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About Chainsaws FAQ

How often do I need to stop and file the chain?

Madsen's says "when the chips it cuts are no longer chips but dust, or when you have to physically push or force it to cut" you need to sharpen.  "You should be able to put your saw to the wood and not have to push very hard for it to cut. The harder you have to push, the duller it is getting. Pushing harder on your saw to force it to cut also leads to fatigue, enhancing the risk of injury."

What does the Forestry Board have to say?

Here are some quotes from the board...

"Several things, often working together, can make a chainsaw cut crooked. Improper sharpening, or different depth gauge heights will do it. These also wear the bar more on one side, so even if you put a new chain on it may still cut to one side." - TREEMAN2

A great collection of sharpening tips from Madsen...

More on Chainsaws from your About Forestry Guide

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