The Secret To Sharpening Your Chainsaw Chains! 

Watching someone with years of experience give advice and pointers is always a pleasure to watch. Nicely done !!

Hey Dad, don't sell yourself short. You've got a lot of wisdom, and though you've raised lovely hard working young men and women who make great videos, we really love this kind of content from Dad!! Maybe adding a quick tip segment to the daily videos would be a benefit to widen the viewer base.😊

Saw arrived yesterday ru-vid.comUgkxfQm1wmg0ItKDLavxj1nXtQY9HP7EF504 and today I cut about 3/4 cord of wood with it. Make sure you get an extension chord that is at least 12 gauge wire, minimum. This is my first electric in about 10 years, and things sure have improved. The self-sharpener works great, and it just kept cutting through some pretty decent logs. Wear your eye protection, and ear protection. Excellent saw.

It's been about 15 years since I've spent time behind a chainsaw, but I can still remember people such as co-workers, supervisors, and chainsaw certification instructors all passing on their chain-sharpening knowledge. What I can not remember is any of them being as thorough and informative as this video. Excellent presentation.

Been running saws for nearly 50 years and you provided the answers no dealer could! Love your channel and love the work ethic you are instilling in your children. 🇺🇸🇺🇸

I did not realize how much I needed this information. Solid tutorial.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN A VID THAT POINTS OUT THE THINGS YOU HAVE, ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE DIFFERENT PROBLEMS THAT CAN ACCURE WITH THE BAR'S, BRILLIANT INFO, FROM UK.

Great pointers - I learned a few things. One thing I will add is... I always get the bar in the vise then run the chain around until I find where the "master link is" or where you see two teeth going in the same direction. I use this as my starting point so that as I go around, I can see where I started then turn around to get the other set of teeth. Really want to make sure that you're only doing the same number of passes on each tooth and not doing some twice! Thanks I enjoy all your videos!

As a chef, I can tell you you're absolutely right. Hard steel will hold an edge longer, but is difficult to sharpen once it inevitably gets blunt. That's why I prefer German knives over Japanese ones.

I've been cutting Redwood and Doug Fir for over 40 years and everything you said about chainsaw chains and bars is right on the mark. Thanks Bossman. I'm sure some people learned something.

Wow , no wonder his kids are so knowledgeable.. Boss man explains thing in such a constructive way .. if you can't teach others to do what you you know you will forever be a one man show.

Boss Man, you seemed more comfortable and poised than when interviewed. You had great confidence because you know your stuff. I've sharpened my own chain for years and cut only a few, so I learned a lot (in several areas) that no one else took the time to teach. Great Job.

Heated my house for 30+ years; cut, split and stacked my own wood: ran two 5 cubic inch Pro Mac 850's and a Stihl 360 Pro with Oregon chain. Kept the chain tensioned, sharp with rakes to spec. Ran saws on 92+ octane at 40:1 mix with stabilizer. Filed off "mushrooming" on bar & filed top of grove level. Cut mountains of wood over that time & saws still ran just about like new SO.........I really understand and appreciate another Pro who knows from experience, what he speaks about . Great info vid!

I think you said the Bossman didn't like to be on camera, but he actually does a great job. I don't even have a chainsaw to sharpen but I enjoyed watching this.

I never had a chainsaw and most likely I never will, but I watched all of this as I am fascinated by the knowledge and calmness of this man. Respect.

Very nicely done from a man who lives it every day. You & your lovely family are so respectful of each other. Thank you for the tips.

Kudos Emerald for your persistence in presenting daily episodes of Lumber Capital Log Yard to your viewers. Kudos also to your entire family for being willing participants in this endeavor. Boss man thanks so much for taking them time to show how you manage and maintain your chain saws! Excellent tutorial on the subject. More from you please!!! Thanks for sharing. Blessings to you all!.

As usual, your dad never wastes our time. I have a mill, I run saws, and am a newbie at both. I'm just shy of 70yrs old, and am having a ball now that I'm retired. Thanks for the valuable info.

I know this is an older video. I’ve worked here in Australia with saws for 40 years or more. This is the first tutorial that I have EVER agreed with one hundred percent. Well done guys. You covered pretty well everything that is required to make a saw cut well.

Great video about saw sharpening... all good. Only one thing I would add... Dull blade puts out sawdust, sharp blade puts out long shavings. By continuing to cut when putting out sawdust you're apt to overheat and damage the bar. 👍

Love you husband… father …. and friend. You and your wife are the foundation to this beautiful family. Home business. Rich and rooted in family love and values.. God continue to bless your family and this channel.

Love this clip, it's raining here today so a good day to sharpen a bunch of chains and it's always good to learn how the pro's do things. Personally l only hand file to clean and touch-up the chain a couple of times when out cutting, then swap chains, l never touch the rakers in the field. At home l machine sharpen them in batches and adjust the rakers then. I also keep seperate bars for milling vs cutting, the last thing you want when milling is a loose chain or bent bar. One point that maybe should have been mentioned is never overtighten a hot chain and that its best to take off the tension when your done cutting. A hot chain will tighten as it cools which can cause the chain to stretch and potentially damage the bar and chainsaw. Diamond grinding wheels are great for tungsten chains, but cnb wheels are way better for steel, especially because they don't get anywhere near as hot and leave a better finish. They are more expensive, but they last a really long time.

Dad, you are an excellent teacher, so well phrased and thoughtful in your words, no wonder the ladies come across so well, with your guidance and, really excellent stage presence!!!

What a great video. Its so nice when you come across someone who obviously knows what they are doing and isn't trying to sell you some "overpriced garbage" in the world we live in today. Keep up the good work

I use Stihl but I like the Husqvarna's too. I learn something new every time I watch the Log Yard. Great learning video!

You’re excited?!?! Think how we must feel knowing more Samantha coming our way! Yay! I love, love, love the beginning of this one with the brief vignette of Em and Boss together. From the few brief encounters, I can tell I really like The Boss. My kind of man. I’ve been running chain saws for 50 year, but not near as regularly as Boss. My chainsaw sharpening secret is taking it to the hardware store for sharpening. I do know, though, that no matter how big or good the saw, without a good sharp chain it will wear you out. Just watch for dust rather than chips.

I find it refreshing to hear someone that lives by the saw give a tutorial on sharpening as opposed to someone that is copying the process from another video. I’ve been sharpening my own chains for about 4 decades and for the most part do it the same as you. The only difference is I use muscle memory as opposed to the guide. But that is just my choice (hard to teach an old dog new tricks). I gotta compliment you on your business. 1) Because it’s a unique approach compared to big box stores (and it works) and 2) Because you have one hard working family that are raised right. Keep up the good work!

Thank for taking the time to impart some of your valuable knowledge and wisdom - it is much appreciated! You have an awesome family and you guys run an admirable business! It's always interesting and entertaining to watch Emerald's videos - I learn something from each and every video that I see!

This is the best chain tutorial I've seen. I love chainsaws so it's very seldom that I get to learn something new, but this has been one of those days. Thanks for the info.

Great tutorial, I ought to know because I was a SR Technical Writer for over 45 years, writing tutorials and tech manuals. I teathed on a two-man cross-cut and eventually graduated to using chain saws. One of the best was an old Canadian 187 with an Organ blade and chain. I used it day in and out, always hand-filing it before going into the woods. It never let me down, and it cut lightning fast. I enjoy your channel. It's not often that you see a family working together to make their business successful.

Hey team, that was really interesting and informative. The depth of knowledge is impressive, and I’m pretty sure we didn’t see the bottom of that particular barrel! Very helpful to hear a pro describe what they do and why, and to see what to watch for. Thanks!

Thanks for the video. My dad was a forester and logging engineer, but had moved on from that part of his career long before I was old enough for chainsaws. He taught me a lot about working in the woods but not much about chainsaws besides basics of safety. You've helped to fill in some gaps in my knowledge.

Thank you for all the information on sharpening a chain. I always thought I was was doing it correctly but now I know for sure I will be. Easy instructions to follow and you eplained it perfectly.

Getting the feeling that Dad's going to have his own channel soon!😃

Good on you! Perfect channel for a foreigner for learning the English expressions of the machinery and working process as your English is pretty "clean". Hope your business is doing well! Greetings from Germany, Western Europe

I've seen a few chainsaw sharpening videos, and for me, this one is the best by miles, so thanks. When others start talking about sharpening, too many chainsaw users forget what it was like when they first picked one up, when they were trying to see what bits did what, when they first made their mistakes and so on, and then how they learnt to do things differently to save effort, to cut down on time and become more efficient perhaps, and ultimately how to make a living while reducing wear and tear on their nerves. Great video, and if you want to extend it at any time into the practical use of chainsaws, how many cuts before sharpening, which woods blunt blades fastest, how you can spot when the chain is starting to go dull and so on, I will be a happy guy.

Thanks for the sharpening class Big Daddy (aka Boss Man). While I never ran a lumber yard operation, I did trim and fell trees in a large campus setting at a university in my day as a young stud like you. Hahaha. I do, however agree with your opinion on Husqvarna vs Sthil vs Echo ...Huskys are hands down my fave. Those Swedes know what they are doing...no offense Germany and Japan. I always hand file-dressed my saw bars as my Grand Daddy taught me, so I never changed. Again, you are spot on with the mixed vs same metal chain/bar suggestion. New subscriber here but have back logged many of your vlogs. The work ethic you have instilled in your children is so 'Old School' but so necessary these days. IMHO. PS...I now see where your kiddos (Young Adults) get their piercing eyes. If I didn't live 1500 miles away, I would certainly support your Family business. Cheers All!

your mum and dad would be so proud of you all, such a hard working family. you all, are what families should be about. and you young lady are a natural story teller, tell us some stories of this land you work and maybe some tails of old family history and such. i am ocka, and i live in Australia, the land down under. my grandson and i watch your shows and very much enjoy them. my 8 year old grand son picked to watch your posts. girls please keep your hair tied back safely, i dont know if you have heard the stories of long hair caught in machinery and that person being scalped

Really helped explain the curving in the cuts.. Great job explaining and good pace.. I'm almost 68 and still cutting and splitting our wood ... great exercise and therapeutic.. Thanks!!

I enjoy hearing various regional dialects, and your occasional pronunciation of "acrosst" was neat. I've never heard that one before. Makes sense of course, it's like a contraction of "across it". Also, about the softer/harder chains: one of the reasons a softer steel will get a sharper edge is due to the size of the crystalline structure in the different types of steel. A lot of people don't know this but different steels have different crystalline structures, not only due to alloy content, but also the processes of hardening and tempering steels change the crystal structure. Softer steel has smaller crystals, harder steel has larger crystals (both still microscopically tiny), and a smaller crystal means the edge can go to a finer point, just the same as how smaller pixels in an image mean the image can contain sharper detail. The edge can only get as thin as the crystal size. So it's not just that it's easier to sharpen soft steel, it's actually impossible to get harder steel to be as sharp as you can get softer steel.

Thank you. You confirmed some things I though I knew. You also taught me some things I didnt know. Great teacher.

Troubleshooting videos are always informative, thanks.

great job on explaining and showing everything anybody would ever need to get in and get it done

I have watched and read A LOT about saw sharpening over 35 years this is by far and away the BEST video , BEST Information, I have ever come across for saw sharpening. Great job loved the down to earth delivery conversational tone and lack of youtube sensationalism.

Very much appreciated. I nicked my knee today because chain didn't stop as soon as it should've. I'll be making sure it's good and tight going forward!

this is the best chainsaw tutorial ever...now i get it why my chainsaw is cutting in a curve even when the chain is sharp...... .thanks for sharing your knowledge boss!

I’ve watched a few vids on sharpening chains and have learnt a few different ways but I must say this tutorial is very good in the way you have made it quite simple but also very comprehensive. This video is probably all anyone new to chainsaw chain maintenance actually needs to know 👍.

I'm about to start my journey with chain saw. I've seen the men in my family run one for years but never picked one up myself. Bought myself a "baby" one. My brother sent me your video. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I love hearing from people that clearly are experts with their craft. Wish me luck. Here I go!

I learned so much! Thank you for taking the time out of your day to make this video Boss Man. You should make a video “5 different ways to cut down a tree”, that would be very helpful!

I haven't seen your previous chainsaw videos, but the one comment about using a 20 inch bar to keep it away from your feet was such a valuable piece of wisdom. Cheers from New Zealand for that one.

As a newbie using a new cordless chainsaw, I really appreciate your tips and sharing your wisdom regarding sharpening the chains. Please keep up the great work, and appreciate the work ethic of your daughters. Not seen to often in this day and age.

That was one of the best lessons on chainsaws that I have ever heard , and I am 76 years old and have cut wood for 50 years.

Thank you that was very informative. I have run chain saws for years, but I can always learn to do better at sharpening. Yes, I enjoy watching your kid's work but seeing you jump in it is great as well. I will say you have a great team there. It is amazing to see your whole family involved.

Very well done Bossman! I’ve watched a dozen chain sharpening and bar maintenance videos from reputable fellers and I still learned a couple new things from your tutorial.

I been a cutter in Oregon, coast range for best part of 60yrs and don't recommend nothing to no one. Every cutter I've known got his own way. Unless its a safety issue, then of course I'll voice my feelings. As a woods boss the men humble enough to listen to the experience of another were the ones that made it out of the woods at retirement age. Back in the 70's, myself, and my partner were asked by the Company to go to Hawaii ( big island) and cut a section of eucalyptus, planted by the missionaries and native Hawaiians back in the late 1800's. All were 3 and 4 ft at the butt. The sun would come up out of the ocean in the morning (Hilo side) and living on the landing in a tent trailer we would be in the woods cutting by 3:30, 4:00 am to get our day in by 9:30, 10 o'clock, at which time the winds would blow in gusts off the ocean and have the tops of the trees going around in circles. Soft wood when standing green, heavy as hell, because of water weight and can get hard as nails when seasoned. Saw of the day back then was a McCullough 125 Super Pro with a 36in bar. A 48lb boat anchor by todays standards. I run mostly Husky's now, same as you. But back then to get around the rotating tops pinching our bars we would round file, a chisel bit, skip tooth chain. It left a wicked cutting hook on the chain, and time our cuts with the wind. We had to sharpen more often and clean the long shavings out of the bar/sprocket cover a time or two, but it sure put the wood on the ground. Try it sometime if you never have and get back to me i would appreciate your opinion. From an old logger to a younger man of the woods i enjoyed your presentation.

I've watched a ton of chainsaw sharpening and maintenance videos (I do occasional chainsaw milling when a tree falls on the property), and this was truly next level. I've never even heard anyone mention the bar before let alone go into such useful detail on it. Your 'how to' instruction was really well done and the often-overlooked details on the 'why' behind each step were clear and to the point and very helpful in wrapping one's head around the entire process. Thank you all for taking the time to do it, awesome video!

Normally I don't watch videos of 20 - 25 minutes and I don't have a chainsaw, but you explained it in such a way that I kept looking till the end. Also everyday I'm looking forward to the daily video. Nice job. Greetings from Belgium.

Thanks for the lesson Boss Man. I've been cutting my own firewood and sharpening my own chains for over 25 years, but I never knew you had to take the rakers down. Thank you for the tip!

Awesome video! Most comprehensive explanation on saw sharpening I’ve ever seen. I’ve learned a ton. Bravo 👏🏼

I’m just a casual saw user, just home use so my saw chains last a long time. When they get dull I just replace them with new ones. I have only had to buy two replacement chains in 3 years. Still I appreciate the info.

Right on boss man! I've been working my sister land here on the big island, Hilo side. She has 3 acres, I've worked the first 2 acres put a road in and cleared the first acre for growing huge garden and fruit forest. Cleared the fence line all the way around. We have a tree called Ohia very hard, like oak, heavy too. Your chain saw lesson will come in handy.... or should I said things just clicked in my head.... thank you! Great kids and channel 👏 👍 Aloha Mick

More please! These are the videos to do more of. It's passing on the knowledge from you experienced folks to the home gamer. Thank you!

Though i`ve run chain saws for many decades, and already knew what you had taught in here, BUT, it is a GREAT video regardless! This video will help MANY people out there, who don`t know!!!! Love what you guys are doing. I enjoy ALL of your videos. I want to see this channel grow even larger, and it will, because of the great things you guys are doing. And by the way, you folks are just down the road from me. Long live The Lumber Capital Log Yard!!! Bless all of you, be safe out there.

Excellent video subject and tutorial. Your a natural teacher, looking more and more comfortable, nice job Sir. I'm sure this will help some viewers/operators.

Never too old to learn something. Didn't know about the raker. Thanks for sharing.

This channel is just so wholesome. I wish I could be out and about like you guys. I guess I’m stuck with concrete, glass and exhaust funes for now.

Great video! I'm right in the middle of learning how to sharpen my Stihl chainsaw(18" MS251), it's great to hear an expert talk about it and helps me understand what's going on. The stihl brand chain sharpener I bought takes the rakers down while you're sharpening the tooth of the chain. Love you all, what a great family!

Great video and tips on how to keep your chainsaw cutting properly. One thing to also remember is that files do wear out. So if you sharpen your chain and it still doesn't cut, your file may be the culprit.

Go Samantha!! So excited to view your week in review vids when you release them. Can't wait!!! Kurt

Great tutorial, that was truly depth especially with the bar information. First sharpening video I've seen with the full gambit from bar to tooth tip. Always a pleasure seeing the lovely family you have running the buisness.. Many blessings to you all and good health. Much love from Canada 🍁✌️

Great information and while I have been running saws for decades, I really appreciated your Dad's thinking and advice.

21 min of exactly what i needed too learn..thanks guys!! Cool knives aswell.

I see so many heat treated bars and chains homeowners use. They volunteer to help in emergencies and just make noise. If you are cutting and there is not a big stream of chips coming, you need to check rakers and tooth hook. A sure sign of both problems is making sawdust not chips. If it smells smokey, your blade or bar are not correct.

Thanks dad this has been awesomely educational I go out and cut firewood on a farm every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday I’ll definitely use what you taught us

Great video. I had no idea chains could be made of different steel hardness. Always learning. Keep it up.

Thanks for the sharpening lesson- it is amazing how a new file works so much better

Excellent video, you refreshed what my dad had taught me plus your insight as a professional logger was invaluable Thank you for sharing your expertise

69 yr old in North East Ohio , always willing to learn more . You gave an excellent tutorial & covered all the points Bossman ! ! Your a good father & good teacher & it shows ☺️

Geat video, completely clear, accurate, and completely turbocharged my previously sub-par sharpening ability. Real grateful to both of you. Subscribed. Gratefully.

Thank you so much Dad for sharing your knowledge that many times came to you by having learned it the hard way, there by saving us. Wish you and family much success and prosperity ☺️👍

Great video. May I add that if your files are getting “old” and worn, this will greatly effect your sharpening job. Having new files on hand is a good practice.

Learn something new every day. Never realized a "hotter" sprocket can be purchased. Awesome idea! thanks for sharing all your knowledge. And might I say, awesome job instilling upstanding values and work ethic in the youngsters. They are becoming amazing humans

Probably the best chainsaw sharpening tutorial I've watched, and I've watched a lot, but not always to the end ! You where precise, and to the point with no bs

Great video, I love the tutorials from the Boss Man and looking forward to what Sami and Em come up with on the members video's too.

Thanks I learned a little more I can use. I am also very impressed with your girls being so confident in what they do. Im a little apprehensive about the dangers involved with your business (yust the dad in me) but I can tell they know what they are doing. Well done in your training. I'm a grandpa myself and glad to see he is still involved helping out. What an impressive family.

This is brilliant! This was so easy to do after watching this video. The close up shots showing the teeth and the detail of the filing is great. Thanks for sharing that.

That knife is truly a work of art, I don't blame you for not wanting to damage it. I was surprised by the file guide being used as you showed some time back when you talked about saws as per a tailgate talk at the cutting block you were in, I've watched friends use really gimmicky tools to overcome their lack of chain sharpening knowledge and they still end up with a mess and bring their saw to a saw shop to get it sharpened ( neither myself nor them are sawyers to put it bluntly ! ) but myself over the years I have stuck with the round file only method and have learned what the outcome should look like and that is a major part of it right there, knowing the goal of what the final result should be. I keep meaning to buy a raker depth gauge though but again have done it by eye and experience of what happens when one gets too aggressive in taking them down too far on an under powered saw ( smaller fine flat file for that job ) . Without a doubt the vice is my friend though, far easier to do a proper job vs the saw moving around while trying to sharpen on the ground or tailgate.

People outside the timber/logging industry have no idea how adamant/opinionated guys are when it comes to their prefered brand of chainsaws (Husqvarna vs Stihl), porting, bar size, and other various custom mods. It seems like in the Northeast we prefer Husqi's, and out West and in the PNW, they prefer Stihl. Keep up the good work. -Andy

Dude, this is very informative. Great job. I can't wait to try and get the right file and do this. Hate buying new chains all the time.

I watched a lot of videos about how to sharpen the saw chain. This one was the best. The reason this video was the best is because you explain the differences in the hardness of the chains in the files in a way that help me understand that I’ve been doing a lot of things wrong and I thank you for that.

The boss is so articulate in a very much a pleasure to watch. Glad to see him on every now, and then always enjoy his videos.

Brilliant tutorial you really get the information across . You are easy to understand and have a great tone to your voice making for a very relaxing lesson that made perfect sense.

I just recently found your channel and I love it. I use to cut trees for a lumber company and I know what you go through. Stay safe 💯👍👍

That was so refreshing to here someone say nearly everything that I do! I didn’t know if I was sharpening my chains properly or not, I use the same size bar and chain as you do but on a stihl 460 magnum that I have hand sharpened from day one and I always questioned myself whether I should use one of those grinding sharpeners or not but you have made me feel like I’m not a complete fool and have self taught myself the right way to do something! I still need a bit of assurance on how far to file my rakers, I find sometimes I get a better results if I just leave them alone. Thankyou!👍

🤤 a woman that knows as much or more about cutting and milling trees . That's my kinda of family. Where have you guys been my whole life

Warning long comment: Wow seriously Wow. Fully understandable how the Ladies come across being so photogenic. Dad aka Bossman take a bow my friend for several things. You Sir are photogenic. With an charming online presence. Thank you for ideas of next month's ideas for yard gifts. I thank you again Miss Emerald for a very very good and professional video. Exquisitely filmed edited and produced. I thank you Sir for the lesson on chain saw chain and bar maintance. Please both of you take a bow. Bossman a star is born. You seriously need to get past your reluctantly of being on camera for you Sir are a natural. As are all Three of your girls and Mrs.Bossman. I await the week play video it should be interesting. You got this Samantha. Of this I've no doubt. Heck if you have trouble call your cousins Buck n Bo.

Thank you so much for making this video. I've been using chainsaws for decades now and yet, I just learned an awful lot by watching your tips. I'll be sure to put your advice to good use. 👍

Its brilliant that your whole family is involved in the business. The ladies are beautiful and brilliant! You and mom are doing a great job parenting! Blessings!

I have been cutting firewood for years. I have watched and read a dozen dozen (that is not a typo) tutorials on sharpening loops and bar care. This is the first time I have been told about the difference of metal in the cutters, and the importance of matching the file to the brand of loops I use. THANK YOU!!!

Really appreciate your time and advice! Hope Samantha has great success. Good idea Emerald!