Have you ever had to work with a dull chainsaw blade? Dull blades are one of the most common causes of accidents in construction.
A sharp blade is safer and easier to use, but it can get dull quickly. As a result, it is extremely important to know how to sharpen chainsaw blades with Dremel so you can avoid having to pay big sums of money for costly professional service.
Here’s How to Sharpen Chainsaw Blade with Dremel
When sharpening your saw blade with a Dremel, the goal is to create a brand new bevel on each side of the teeth. So, just follow these steps:
Step 01: Get Your Supplies Ready
Before you start sharpening your chainsaw blade, make sure you have all of the supplies you’ll need. Before you get started, make sure you have the following supplies:
- Dremel with a chainsaw blade attachment and a grinder bit
- Extra fine-grit sandpaper
- Toothpaste or wax (optional)
- A clean rag to wipe down your blade after sharpening it
These supplies can help you sharpen your chainsaw blade. Take a look at this awesome blog, which will make finding additional supplies easier.
Step 02: Prepare Your Saw Blade for Sharpening
When you’re about to sharpen your saw blade, make sure that it isn’t attached to the chainsaw. This may seem like a given, but many people simply keep using a dull saw while they try their best to sharpen it.
This step is important because it allows you to use both hands so you can properly hold and control your saw blade. To get started, apply some sandpaper to your saw so it is rough enough for your Dremel to grip it.
Step 03: Begin Shaping the Bevels on Your Saw
Put some toothpaste or wax onto the Dremel’s grinder bit and then begin slowly grinding away at each side of your saw blade. The goal is to create a brand new level. This can take several minutes to complete, so you will have to use some patience.
Step 04: Keep Sharpening Your Chainsaw Blade
Stop using the Dremel and continue to sharpen your chainsaw with fine-grit sandpaper for one minute at a time.
Step 05: Clean Your Chainsaw
After you’re done shaping your bevels, wipe down the blade with a clean rag and then apply some oil for lubrication. Just keep in mind that you don’t want to get any fluids on the teeth of your saw. Doing so could damage it or make it duller than before.
Step 06: Reattach the Chainsaw to the Sprocket
After you’ve sharpened it, make sure you reattach your saw blade back onto its original sprocket. This will get rid of the slack in your chain and ensure that it is safe for use.
Step 07: Test Your Sharpened Saw Blade
To test the sharpness of your blades, try to cut through a piece of thick wood. If you find that it is extremely difficult as soon as the saw touches the wood, then you know your blade is still dull and needs some more time to grind.
However, if the saw only takes a few seconds to cut through the wood, then you know that it’s sharp and ready to be used.
Now that you know how to sharpen saw blades with Dremel and fine-grit sandpaper, you can work more safely and avoid spending money on costly professional services.
Types of Dremel Sharpen Bits
There are several types of Dremel bits, but they aren’t all made for sharpening chainsaw blades. When sharpening chainsaw blades, you have to use the following bits.
1. Sanding Bits
These types of Dremel bits are typically made for shaping, sanding, and finishing. They’re best used with sandpaper because they don’t remove metal as quickly or efficiently as other types of Dremel bits.
2. Grinding Bits
In many cases, grinder bits are the best choice for sharpening chainsaw blades because they allow you to work more quickly and precisely with larger blades. However, they can be a little pricier.
3. Abrasive Points
These are the types of bits that are used to create custom attachments for your grinder. For example, if you wanted a bit that had a large surface area, then this would be the type of Dremel bit you’d buy.
4. Honing Stones
These can be useful if you’re trying to hone a blade but don’t have any sandpaper. Honing stones attach to your Dremel and can provide a similar finish without damaging the metal of your chainsaw blade.
5. Ceramic Bits
Ceramic bits aren’t ideal for sharpening chainsaw blades, but they can help you smooth out a rough saw blade. They’re also valuable for polishing metals and plastic surfaces.
Advantages of Sharpening Chainsaw Blades
i) Sharpened chainsaw blades are easier to control, so you can work with them safely and efficiently.
ii) Sharpened chainsaw blades will cut through wood more quickly and effortlessly. This means less time working on the job site and more time getting the task at hand completed.
iii) Since sharpened chainsaw blades will stay sharp for a longer period of time, you won’t have to worry about them becoming dull or damaging other materials.
iv) Sharpened chainsaw blades last longer because they don’t damage other surfaces while cutting through wood.
This means you can use the same blade for consecutive jobs without having to buy a new one every time.
v) Sharpening your own chain saw blades are more eco-friendly since you’ll be recycling the old blade instead of throwing it away and purchasing a new one.
FAQs
There are several frequent questions that arise about sharpening chainsaw blades with Dremel. Below are some of the more common ones with their corresponding answers.
1. Which Bit Is Best for Sharpening a Chainsaw Blade?
That really depends on your needs, but usually grinding bits are the most effective option since they can sharpen larger saw blades and don’t take as much time as other bits.
2. How Long Will It Take to Grind a Chainsaw Blade?
That depends on the condition of your blade, but if you’re using a grinding bit then it should only take 15-30 seconds to get the job done depending on how dull the blade is.
3. When Should I Sharpen a Chainsaw Chain?
If you have a high-quality chainsaw blade, then sharpening it once or twice a year should suffice. To keep your blade for as long as possible without having to replace it, it is suggested that you sharpen it every six months.
4. Do I Need Any Special Equipment to Use a Dremel?
No, you should be able to purchase the correct bit at any hardware store and your Dremel will come with an instruction booklet. Usually, it’s best to use a grinder when sharpening chainsaw blades because they don’t damage the metal while cutting through wood.
Conclusion
By using the right type of Dremel bit, you can work more efficiently and have a sharper chainsaw blade for longer periods of time.
We hope you know how to sharpen chainsaw blades with Dremel. You can work more safely and avoid spending money on costly professional services.