Chain Maintenance, How to Sharpen the Cutters

MAINTENANCE

Chain Maintenance

See Figures 31 - 32.

CAUTION:

Remove the battery pack and make sure the chain has stopped before you do any work on the saw.

Use only low-kickback chain on this saw. This fast-cutting chain will provide kickback reduction when properly main- tained.

For smooth and fast cutting, chain needs to be maintained properly. The chain requires sharpening when the wood chips are small and powdery, the chain must be forced through the wood during cutting, or the chain cuts to one side. During maintenance of your chain, consider the following:

Improper filing angle of the side plate can increase the risk of a severe kickback.

Raker (depth gauge) clearance.

Too low increases the potential for kickback.

Not low enough decreases cutting ability.

If cutter teeth have hit hard objects such as nails and stones, or have been abraded by mud or sand on the wood, have service dealer sharpen chain.

NOTE: Inspect the drive sprocket for wear or damage when replacing the chain. If signs of wear or damage are present in the areas indicated, have the drive sprocket replaced by a Ryobi Service dealer.

How to Sharpen the Cutters

See Figures 33 - 34.

Be careful to file all cutters to the specified angles and to the same length, as fast cutting can be obtained only when all cutters are uniform.

Wear gloves for protection. Properly tension the chain prior to sharpening. Refer to Chain Tension Section earlier in this manual. Do all of your filing at the mid-point of the bar.

Use a 5/32 in. diameter round file and holder.

Keep the file level with the top plate of the tooth. Do not let the file dip or rock.

Using light but firm pressure, stroke towards the front corner of the tooth.

Lift file away from the steel on each return stroke.

Put a few firm strokes on every tooth. File all left hand cutters in one direction. Then move to the other side and file the right hand cutters in the opposite direction. Oc- casionally remove filings from the file with a wire brush.

Cutting
Corner
Top Plate	Side Plate
Rivet Hole	Depth Gauge
Rivet Hole
Heel	Toe
	Toe
Gullet	Fig. 31
	Fig. 31
check for wear
or damage

Fig. 32

Fig. 33

LEFT HAND

CUTTERS

RIGHT HAND
CUTTERS	Fig. 34