Most Important Chainsaw Tool | 10 Essential Tools You Need. Chainsaw tool kit

Most Important Chainsaw Tool | 10 Essential Tools You Need

If you are the type of person who needs to use a chainsaw around your home, chances are that there are other tools that you will require to go along with it. A chainsaw will rarely be used by itself without any other products to help get the job done. You’ll need the right chainsaw tool for different circumstances, or that you’ll need to use every time you use your chainsaw.

If you’re yet to get a chainsaw, read my article on the Top 10 Best Rated Chainsaws for 2022.

But, If you’ve just bought a chainsaw, don’t put away your wallet just yet. That is because there are a few other chainsaw tools that you will need to pick up to make your chainsaw run well, efficiently, and for a long time.

I’ll go over a few other chainsaw tools you will most likely need if you have a chainsaw.

Disclosure: The chainsaw items recommended below are my top favorites because they have a great combination of quality and features. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through the links as a way to support this site. If you buy a qualifying product, you’re not charged anything extra, but I’ll get a small commission to help pay for my expenses. I hope you find my advice helpful and discover the best chainsaw stuff for your needs on this list.

Chaps

Using a chainsaw can be messy, messy business.

The kickback from a chainsaw can be pretty strong. When you are using it correctly, it is going to create a lot of sawdust and other residues that will get all over you. Sawdust and additional output from sawing will get everywhere, from your body to the surrounding area and many other places.

Chaps will do precisely what you’d imagine: keep all that sawdust and unpleasant mess off you. They will ensure that you still look good and feel clean when your sawing job is done.

But they do more than that too! Chainsaw chaps help lower the risk of significant harm from kickbacks. Chaps are intended to halt the chainsaw quickly if it comes in touch with your legs and is composed of layers of extra cut material with a tough outer layer. Chaps are necessary; you should never use a chainsaw without them applied to your body, especially when working hard.

most, important, chainsaw, tool, essential, tools

Chainsaw chaps are available at your neighborhood hardware shop or online. Chaps of decent quality may be purchased for less than 100. Chaps with additional layers of protection, ranging from 6 to 9, often cost more than 100 and are advised for professionals.

You can check out these top-rated YARDMARIS Technical Wrap Chainsaw Chaps for 89 on Amazon.

MAKITA 18V LXT Brushless 10” Top Handle Chain Saw. XCU06

I also have a review page on the Best Chainsaw Chaps Pants, to compare more of the best options.

Helmet

A chainsaw helmet is another must-have chainsaw tool that every chainsaw owner should have. This hard plastic hat will protect your most valuable asset: your head.

A helmet is necessary, especially if you chop limbs and branches down. You don’t want to risk something falling on your head and causing you harm. You also don’t know when some debris will come flying off of a branch or downed tree, even if it’s not standing straight up. That is why a helmet is a good idea, no matter what you are sawing.

This TR Industrial Forestry Safety Helmet is a great option. It has a mesh and plastic visor for up-kicked debris and removable earmuffs for hearing protection.

Wedges

A chainsaw wedge is a felling chainsaw tool that should be picked up when you buy your chainsaw. They are used to prevent the tree from falling in the wrong direction.

You don’t want a tree tumbling down on you or your property. You can direct the tree with a wedge and ensure it lands precisely what you intend. It’s helpful, easy to use, and keeps you safe.

The Cold Creek Loggers Spiked Tree Wedges are a great addition to any chainsaw user’s toolbox.

Cant Hook

A long handle with a movable metal hook attached to one end makes up a cant hook. Hook sometimes is known as a cant dog since the word “dog” also refers to the hook. The cant hook is an essential piece of logging equipment used to turn and place felled logs and trunks, which makes it an important chainsaw tool.

Doing a lot of yard work outside and clearing out much debris will make the job so much easier. Check out this Cant Hook by OAOLOWF.

Oil

You will need oil to power your chainsaw, so this is yet another essential chainsaw tool that needs to be considered when starting your outdoor project. The type of oil you need depends on the chainsaw you are using, so you will need to confer with your user manual to ensure you are not filling it up with something you can’t use.

Husqvarna Bar and Chain Oil is popular and favored by many chainsaw users. It’s a high-quality oil that works in most chainsaws, making it very versatile.

Lubricant

Chain lubricant will ensure that the chain is moving correctly, preventing excessive friction in the chain when the chainsaw is being used.

If there is too much friction, the chain will wear and tear and then fall apart. That will eventually lead to the chain breaking entirely. With chain lubricant, you can avoid that devastating outcome.

This bar and chain oil from Oregon is highly recommended and is a top-rated seller!

Logger Belt

You’ll need a logger belt if you are doing a lot of work outside your chainsaw. It is a toolbelt that can hold all the other items and tools you need.

A logger belt can get a bit pricey, but you will use it for a long time. But don’t be surprised if you drop close to 200 bucks on this belt. This is definitely a chainsaw tool that’s going to make your life a whole lot easier.

Gatorback makes great logger belts for tools and is personally one of my favorites. Also, it’s one of my favorite chainsaw tool. It’s defineily a toolbelt for heavy duty tools and lasts a long time. You can find them in the pricerange of 139-149 which is a great price for a logger belt.

Axe

A chainsaw will do most of the job, but sometimes you need an ax to do the last bit of work on a downed tree, soil, or bark. An ax will help you cut up things more precisely, and it will also do your chainsaw a favor by avoiding more strain and hard work and will reduce the wear and tear on your chainsaw too.

Check out this chopping axe by INTERTOOL. It’s perfect for any last bits of heavy duty cutting. Top-rated for it’s non-slip handle and its lightweight design.

Chainsaw Spare Parts

These are very important to have around when you use a chainsaw often. Spare parts are usually required, sometimes when you least expect them. If you don’t have a spare parts kit lying around, your chainsaw will become dormant when something makes it stop working.

You can find spare parts kits everywhere, especially at any home repair store or tool shop that sells your chainsaw and accessories. Some places sell spare parts together but I prefer making my own spare parts kit by picking up parts here and there on my way to the hardware store. This way I can gradually build up my kit and I’ll have the parts from my favorite brands. You never know what you’re going to need!

Sharpening Kit

The truth is that your chainsaw will never stay sharp 100% of the time. Eventually, you will need it sharpened so that it can get the job done and continue slicing with ease. That means that you need a sharpening kit.

A chainsaw sharpening kit consists of a flat file, a depth gauge, a round file, and a file guide. Depending on the size of your saw, you will need a specific sharpening kit designed for your tool.

You should check in with your manual to ensure you get the suitable kit. Otherwise, it will do you no good. And you should check on the teeth of your chainsaw often, typically whenever you refill the gas tank, to ensure they are not getting too dull.

This is the essential tool you should buy for your chainsaw because if you don’t have a sharp chainsaw, you don’t have a helpful tool. In fact, without sharp teeth, it is just a very expensive, loud, and ineffective paperweight.

I really love this sharpening kit by Oregon. It’s a bit pricier than just a small sharpening kit, but it comes with a felling wedge (which is also on my list), a screwdriver and a few other tools. On top of that, it comes in a case which makes storing stuff so much easier- especially if your work space looks like mine or if you’re travelling with tools.

That ends my list of the top essential tools every chainsaw user should own! I hope you found my list useful.

Chainsaw Larry

The 10 Best Chainsaw Sharpeners of 2023

Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer specializing in decorating and design. She covers home products for The Spruce.

Johnathan C. Brewer II is a licensed general contractor specializing in kitchen, bath remodels, and general construction with two decades of professional experience.

Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. The Baltimore native also covered the technology scene for LocalBusiness.com and has been a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post.

Just like any other tool, your chainsaw needs regular maintenance if you want it to perform its best, and that includes sharpening the chain. There are different types of chainsaw sharpeners, some manual and some electric, but all help keep your chainsaw in peak operating condition, as well as improve its safety.

Coleman Cosby, a project manager and landscape design specialist at Yardzen, the online landscape and design company, advises, “If you start seeing smoke while cutting and see burn marks on the cuts, it’s time to sharpen the chain. A dull chainsaw chain is more dangerous to use than a sharp one, as it is harder to control and likelier to slip. Make sure the size of the chainsaw sharpening file or wheel is correct and matches the pitch and gauge of your chain—pitch is the space between the chain ‘teeth’ and gauge is the thickness of the chain—and use a guide so you’re running the file at the correct angle to sharpen the chain effectively.”

Best Overall

Oregon 410-120 Compact Universal Chainsaw Sharpener

For a chainsaw sharpener that will deliver consistent results and keep your tool in top shape, you can’t go wrong with the Oregon Compact Universal Chainsaw Sharpener. While somewhat of an investment, this tool is worth it for anyone who regularly needs to tune up chainsaws, whether you’re chopping wood for your own fireplace, clearing brush, or providing professional landscaping services. It can sharpen models from a variety of popular brands and includes everything you need for the best results.

This 120-volt chain grinder can be mounted to a workbench or wall, and it can sharpen 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch low profile, 0.325-inch, full profile 3/8-inch, and.404-inch pitch chains from all manufacturers (including Oregon, STIHL, Husqvarna, and more). The unit comes with a grinder, dressing brick, quick-check grinding template, and three grinding wheels. It has a built-in wheel wear indicator and even a light for better visibility while you work.

While this chainsaw sharpener may be overkill for someone who only cuts wood a few times a year, if you use your tool regularly, the Oregon chain saw sharpener is a worthwhile investment.

Price at time of publish: 210

Best Manual

Katzco Chainsaw Sharpener File Kit

If you like to do things the old-fashioned way—or just want to save some money—the affordable Katzco Chainsaw Sharpener File Kit includes everything you need to manually sharpen your chains. The eight-piece kit comes with three round fine-tooth files, a filing guide, depth-gauge tool, 6-inch fine-tooth flat file, and a hardwood handle, as well as a convenient tool pouch where you can store all the items.

This kit can be used on any chainsaw, and it includes files in 5/32-, 3/16-, and 7/32-inch sizes. The files and the depth-gauge tool can be inserted into the included handle for a more comfortable grip, allowing you to work more quickly. Plus, the whole set costs less than 20, making it an ideal option for those who only sharpen their chainsaw a few times a year or need to sharpen chains far away from sources of electricity.

Price at time of publish: 17

Best Value

EzzDoo 3-in-1 Electric Chainsaw Sharpener Kit

While the least expensive chainsaw sharpeners are manual files, many people prefer the ease and speed of a manual tool. And the EzzDoo 3-in-1 Electric Chainsaw Sharpener Kit helps you quickly and accurately sharpen your chainsaw so you can get back to work as soon as possible. The kit includes four titanium-plated grinding wheels in sizes 5/32-, 3/16- and 7/32-inch (You get two of the 7/32 wheels) an angle guide attachment with clearly marked angles of 25-, 30-, and 35-degrees, and the corded tool itself, which weighs just 1.4 pounds.

The sharpener has six speed settings, with a range of 10,000 rpm to a maximum of 35,000 rpm. It’s comfortable to hold and very easy to use; once you watch the instructional video on YouTube, you’ll be able to sharpen your chainsaw in just a few minutes with no need to remove the chain or deal with much fuss or bother.

Price at time of publish: 50

Best Bench-Mounted

Timber Tuff CS-BWM Benchtop Electric Chainsaw Sharpener

If you have a spacious workbench, you may want to have your chainsaw sharpener mounted right onto the surface, and the Timber Tuff Benchtop Electric Chainsaw Sharpener is designed to do just that. This bench-mounted sharpener runs on a small-but-powerful motor, and it can also be mounted to the wall or a vise—just be sure it’s installed properly, otherwise you may run into vibration issues.

This chainsaw sharpener delivers a 3,600 rpm grinding speed. It comes with three grinding wheels sizes 1/8-, 3/16-, and 1/4-inch to sharpen chains from 1/4-inch to 3/4-inch pitch. It has an easy-to-read adjustment guide to keep you accurately sharpening, and a see-through safety shield plus built-in worklight to make the task safer and easier. You can angle it to either side for precise work on your chain.

Price at time of publish: 181

amazing tools|Mini Chainsaw 4-Inch,GardtechBattery Powered#woodworking #amazing #tools #short #tips

Best Wall-Mounted

Buffalo Tools ECSS Electric Chainsaw Sharpener

Save space in your workshop with a wall-mounted model like the Buffalo Tools ECSS Electric Chainsaw Sharpener. This tool easily adjusts to accommodate most popular chain designs, and you can attach it to a bench, wall, or vise for easy access and unbeatable stability. The Buffalo Tools Chainsaw Sharpener can be used on chains gauge.05 to.08 inches, but it won’t sharpen.043-inch chains. The chain pitch is 3/8 inch, which is the most common size, but can be adjusted for most common pitches.

To use the device, all you have to do is plug it into a 120-volt wall outlet, and it has a 4-1/2 inch grinding wheel with a 1/8-inch thickness that will make quick work of the task thanks to its 4,200 RPM grinding speed. While this tool may take a little while to figure out, once you get the hang of using it, the sharpener will allow you to easily restore chains to their optimal state.

Price at time of publish: 65

Best Bar-Mounted

Granberg 106B Bar-Mount Chainsaw Sharpener

The Granberg Bar-Mount Chainsaw Sharpener attaches right to the bar of your chainsaw, allowing you to manually sharpen all standard saw chain pitches without needing to remove the chain. The tool attaches to your guide bar in seconds, and it essentially acts as a guide for your chainsaw file, holding the file at the perfect angle and depth for precise results—it even has calibrated swivel guide markings to help you find the right angle.

The unit is crafted in the U.S. from cast aluminum and zinc-plated steel for unmatched durability, but keep in mind that it doesn’t include any files, so you’ll need to purchase them separately. By using the right file size for your particular chainsaw, you’ll be able to perfectly match the chain manufacturer’s angles.

Price at time of publish: 53

Best Electric

Sharp Pebble Electric Chainsaw Sharpener Kit

Electric chainsaw sharpeners make quick work of sharpening your chains, and this model from Sharp Pebble is an unbeatable value. The handheld electric chain sharpener can be used on any standard chain pitch, and it offers variable speeds, ranging from 8,000 to 33,000 revolutions per minute. The soft grip makes it easy to hold the tool comfortably so you can FOCUS on maintaining precision.

This chainsaw sharpener comes with 5/32-, 3/16-, and 7/32-inch sharpening stones that will deliver a smooth and sharp cutting edge, and the tool also includes a chain angle guide for accurate work. Once you get the hang of using this tool, you’ll be able to sharpen your chainsaw in a matter of minutes—without ever needing to remove the chain! The cord is six feet long, so you can work comfortably without feeling too tethered to the outlet.

Price at time of publish: 60

Best Portable

Oregon 575214 Sure Sharp 12V Handheld Chainsaw Chain Sharpener

The Oregon Sure Sharp Handheld Chainsaw Chain Sharpener is a convenient tool to keep in your truck or bring to job sites, as the portable unit includes both a 12-volt car adapter and battery clips, allowing you to sharpen your chainsaw just about anywhere. This electric unit can be used on 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch low profile, 0.325-inch, 3/8-inch, or 0.404-inch chains, and despite its small size, the sharpener’s motor delivers a 25,000 RPM sharpening speed.

This tool comes with 5/32-inch, 3/16-inch, and 7/32-inch sharpening stones, as well as a collet wrench, and it features a simple sharpening angle adjustment guide for accuracy. The product is lightweight and compact, so it won’t take up much room in your tool kit, but the one downside is that it doesn’t include a standard AC adapter. Its power cord is over 16 feet long, so you have plenty of maneuverability while you work.

Price at time of publish: 34

Best for Dremels

Dremel Chainsaw Sharpening Kit 1453

If you own a Dremel Multi-Tool, which is a rotary tool that can take a wide variety of attachments, then this handy chainsaw sharpening kit is a budget-wise addition to your toolkit. The Dremel Chainsaw Sharpening Kit includes four grinding stones in common sizes to fit various chainsaw blades, a sharpening angle guide attachment, an adjustment gauge, two spacers, a wrench, and full instructions.

Using this attachment is a lot easier than filing the chainsaw blade with a manual file, but not nearly as expensive as owning a single-purpose sharpener that is only designed for this one task. When you use the appropriate grinding stone, you can quickly and easily bring your chain right back to its optimal sharpness, without a lot of fuss and bother, or a steep learning curve. The attachment works with most Dremel Multi-Tools, including the 3000 series, 4000 series, and 8000 series.

Price at time of publish: 22

Best Speed

Garrett Wade Quick-Feed Chain Sharpener

Many electric chainsaw sharpeners require you to advance the chain manually, which means you have to stop and move to the next tooth—a somewhat painstaking task. However, the Garrett Wade Quick-Feed Chain Sharpener solves that problem thanks to its system that helps you quickly and precisely advance the chain, allowing you to sharpen a chain for a 20-inch saw in around four minutes.

This chain sharpener is designed to be mounted to a bench, and it comes with a 4.5-millimeter grinding wheel. The company says it typically takes around 5 minutes to complete the initial setup, and after that, you’ll be able to fly through the sharpening process, getting back to work faster.

Price at time of publish: 110

For regular chainsaw maintenance, the Oregon Compact Universal Chainsaw Sharpener is our top choice. This tool can sharpen chains of various pitches and from many popular brands, making it a must-have in the workshop. However, if you only need to sharpen chains occasionally, the Katzco Chainsaw Sharpener File Kit is a more affordable handheld option that handles any common chainsaw pitch and gauge.

What to Look for in a Chainsaw Sharpener

Type

There are three basic types of chainsaw sharpeners: electric, handheld files, and guides that mount to the chainsaw bar.

Electric chainsaw sharpeners simplify the job by handling the grinding for you. These tools come in a variety of configurations, including sharpeners that mount to a workbench, sharpeners that can mount to a wall, and sharpeners that you hold in your hand similar to a rotary tool. Electric chainsaw sharpeners are fast and convenient, but are more expensive than manual sharpeners and many of them take some practice before you get the hang of using them effectively. This is a good choice if you need to sharpen chainsaws frequently, or are willing to pay more for convenience.

Manual files are the least expensive type of sharpener, and require no electrical outlet or battery to use. Your own muscle power provides the grinding action to the chain, which can be tiring, but also allows you to precisely angle and grind to your chain’s configuration. It typically takes longer to sharpen a chain with a manual file than with an electric sharpener. Still, an experienced user can carry the task out quite rapidly. This type of sharpener is a good choice if you only occasionally need to sharpen a chainsaw, or if you want to spend as little as possible on a sharpener.

Bar-mounted sharpeners are basically guides that help position your manual file precisely. They attach directly to the chainsaw bar, but you’ll need to lay the chainsaw on a flat, sturdy surface to work. These devices are another good choice for someone who doesn’t sharpen chainsaws frequently, but prefers extra guidance when doing so.

Pitch and Gauge

One number you’ll want to know when shopping for a chainsaw sharpener is the pitch of your chainsaw’s chain. If you aren’t sure, it’s usually indicated somewhere on the chainsaw itself, often on the bar.

Pitch is a measurement of the space between links. There are five common chainsaw pitches: 1/4-inch.325-inch, full-profile or low-profile 3/8-inch, and heavy-duty.404-inch. The most common is 3/8-inch low profile, however.

Chainsaw sharpeners are designed to work with various chainsaw chain pitches, but most can handle more than one pitch, and some can sharpen all five of the common sizes of pitch.

Chainsaw chain gauge is another number you’ll want to know. It’s also often indicated on the chainsaw bar. Chain gauge is a measurement of the thickness of the links. The common gauges for chainsaw chains are.043-inch.050-inch.058-inch, or.063-inch.

Grinding Wheels

Electric chainsaw sharpeners include grinding wheels, which need to be appropriately sized to match your chain. Typically, these grinding wheels might be 4 or 5 inches in diameter, but it’s the thickness of the grinding wheel that’s most important, as this is what’s going to fit between the teeth of your chain. As a rough guideline, a 1/8-inch grinding wheel is good for sharpening 1/4-inch.325-inch and 3/8-inch low-profile chains. You’ll need a 3/16-inch grinding stone for 3/8-inch and.404-inch chains. Most electric sharpeners include grinding stones in two or three sizes to cover the majority of chainsaw chain pitches.

Speed

Electric chainsaw sharpeners spin the grinding wheels very quickly, typically 2,500 to 3,800 revolutions per minute, although there are some with speeds as high as 10,000 rpm. Don’t assume that you need the highest speed, however, as lower speeds allow you to more precisely control the grinder.

Some chainsaw sharpeners have variable speed controls, which give you much more finesse in choosing the right speed for your needs.

Fixed or Portable

If you have the room for it, and expect to do a lot of chain sharpening, a bench-top sharpener, which is generally the most heavy-duty type, is a good option. But if you don’t have a workbench with enough room, a wall-mounted sharpener is another fixed-in-place option that can tackle regular use. These are generally corded electric devices.

If you prefer something portable that can be toted with you to a worksite, then look for portable sharpeners that are either battery-powered or manual. You’ll also want to consider weight and ease of handling when choosing a portable chainsaw sharpener.

Remove the battery. Engage the chain brake.
Clamp the bar of the chainsaw in a workbench vise.
If necessary, tighten the chain by turning the tension-adjusting screw. This prevents the chain from turning while you work.
Wipe away grit and dirt with a wire brush.
Marking one of the chain’s teeth with a marker or crayon helps you keep track of your full rotation around the chain.
Set the file in the notch directly behind the marked tooth. The file should be at a slight angle, pointing away from the chainsaw’s motor.
Stroke the file through the notch several times until the metal is silvery and appears sharp. Don’t saw the file back and forth; stroke in one direction only.
Skip the next tooth and insert your file into the second notch; sharpen every other tooth this go-around.
Hold your file at the same angle and make the same number of strokes as you did on the first tooth.
Continue around the chain in this manner until you return to your starting point.
Flip the chainsaw over, and re-clamp it to your workbench vise.
Using the same technique, sharpen the remaining teeth, moving to every other tooth until you return to your starting point.
Next, check the depth-gauge rakers (the small, slightly rounded points located before each tooth on the chain). Place the depth gauge tool that came with your sharpening kit over each raker in turn. If the raker sticks up above the depth gauge tool, use the flat file included with your sharpening kit to file the raker level with the depth gauge tool.
Work your way around the chain, filing any too-tall rakers.
Brush away any metal dust or scrapings.
Unclamp your chainsaw and reset the chain tension to your usual tightness.
It’s harder to cut through wood, and you notice more sawdust being produced
The chainsaw pulls or is harder to control
Cuts are uneven or crooked
The chainsaw smokes
You notice worn or damaged teeth on the chain

It depends on what you are cutting. Hardwoods wear a chain out much more quickly than softwoods like conifers. Also, large-diameter trees dull a chain more quickly than small diameter. If you are cutting large hardwoods for a full day, you might need to put on a freshly sharpened chain during the day. Generally, chains stay sharp for 4 to 6 hours of cutting. If you hit a rock or metal, the chain is often damaged beyond sharpening and must be discarded and replaced.

Because a little more metal is worn away every time you sharpen the chainsaw blade, there are only so many times you can sharpen before the chain is too worn for further use. As a general rule, however, you can sharpen the chain up to five times, although chains that only see very light use might be able to be sharpened a few more times than that.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, whose partner is a carpenter and contractor for luxury homes. He provided product recommendations and expert insights for this list. Additional reporting was done by Nadia Hassani, a master gardener with over 20 years of gardening experience, and further insights were offered by Coleman Cosby, a project manager and landscape design specialist at Yardzen, the online landscape and design company.

Michelle Ullman is the home improvement/tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs around the house and yard.

Sources:

https://chainsawlarry.com/chainsaw-tool/
https://www.thespruce.com/best-chainsaw-sharpeners-5089779

Chainsaws chainsaw, essential, important, most, tool, tools