This is something I have to learn - as in, I've never even tried to sharpen a chain yet. A kind member here on AS showed me the basics a while back but haven't put those basics to use yet. The old adage "Use it or lose it" definitely applies to me.
We attended an auction around Labor Day and I bought a box of chainsaw 'stuff' - some chain oil, about 5 chains that I don't need (Oregon 91VG056G if anyone is interested) and a tool called File-n-joint which (at the time) I had never heard of but thought "Hey, that looks interesting." I guess I am still deciding whether to use the FNJ or freehand.
I haven't used my Dolmar all that much but now have a pile of free oak (!) sitting on my driveway that needs some shortening up so I get to play with my saw.
I've run about 3 - 4 tanks of gas through the saw so far so going by what others are saying here (touching up the chain every tank) my chain is due for a sharpening even though it is still throwing good sized chips. I took my saw into a Dolmar dealer and had them i.d. what kind of chain was on it and bought a new chain for a couple of reasons: 1. I didn't have a spare, 2.) I plan on using the new chain to guide me when I try to sharpen my existing chain.
Shari