I finally got a working saw - a Makita DCS34. The previous owner showed me how to get it started and gave me a few other tips.
It runs like a dream. It starts on the 2nd pull, idles forever and is deathly quiet (until you rev it up).
I trimmed a tree with it and on the last cut it seemed to take forever to get through it and it was blowing sawdust the consistency of flour, which I understand is a sign that it's time to sharpen.
I had a look at the chain and it's got a few bent blades which look straightenable. I checked at Canadian tire and they stock a replacement chain.
So when do you break down and buy a new chain?
What's the best technique for sharpening an existing chain? I've got a flat file and a 3mm circular file, but I understand this might not be adequate.
It runs like a dream. It starts on the 2nd pull, idles forever and is deathly quiet (until you rev it up).
I trimmed a tree with it and on the last cut it seemed to take forever to get through it and it was blowing sawdust the consistency of flour, which I understand is a sign that it's time to sharpen.
I had a look at the chain and it's got a few bent blades which look straightenable. I checked at Canadian tire and they stock a replacement chain.
So when do you break down and buy a new chain?
What's the best technique for sharpening an existing chain? I've got a flat file and a 3mm circular file, but I understand this might not be adequate.