I have gotten into the habit of sharpening the chain on the chainsaw every time I fill it up with petrol. However, on the last couple of occasions, the chain hasn’t stayed sharp for very long. You can tell from the sawdust that it produces – it more resembles dust rather than the long wood chips that are normally produced with a sharp chainsaw. On the basis that it wasn’t holding it’s sharpness, I have bought a new chain. I can fit it myself and a new one only cost £10 on eBay.
The last chain was installed back in November, so has lasted just over three months. But it has had a lot of use (and not all on trees!).
Wow, just used it for the first time with the new chain. What a difference! I guess the chain dulls over time and you don’t notice how much worse the cutting power is as it happens slowly over a period of time. I shouldn’t have persevered so long before changing it – much quicker and much safer to use.