English
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.
Clean the chain.
N
Check the chain for cracks in the
N
links and damaged rivets.
Replace any damaged or worn
N
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.
WARNING
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.
36
Chain pitch
The chain pitch (a) is marked on the
depth gauge end of each cutter.
Mark (a)
Chain pitch
inch
7
1/4 P
1 or 1/4
1/4
6, P or PM
3/8 P
2 or 325
0.325
3 or 3/8
3/8
4 or 404
0.404
Select file diameter according to chain
pitch – see table "Sharpening Tools".
You must observe certain angles when
resharpening the chain cutter.
Filing and side plate angles
A
B
A
Filing angle
STIHL saw chains are sharpened to a
filing angle of 30°. Exceptions are
ripping chains with a filing angle of 10°.
Ripping chains have an X in their
designations.
B
Side plate angle
a
The correct side plate angle is obtained
automatically if you use the prescribed
file holder and file diameter.
Cutter shapes
Micro = semi chisel cutter,
e.g. 63 PM3, 26 RM3,
36 RM
mm
Super = chisel cutter, e.g.
6.35
63 PS3, 26 RS, 36 RS3
6.35
Ripping chain, e.g.
63 PMX, 36 RMX
9.32
8.25
The angles must be the same on all
cutters. If the angles are uneven: Chain
9.32
will run roughly, not in a straight line,
10.26
wear quickly and finally break.
File holder
Use a file holder
N
A file holder must be used for manual
resharpening (see table "Sharpening
Tools"). The correct filing angles are
marked on the file holder.
Angle (°)
A
B
30
75
30
60
10
75
MSE 250 C