pole chain saw sharpening

Herkdriver

New User
I have a Craftsman gas powered "pruner", a chain pole saw that I believe is built by Poulan. It has an 8" bar. I want to sharpen the chain, but the owner"s manual just says that it needs to be done by a pro. I cannot find anywhere what size file to use for this saw. My 18" Homelite chainsaw requires a 3/16 file, but it"s too large for this. Does anybody have any knowledge about this?
 
5/32 is standard size file for 3/8ths inch extended pitch chain, found on 99% of small saws nowadays.
 
The bar will often have info on it related to chain size. The chain will also have info on the drive link, at least the better chain does. If you can find the part number for the saw you should be able to cross reference to the chain size.
 
All of the Poulan pole saws I have seen use 90SG chain which is 3/8" low profile and .043 gauge narrow kerf. Prim and proper fle is 4.5MM. 5/32 will do. Owners manuals go to the extreme with cautions and protecting the Mfgs from liability thus go buy a new chain or take back to shop for sharpening. If you know how to sharpen a chain have at it. It is no different.
Oregon sharpening specs
 
While I like doing everything myself,
I gotta say, ask around.
My local small engine shop will sharpen a chain for 6 bucks.
I can't buy a file for that much and I for sure can't match his skill....
 
Oregon makes replacement chains for most saws. Their website used to list chain info and the proper resharpening tools.
 
Do you need a stepladder to get up there and sharpen it? I always thought that was how it was done with a pole saw.
Zach
 

I use a $1 5/32 file on mine and it takes all of 5 minutes.
Then I am back to trimming with it.
 
(quoted from post at 09:04:24 07/16/14) While I like doing everything myself,
I gotta say, ask around.
My local small engine shop will sharpen a chain for 6 bucks.
I can't buy a file for that much and I for sure can't match his skill....

I've got an Echo Pole Pruner with 12" chain and it costs me $7 to get chains sharpened at the local shop which I do at the end of the season. Turns out a NEW replacement chain for the Pole Prune is $6.35. Cheaper to buy a new one than get one sharpened so I just ordered 2.
 
If you have a Dremel tool, there is a chain saw sharpening kit that works very well. Uses long cylindrical stones. Fast and can get the teeth razor sharp. Stones come in all the popular sizes.
 

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