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13 Best Electric Chainsaw Sharpeners (Review) In 2021

Written by:
Adrienne Wild
Adrienne Wild
Adrienne Wild

Adrienne started her professional life as a gardener at her local parks department and went on to train at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh where she was the first female student on the prestigious and world-renowned horticultural course run by the Botanic garden. An experienced and award-winning garden writer and past editor of some of Britain’s favourite gardening magazines, Adrienne has for over 30 years, inspired gardeners with a breadth of gardening know-how plus creative and decorative ideas. One of her main aims is to make gardening accessible, even to the smallest green fingers, with her clear advice and straightforward step-by-step instructions. Adrienne loves to travel and has visited, given talks and met ordinary home gardeners in far flung places like China, South Africa, Philippines and Caribbean as well as the UK.

Last Updated: February 22, 2021
Best Choice
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Oregon 410-120 Bench or Wall Mounted Saw Chain Grinder
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Best Value
Blue-Max-12V-Electric-Chainsaw-Sharpening-Kit-image
Blue Max 12V Electric Chainsaw Sharpening Kit
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Premium Pick
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Oregon 120V Hydraulic Assisted Bench Grinder
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Show Contents
Contents
  • 1. Oregon 410-120 Bench or Wall Mounted Saw Chain Grinder
  • 2. MaiDa Electric Chainsaw Sharpener Kit
  • 3. Oregon Sure Sharp 12V Handheld Chainsaw Chain Sharpener
  • 4. Oregon 120V Hydraulic Assisted Bench Grinder
  • 5. TruePower Electric Chain Saw Sharpener
  • 6. EtekStorm Universal Chain Saw Blade Sharpener
  • 7. Timber Tuff Benchtop or Wall Mounted Electric Chain Saw Sharpener
  • 8. Oregon Chainsaw Chain Sharpening Kit with Hard Case
  • 9. Mophorn 110V Chainsaw Sharpener
  • 10. Blue Max 12V Electric Chainsaw Chain Sharpening Kit
  • 11. Chicago Pneumatic Electric Chain Saw Sharpener
  • 12. Blue Max Electric Bench Mount Chainsaw Sharpener
  • 13. SuperHandy Bench or Wall Mounted Cordless Chainsaw Sharpener
Award
Brand
Rating
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Award:

Best Choice
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Brand:

Oregon 410-120 Bench or Wall Mounted Saw Chain Grinder

Rating:

10
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Award:

Premium Pick
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Brand:

Oregon 120V Hydraulic Assisted Bench Grinder

Rating:

9
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Award:

Budget Pick
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Brand:

EtekStorm Universal Chain Saw Blade Sharpener

Rating:

8
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Award:

Best Value
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Brand:

Blue Max 12V Electric Chainsaw Chain Sharpening Kit

Rating:

7
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Award:

Quick Assembly
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Brand:

Blue Max Electric Bench Mount Chainsaw Sharpener

Rating:

7

The Best Electric Chainsaw Sharpener

If you have invested in a chainsaw to keep your garden in tip-top shape, you will no doubt recognize how important it is to maintain the chainsaw blades. Not only will having adequately sharpened blades make it much easy to cut through branches, but it will also help to preserve the life of the appliance. Using dull blades will put unnecessary strain on the chainsaw, causing it to overheat or jam, potentially damaging the motor or the chain.

Having your chainsaw sharpened in a hardware store, or by a professional gardener can be a somewhat costly experience, especially if you need to do this regularly. Luckily, several easy to use, affordable chainsaw sharpeners now exist for home use, which means you can complete the sharpening yourself.

Here, we take a look at the best electric chainsaw sharpeners available, as well as some frequently asked questions to help you understand the right appliance for you, before making a purchase.

If you are planning to upgrade your existing saw, or maybe buy one for the first time, then take a look at our best gas chainsaw and electric chainsaw guides.

1. Oregon 410-120 Bench or Wall Mounted Saw Chain Grinder

Best Choice
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Key Features

    Sharpens up to 0.404-inch pitch chain

    One-way motor

    Three grinding wheels

    Depth gauge grinding

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Oregon 410-120 Bench or Wall Mounted Saw Chain Grinder
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Our best choice for an electric chainsaw sharpener is the Oregon 410-120 Saw Chain Grinder. This model can be mounted as a bench vise or on a wall securely and relatively easily, and the one-way motor helps to ensure safe operation, even for beginners.

With this machine, you get three grinding wheels with a diameter of 5.75inches, configured to sharpen any 1/4, 3/8, low profile, 0.325, 3/8, and 0.404 pitch chains. There is also a quick check grinding template plus a built-in light to make it even more user-friendly. The Oregon 410-120 gives you versatility in the size of pitch chains it can sharpen, but it is designed for occasional use, so if you are looking for sharpeners suited for very regular use then this won’t be the best choice.

    Pros

    Clear assembly and operating instructions

    Works for ripping and regular blades

    Quick operation (approximately 15 minutes)

    Cons

    Not designed for heavy usage

2. MaiDa Electric Chainsaw Sharpener Kit

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Key Features

    Portable plug-in chainsaw sharpeners

    30,000rpm

    No chain removal required

    Adjustable speed switch

    Six grinding bits

    Cable hook

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MaiDa Electric Chainsaw Sharpener Kit
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If you are looking for a portable chainsaw sharpener, then this handheld option is worth considering. The MaiDa Electric Chainsaw Sharpener Kit is a compact unit that can be used anywhere providing there is a power supply and takes very little time to set up as you don’t need to remove the chain from your saw before sharpening.

This sharpener has an adjustable speed dial with a maximum speed of 30,000rpm and comes with six grinding bits; three pink grinding stone bits and three diamond grinding bits. These can be used on 3/8, 0.325, and 0.404-inch chains. The MaiDa is a useful tool for small sharpening tasks, but as there are no instructions, you need to know what you are doing. Several reviews have also recommended replacing the grinding bits with other branded compatible parts as those that are included with the initial kit are not very durable.

    Pros

    Portable

    Adjustable

    No need to remove the chain for sharpening

    Cons

    No instructions included

    Grinding bits don’t last for long

3. Oregon Sure Sharp 12V Handheld Chainsaw Chain Sharpener

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Key Features

    Handheld model

    12-volt car adapter and battery clips

    25,000 RPM

    Three sharpening stones

    Angle adjustment guide

    No need for chain removal

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Oregon Sure Sharp 12V Handheld Chainsaw Chain Sharpener
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The Oregan SureSharp 12V Handheld Chainsaw Chain Sharpener is a truly portable model, as it comes with a car adapter and battery clips, so you don’t even need a wall plug for operation. It is a small appliance that fits in one hand and is very lightweight. The included cord is 28inches, which you attach to your car battery, or if you don’t want to stand next to your car, a standalone 12V battery.

With this sharpener, you get three grinding stones; 5/32, 3/16, and 7/32 which can be easily installed according to your chain size. As with other handheld models, you don’t need to remove the chain before you sharpen it. A collet wrench is included to make it easier to tighten the stones and the angle adjustment guide and shield help to determine the correct grinding angle safely.

    Pros

    Very portable

    Quick at sharpening

    Easy to use

    Cons

    Can’t be used in a regular plug

4. Oregon 120V Hydraulic Assisted Bench Grinder

Premium Pick
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Key Features

    Bench clamp grinder

    Hands-free clamping

    Works on all chains to 3/4inches

    Three grinding wheels

    Dressing brick and template included

    One-way 0.4HP motor

    3400 RPM

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Oregon 120V Hydraulic Assisted Bench Grinder
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Our premium pick for the best electric chainsaw sharpener is Oregon 120V Hydraulic Assisted Bench Grinder. The 620-120 hydraulic bench grinder clamps directly onto your bench using hydraulic assist power, so no manpower is needed at all. This is designed for high-volume usage and is compatible with all chains up to 3/4″ pitch with its three grinding wheels. A dressing brick to remove debris from your wheel is also included.

The Oregon 620-120 chainsaw sharpeners work quickly and effectively, although there are some concerns around the durability of the depth adjustment screws which have plastic component. It can be knocked out of the perfect set-up quite easily. This is not the best chainsaw tool for beginners as the instructions are not very helpful so you need to know what you are doing.

    Pros

    Highly compatible

    Very efficient – less than 5minutes to sharpen a chain

    Hydraulic clamp

    Cons

    Poor manual/instructions

    High price point

5. TruePower Electric Chain Saw Sharpener

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Key Features

    4200 RPM

    Chain rotation rollers

    One grinding wheel

    Large safety guard

    Mounts to benches or walls

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TruePower Electric Chain Saw Sharpener
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The TruePower Electric Chain Saw Sharpener is one of the more affordable mounted models available. This can be mounted onto either walls or benches and gives you a 4200 RPM which makes quick work of sharpening blades.

You only get one grinding wheel with this device, which measures 4-1/4inch x 1/8 inch and it is adjustable to sharpen most chain sizes. It isn’t designed for very regular use. This sharpener is quite basic, but this does mean that it is straightforward to assemble and use, which is just as well as the instructions are not helpful!

    Pros

    Very easy to assemble

    Good value for money

    Works well for occasional usage

    Cons

    Not designed for heavy usage

    Instructions are confusing

6. EtekStorm Universal Chain Saw Blade Sharpener

Budget Pick
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Key Features

    Portable sharpeners

    Fits 14”, 15”, 18” and 20” blades

    Large safety guard

    No assembly required

    18-month warranty

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EtekStorm Universal Chain Saw Blade Sharpener
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Our budget pick for the best chainsaw sharpener is one that requires no battery power or electricity to operate, making it a very portable option. With the EtekStorm Universal Chain Saw Blade Sharpener, you simply place your blades in between the whetstone and gently operate the chainsaw. This movement will grind the blade against the whetstone, sharpening it.

There are four whetstones included in this kit, and it is described as being compatible with 14, 16, 18, or 20-inch chainsaw bars, except for Echo or Stihl brands. Overall for an alternative, portable way to sharpen chainsaw blades, this works well. However, it is only compatible with blades that have two holes that fit the two pins in the sharpener to hold it in place. If your blade only has one hole, as many do, then you will either need to drill an extra hold in your blade or remove the second pin from the chainsaw sharpeners.

    Pros

    Highly portable

    Lightweight

    Very easy to operate

    Cons

    Not compatible with all blades

    Not as effective as motor-powered sharpeners

7. Timber Tuff Benchtop or Wall Mounted Electric Chain Saw Sharpener

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Key Features

    5800rpm maximum speed

    ETL and CETL approved

    1/4” to ¾” chain sharpener

    Bench or wall mounting

    Thermo-overload protection

    Three grinding wheels

    One-year warranty

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Timber Tuff Benchtop or Wall Mounted Electric Chain Saw Sharpener
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The Timber Tuff’s CS-BWM Upright Bench Mount Electric Chain Saw Chain Sharpener securely mounts to most work surfaces, be it walls or benches. It has a 110V, 60 Hz motor and can accurately sharpen chains from 1/4″ to 3/4″.

The easy-to-read adjustment guides help you to grind your chains, and there is a see-through safety shield plus a built-in light for added visibility. This sharpener is also fitted with thermo-overload protection for added safety and comes with three grinding wheels; 1/8″, 3/16″, and 1/4″. The durability of this machine is a concern with its many plastic components, but it does come with a one-year warranty to give you some assurance.

    Pros

    Easy to use

    Efficient sharpening

    Added safety features

    Cons

    Durability

    Poor instructions

8. Oregon Chainsaw Chain Sharpening Kit with Hard Case

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Key Features

    Round files, flat file, file guide, and depth gauge tool included

    Stump vice

    Chainsaw wrench and mini screwdriver

    Manual sharpener

    Heavy-duty hard case

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Oregon Chainsaw Chain Sharpening Kit with Hard Case
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The Oregon Chainsaw Chain Sharpening Kit contains everything you could possibly need to keep your chainsaw in top condition. Inside the heavy-duty hard case, there are 16 different components, including a wrench and mini screwdriver.

For sharpening, there are three round files, a flat file, a file guide, a depth gauge tool as well as two wooden file handles. The stump vice will also hold your chainsaw securely in place on tree stumps, by creating a working bench for your sharpener. While there is no motorized sharpening tool in this kit, the in-depth instructions will help you to manually file your blades accurately, whether you are in the woods or your back garden. It might not be the quickest way to sharpen blades, but all the components in this kit make it one of the best chainsaw sharpener options to maintain all aspects of your blade.

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    Pros

    Multi-functional

    Highly compatible

    Cons

    No motorized sharpener

9. Mophorn 110V Chainsaw Sharpener

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Key Features

    Study cast aluminium construction

    Built-in light

    Safety guards

    Tilting vice

    3000RPM

    Wall or bench mounting

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Mophorn 110V Chainsaw Sharpener
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The Mophorn 110V Chainsaw Sharpener is a heavy-duty, sturdy machine that comes with two grinding wheels – 1/8 inch and 3/16 inch. With a motor operating at a speed of 3000RPM, and adjustable settings, it can comfortably sharpen chains from 1/4″ to 3/8″.

The Mophorn chainsaw sharpener can be fitted to a wall or a desk as you need, and the angles can be changed very easily, as can the blades and grinding wheels. There is also a light to help you see what you are doing when sharpening. This is a good value for money product with a very quiet motor although some of the instructions and diagrams are very difficult to read to get it initially set up.

    Pros

    Sturdy and effective

    Built-in light

    Good value for money

    Cons

    Assembly is confusing

10. Blue Max 12V Electric Chainsaw Chain Sharpening Kit

Best Value
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Key Features

    Connects to 12V battery

    25,000 RPM

    Three sizes of sharpening stones

    Wrench, multi-wrench, and collet cover

    Sharpening guide included

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Blue Max 12V Electric Chainsaw Chain Sharpening Kit
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Our best value option for an electric sharpener, the BlueMax Electric Chainsaw Sharpener is powered by a 12V battery. It can be connected to a car, truck, or standalone battery, so great if you need to sharpen blades in remote locations.

There are three sizes of sharpening stones; 5/32″, 3/16″, and 7/32″, so it’s versatile enough to sharpen most blades and includes a sharpening guide. The included wrenches, chucks, and collet cover make this easy and safe to handle while using. There is little to fault with the BlueMax sharpeners although there are some reports of the kits not coming with all its listed parts. Be sure to carefully check you have everything you should do!

    Pros

    Portable

    High RPM for quick sharpening

    Compatible

    Cons

    Some reports of kits missing pieces

11. Chicago Pneumatic Electric Chain Saw Sharpener

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Key Features

    Bench mounted

    One size grinding wheel

    Chain rotation rollers

    115V motor

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Chicago Pneumatic Electric Chain Saw Sharpener
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The Chicago Pneumatic Electric Chain Saw Sharpener comes with a vice that means it can be mounted to a bench or wall for secure sharpening. It has a maximum grinding speed of 4200 RPM and runs with a 115V motor that operates when attached to a plug socket. It is relatively powerful with chain rotation rollers, and it is fitted with a side safety guard for safe operation.

This is not the most precise chainsaw sharpener, and it may accidentally skip teeth, so you have to pay close attention to use it. It works quickly and is easy to maneuver, but it is worth playing around with to understand the nuances and how to overcome any quirks to get the best possible results from it.

    Pros

    Affordable

    Good safety features

    Cons

    Not very precise

12. Blue Max Electric Bench Mount Chainsaw Sharpener

Quick Assembly
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Key Features

    Bench or wall mount sharpener

    4200RPM

    Adjustable vice angle

    One grinding wheel

    Mains powered

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Blue Max Electric Bench Mount Chainsaw Sharpener
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This product is another offering from Blue Max. Blue Max Electric Bench Mount Chainsaw Sharpener can be adjusted to fit any chain and has precision angle adjustment. This means that you can adjust the table vice up to 35 degrees; left or right depending on the requirements of your chain.

The sharpener can be mounted to your wall or bench and features one grinding wheel. This wheel has a diameter of 4 1/4″ and is 1/8″ thick and rotates at a speed of 4200RPM, with no alternative speed settings. The Blue Max is relatively easy to put together and use for the first time provided you follow instructions carefully and don’t skip any steps. It is a pretty basic electric chainsaw sharpener that gets the job done, but there are a few reports of durability issues after around one year of use.

    Pros

    Quite easy to assemble

    Adjustable angles

    Affordable

    Cons

    Speed isn’t adjustable

    Durability

13. SuperHandy Bench or Wall Mounted Cordless Chainsaw Sharpener

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Key Features

    Lithium-Ion Battery powered

    Wall or bench mounted

    23mm grinding wheel

    Adjustable vice angle

    6500RPM

    Compact and portable

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SuperHandy Bench or Wall Mounted Cordless Chainsaw Sharpener
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As a lithium battery powers the SuperHandy Chainsaw Sharpener, this is a good option to consider if you need to use it in various locations and don’t always have access to mains power. You will, of course, need to ensure the battery is charged and it is only recommended to use the included SuperHandy branded charger. On average, you should be able to sharpen three chains on one charge.

This is a wall or bench mounted model, and it has an adjustable vice angle up to 35 degrees left and right, similar to the Blue Max sharpener. Despite being battery powered, the SuperHandy option is very efficient, with 3500RPM. The is no adjustable speed option in for when you want to do smaller, more precise tasks. The grinder wheel is a standard 4-1/4 inch size, and there is a small work light situated just above this to give you greater visibility when sharpening. If you put your chain through its paces on a daily basis then you will appreciate the portability of this model. Make sure to check out our newest buying guide for best angle grinders.

    Pros

    Portable

    Compact

    Highly efficient

    Cons

    Only works on battery power

    No adjust speed setting

Features To Consider With Electric Chainsaw Sharpeners

Durability

When choosing from the best electric chainsaw sharpeners, durability is one of the key factors to consider. Given that the sharpener might be used on your best chainsaw, you want an appliance that is reliable and can keep your blades in great condition, consistently. You will see from the reviews that some of the products are designed for occasional or light use. These are the best option if you don’t use your saw regularly.

However, if you are frequently putting your saw to task for large projects then you will need to sharpen it more often. For this, you should select a product that is designed for heavy use. This will ensure you can use it multiple times without affecting its durability and avoid any reliability issues.

Power

Electric chainsaw sharpeners have three power source options; mains power (plug socket), battery, or manual.

The plug-in variety will generally give you more power than the other two methods, with greater rotating speeds, which means more efficient sharpening. They are also the most reliable and require little effort or strainer from the user. If however, you do not have direct access to a plug socket, then a manual chainsaw sharpener or battery-powered model would be the best choice for you.

Portable battery options will often run from a 12V battery, which is typically found in your car, or with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. For the 12 volt models, you can either connect these directly to your car battery or use an adapter that fits in the cigarette lighter. If you don’t like the idea of having to be close to a car or van while sharpening, you can buy a standalone 12volt battery than can be used anywhere.

A manual chainsaw sharpener requires a lot more effort on your part to complete the process, so it may be more exhausting, but is the better option if you don’t have easy access to power.

RPM (Revolutions Per Minute)

RPM, or revolutions per minute measures how quickly a grinding tool or disc will rotate. Generally speaking, the higher the sharpeners' RPM, the quicker it will be to complete the sharpening process.

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Safety

Even the best chainsaw sharpener comes with an element of risk to your safety as you are working with blades, a chain, and often a motor. This is why it is always recommended to wear safety goggles and gloves when handling a chainsaw.

Safety features to look out for with an electric sharpener will include a shield that sits above the grinder and chain, to protect you from any flying debris. Automatic shutdowns that come into play when the machine overheats or the chain jams, and built-in lights to enhance your visibility are other useful additions.

Size

Chainsaw sharpeners vary considerably in shape and size, with no one dimension being the best option. When you are contemplating the size, at first glance you can look at how big the machine is, to see if it will fit your workspace, wall mount, or if it is compact enough to be portable. Yet there are more size aspects to consider to ensure compatibility. The gauge will measure the thickness of your drive links and the pitch indicates the distance between these links.

There must be a match between the pitch and gauge of your chainsaw and sharpeners for it to perform correctly.

Universal Compatibility

Most chainsaw sharpeners are designed to work on the most common pitch sizes. These are the 1/4 inch, 0.325 inch, 3/8 inch, 3/8 low-profile, and the 0.404-inch pitches. You should be able to check the size of your saw pitch by looking at the product information or measuring the distance between chain rivets and dividing this by two.

Extra grinding wheels that suit different pitch sizes will give you further flexibility on the chains that can be used with the chain sharpeners.

You may also want to look for an electric chainsaw sharpener that has an adjustable grinding depth, which helps you alter how deeply you cut into the metal. This won’t improve the compatibility of the sharpener but it will give you more control over the end result.

Some of the chainsaw sharpeners we reviewed do state that there are a few brands they are not compatible with or have a reduced list of sizes that they can accommodate this. Always ensure you check full details before you purchase the best sharpener for your use.

perfectly sharpened chainsaw

Electric Chainsaw Sharpener FAQ

Q: Why does my chainsaw chain dull so quickly?

A:

If you are concerned that your chainsaw is dulling too quickly, you should first check that the chain is fitted correctly.

Next, you should check the guide bar to ensure there is no damage or twists, which would interrupt the smooth running of the chain.

If the guide bar and chain are correct, then the blades could be getting dull because you are cutting through dirty, damp wood, or bumping earth while it is operating. Any of these obstacles will quickly dull a chain.

Q: How often should you sharpen a chainsaw chain?

A:

Using a blunt instrument, in this case, a dull chainsaw can cause serious injury. A dull saw will kick back more, and in an unpredictable pattern, making it difficult to control. Additionally, the performance and power of the tool will be impacted. If this is the case, you can switch to a pole saw until you sharpen your chainsaw blade correctly.

How often you need to sharpen your saw will depend on how heavily it is used but as a rough guide it should be sharpened every five hours, after especially tough jobs, or when you feel it is not performing as well as usual. A quick tip is to look at the waste material that your saw is creating. Wood chips are normal, but sawdust is a sign that sharpening is needed.

Q: What angle should you set an electric chainsaw sharpener?

A:

The required angle for sharpening will vary according to the blade and the device that you are using so you should always refer to the manufacturers' guide. As a very rough guide, most chains have a 30degree angle, so your sharpener will perform best at a similar angle to this.

Related Reads

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Best Gas Chainsaws
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