How to Sharpen the Blades on a Chainsaw

!9#: How to Sharpen the Blades on a Chainsaw

You may think that once you have bought your chainsaw, the real work is about to begin. That may be true but it's not only in the garden or your lawn that you will need to think about the tough work. Chainsaws often need maintenance and while you may not be familiar with this work, it's important that you become comfortable with it. Sharpening the blades of the chainsaw is important because it will not only save you time and effort when going to do the big jobs, but it can also keep you safe from injury too.

The first thing you will need to know when sharpening the blades of your chainsaw is the size of your saw's chain. This is because you will need to buy a rotary grindstone or a chainsaw file to sharpen your blade and these are sold in different sizes, corresponding to the different sizes of chainsaw blades.

The chain then needs to be cleaned thoroughly. There are many cleaners that can be purchased for this purpose but if you find them too costly, a simple mineral water will also do the job well. It's important that when you're cleaning your chain that you do not saturate any part of the chainsaw. This is because it can get into the plastic housing of the unit or the motor, and can cause a lot of damage to these parts. As you're cleaning your chain, look for parts that are broken or damaged. These parts can't be repaired but having them fly off while the chainsaw is in use is extremely dangerous. Any broken pieces of the chain should be immediately taken off and replaced with new bits.

Sharpening the blades of a chainsaw means that the chainsaw needs to be stable and supported. Laying the chainsaw on a flat surface may be all that the chainsaw needs to get this done by clamping it in a vice so that the blade remains perfectly still is the best option. Next, you need to find the leading cutter, which is the shortest cutter on the blade. Some chainsaws don't have a leading cutter, leaving all the cutters the same length. If this is the case, the filing can begin anywhere however it will make it easier if you can lightly mark the first cutter that you filed so that you don't re-file it.

The file can then be placed into the space on the front of the cutter. This is the first tooth that lays flat against the chain and the file should be just about even with the tooth once it's placed inside the empty notch beside the tooth. Then, holding the file at the same angle as the tooth, gently slide the file in a twisting motion. This will ensure that anything you are filing off will not fall to the inside of the blade. You can then do this with every tooth on that side of the blade. After one side is finished, the chainsaw can be turned around so that the unfiled teeth on the other side can also be filed. These teeth will be angled differently than the teeth on the other side so be sure to adjust your blade file as well.

How to Sharpen the Blades on a Chainsaw

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Six Steps to Thoughtful Wooden Handcrafted Gifts That Are Fun to Make and a Joy to Give

!9#: Six Steps to Thoughtful Wooden Handcrafted Gifts That Are Fun to Make and a Joy to Give

There is a no better time than during these strained economic times to consider handcrafting wooden games, toys or furniture for your family or as gifts. Recall a simpler time when we were young and created our own amusements by using our imaginations and hands to transform simple objects into playful implements or games. Gosh, I still have and use some of the things we made with our Dad in his basement workshop or garage back in Cape Breton - a periscope, wooden toolbox, marble board game. At 15 years I built that water wheel and the well replica for our garden. Mom and Dad loved it.

Consider the pleasure and sense of pride you will have when you create a gift from your own hands. And think of the pleasure you will bring to someone special. Someone for whom you took the time to craft a special wooden piece.

With a few simple hand tools and maybe a basic power tool, you can transform those ideas in your head to some very unique woodworking projects. With a little planing you could build these wooden creations right in your apartment, at your kitchen table or in your garage or basement. Covering your work area with some plastic drop-sheets or a tarpaulin and having a vacuum for cleanup opens up the possibilities of using your kitchen or dining room table for small woodworking projects.

Planning and measuring:

- On a piece of paper design your project (rough picture) and then measure it out on a rough piece of wood so you can get some kind of visual of how it will look

or

- buy a template plan that simply has you tape together the pieces of paper, lay it out on the board and simply mark then cut or drill as indicated. This is a simple way to ensure project accuracy and repeatability when you are making more than one of the same project.

Cutting the wood:

- Cut with handsaw, circular saw, table saw or miter saw

or

- Have them cut it to size at your building supply store. For a few extra dollars I have Home Depot cut my plywood to project size. Now I don't have to get out the table saw and deal with the sawdust clean-up that results.

Rounding corners and edges:

- Use a jigsaw and router

or

- With a straightedge or paper template, mark and trim the four corners with a handsaw or hand jigsaw and then, with a block and pieces of sand paper (coarse grit), round and shape the corners and edges

Drilling Holes:

- use a drill and wood bits (a drill is likely the first hand power tool you will buy)
No real alternative for a good drill and bits

Fastening the pieces together:

- No Nails Glue (This stuff seems to hold anything to anything!) - may require some clamps or weights to keep your project together during the 24 hour drying period

- Screws with wood glue (using the drill to pre-drill holes to avoid wood splitting and the screw bits to easily sink the screws)

- A small square will help ensure your corners remain square during assembly

Finishing the surface:

- poly fill or wood fill or wooden plugs will be need to cover the countersunk screws

- You will need coarse to fine sandpaper. Coarse sandpaper to deal with smoothing the edges and finer sandpaper to finish the surfaces in preparation for a wood finish to be applied.

- Go with natural wood finishes like polyurethane, lacquers and wood oils. Let the natural wood grains display all their splendor.

- Stain and paint first. Then finish with a polyurethane to make the surface more durable

You can be a talented woodworking carpenter with a few simple tools:

- measuring tape and pencil

- straightedge and/or square

- handsaw

- hand jigsaw

- power drill, drill bits and screw bits (this is the first power tool you should own) OR a versatile Dremel, which has a wide variety of attachments

- sand paper block (a piece of 2x2 or 2x3 wood) and sandpaper

- good quality paint brushes (clean and spin dry after each use and they will last for years)

Now, more than ever, is the time to unleash your woodworking talent and handcraft wooden treasures like toys, games and furniture. In the land of wooden handcrafts the recipients smile is the true gift of receiving.

Six Steps to Thoughtful Wooden Handcrafted Gifts That Are Fun to Make and a Joy to Give

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Makita LXFD01CW Compact Cordless Drill

!9#: Makita LXFD01CW Compact Cordless Drill

The Makita LXFD01CW Cordless Drill is an 18 volt compact lithium ion drill that has a built in 4 pole motor that delivers 480 in lbs of torque. It's also got a varied 2 speed metal transmissions for a wide variety of projects. This cordless drill comes with an ergonomic design with a non-slip grip to reduce slippage. There is even a built in LED light to light up the work area in tight spaces. The Makita LXFD 01CW Cordless Drill weighs only 3.3 pounds to reduce hand fatigue.

This Makita Cordless Drill has a lithium-ion battery that is EnergyStar rated that offers a 15 minute rapid recharge. The rapid recharger produces 430% total lifetime work with 2.5 times more cycles than regular NiCAD batteries. It comes with two lithium-ion batteries, a 15 minute rapid recharger, a hard shell tool case and even a tool belt clip so you can carry it with you and have hands free. This Makita LXFD01CW Drill has a 3 year warranty on the drill and a 1 year warranty on the battery and charger.

Makita LXFD01CW Cordless Drill Features and Specifications:

* Makita LXFD01CW Cordless Drill includes 18V compact lithium-ion batteries
* 15 minute rapid recharger
* Hard shell tool case
* Tool belt clip
* LED light built in to light up the work area

The Makita LXFD01CW Drill didn't stack up to the test as well as the Dewalt drills did. Overall it got a 3.5 out of 5 stars and a few user complaints. One guy commented that the batteries for all of the Makita drills are not interchangeable. You have to have the special 18V battery for this specific Makita LXFD01CW Drill. Yet he said the performance of the drill was outstanding. Another guy commented on the longevity of the drill, he's had it for a long time and it's been very durable. He liked that it was small and lightweight yet powerful enough to handle any task.

Some other people commented on the power of the drill but one guy said that the bits were spinning with a slight wobble. He thought the chuck head had something wrong with it, but then he saw other reviews complaining about the same wobbling. Another user had the older version of the Makita drill and upgraded to the Makita LXFD01CW Drill. He said that there has been many improvements to this new drill from the old one.

Makita LXFD01CW Compact Cordless Drill

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