said the same thing about the depth of cut that the wood wears it down. Probably doesn't wear as much when cutting pine and soft hardwood versus oak. I use the 2-in-1 file for sharpening, I actually enjoy the hand file. Here's a good question: Why not use a bench grinder sharpener to blueprint the saw chain, aka make all the cutters the same length?
The 2-in 1 is a great tool and hand filing is good to, I just can do it faster and better with the stone bit on a dremel. I don't use a bench grinder because I don't have one and I'm not a fan of having to take the time to take the chain off and on all the time. As far as the same length teeth, that is not necessary and is a waste of tooth length on teeth that are fine as they are, yes some teeth do get shorter sometimes. If you want the teeth to always be the same length you should ONLY use a new chain. Just one mans opinion, and that isn't much when it comes to me! Ha!
@@InTheWoodyard, is the OCD side of me where things have to be equal. Got a couple of new saws to use. But with this snow, won't be until spring when can use them. Am busy crying, can't use my new toys.
@@thefirewooddoctor Just get out there and use them!!
Did you have to practice your angle or have you never had a problem with chain binding cause of bad angle
I just follow the mark on the tooth, never had a problem in hundreds of sharpenings.
Great video,thanks for posting..Can I ask what speed you use on the 3000 when sharpening the teeth?
As fast as it can go!
@@InTheWoodyard Great,thanks
Another great video. Great demonstration. If you said this, I may have missed it. Do you have .325 chains on your saws? I have two saws. One 3/8 and one .325. Want to make sure I get the right Dremel bits. Thanks again.
You are probably not going to be able to use the same size bit for both, they are not the same size chain. You should look it up to be sure, I would switch to both of them to 3/8 size chains after your .325 is used up and have the same equipment then.
Nice work, Chris. Your disclaimer is dead on. Faster than a spreading bullet. Time is money. How often do you flip your Bar? Always be safe👍
Thanks Al, I flip the bar every 3-4 sharpenings or so.
Thanks for the video , will this work on carbide tipped chains ? Thanks
It should BUT you will probably need diamond bits.
Thanks for the info .
What about a round metal file in a cordless drill? Thanks for the videoes
Yes, I saw a video a guy did with that and it seamed to work, I'll give it a try sometime!
Hey Chris. Great video. What RPM do you use on your Dremel? Thanks
Wide open!
Thanks Bro.
Thanks for costing me money, going to get a dremel and some bits now lol.
No problem, You will use the dremel for a lot of other things too!
You're not going to be cutting today, probably. Snow blowing more likely! Ya I wondered how you did the depth gauges. I just go by feel, hey it's not biting like it should, and take a few strokes off, but like you said, if the teeth get worn down uneven then I'm not fine tuning each tooth to the best cutting power. I like cutting in clean wood though, where I sometimes get 4 or even up to 6 tanks without too much dulling. Then I hit the pocket in a crotch tree or a hollow critter log and I'm instantly dull so I save them till last thing before sharpening again.
I like my chain to be as sharp as possible at all times so I sharpen or should I say.. touch up.... between almost every tank... never more than two! Yes, you gotta watch out for those DIRTY CROTCHES!!!!
Yes been waiting for this one, thanks Chris. I had a couple questions for ya, but I see other folks asked the same. But I thought of another, what brand / kind of chains do you use. Do you stick just with Husqvarna or may Oregon?
I now use the Husqvarna #H47 chains, 24" .050 3/8. But I have used the Oregons too and do not really notice any difference.
Can't find my dremel, but I have a rotozip. Am I asking for trouble or will it work?
I don't know, I never have used one, but if a bit fits it should! Give it a try!
@@InTheWoodyard well my bits show up tomorrow so we shall see. I'll let you know how it goes
Excellent tutorial, Prof. Chris!😊. Have you ever done any teaching prior to RUclips? Maybe a Hunter educator through your state wildlife agency?
Thanks Brian! Yes I have done a lot of teaching in my profession in the past, I held seminars at my place and I have taught at universities and on stage at big seminars and state conventions in front of hundreds of people, it prepared me for the youtube thing.
@@InTheWoodyard Knew you were a pretty sharp guy(pun intended). Information just validates that.
How well do you like the 572 xp ? Thinking about getting me one. I have always ran a Stihl. What size bar and chain do you use ?
Stihls are real good saws, I would love a new 500i to play with. My 576xps and 572xps are great saws and I'll probably buy more of them! Thanks Lamont!
I've been waiting for this since you said you were going to show us how you sharpen. I'm new to this and only used a hand file 6-8 times but it's slow. Time for me to get a dremel.
When you said you get 3 to 6 sharpening's is that all 3 saws 3 to 6 times or 1 saw 3 to 6 times?
Good question, each stone bit is good for 6-9 sharpenings. If a chain hits a rock or wire it does require more work to sharpen so the stone will wear down faster. I am going to try the diamond bits soon!