Maintaining and Sharpening the Saw Chain

Cutting effortlessly with a correctly sharpened chain

A properly sharpened chain slices through wood effortlessly and requires very little feed pressure.

Do not work with a dull or damaged chain as it will increase the physical effort required, produce unsatisfactory results and a higher rate of wear.

NClean the chain.

NCheck the chain for cracks in the links and damaged rivets.

NReplace any damaged or worn parts of the chain and match the new parts to the shape and size of the original parts.

Carbide-tipped saw chains (Duro) are particularly wear resistant. STIHL recommends you have your chain resharpened by a STIHL servicing dealer.

It is absolutely essential to comply with the angles and dimensions specified below. If the saw chain is incorrectly sharpened – and in particular if the depth gauge is set too low – there is a risk of increased kickback of the saw, with resulting risk of injury.

a

689BA027 KN

The chain pitch (a) is marked on the depth gauge end of each cutter.

Mark (a)

Chain pitch

 

 

inch

mm

 

1/4 or 1

1/4

6,35

P, PM or 6

3/8 P

9,32

325 or 2

0.325

8,25

3/8 or 3

3/8

9,32

404 or 4

0.404

10,26

Use only special saw chain sharpening files. Other files have the wrong shape and cut.

Select file diameter according to chain pitch – see table “Sharpening Tools”.

You must observe certain angles when resharpening the chain cutter.

A

B

KN

689BA021

 

AFiling angle

BSide plate angle

 

 

English

Chain type

Angle (°)

 

A

B

Rapid Micro (RM)

30

75

Rapid Super (RS)

30

60

Picco Micro (PM)

30

75

Rapid Micro X (RMX, rip-

10

75

ping chain)

 

 

Rapid Micro X (RMX, rip-

10

75

ping chain)

 

 

Cutter shapes Micro = Semi-chisel Super = Full chisel

The specified angles A and B are obtained automatically if the recommended files or sharpening tools and correct settings are used.

The angles must be the same on all cutters. If the angles are uneven: Chain will run roughly, not in a straight line, wear quickly and finally break.

689BA025 KN

As these requirements can be met only after sufficient and constant practice:

NUse a file holder

A file holder must be used for manual resharpening (see table "Sharpening Tools"). The correct filing angles are marked on the file holder.

MS 441 C-M

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