Stop wasting time trying to file ruined chains

[jamtangi01]

I spent way too much time this past weekend trying to save a chainsaw chain that was completely beyond repair. I hit some hidden dirt and rocks while bucking a downed oak tree and it rounded off the cutting teeth so badly that the saw was just creating fine dust and burning the wood. I tried hand filing it multiple times but the metal was just too far gone and the saw kept binding up in the cut. I finally just gave up and ordered a replacement chain from https://udcparts.com/ instead of fighting it any longer. I threw the new chain on the bar this morning and it immediately started throwing massive wood chips again and cutting perfectly straight. If your chain is severely damaged, don't waste hours trying to file it back to life, just spend the few bucks on a fresh replacement because the time and effort you save is absolutely worth it.

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

It is entirely possible to hand file a damaged chain back to useable again- or you can take it to a shop to be sharpened on a grinder.
You will loose a lot of material from each cutter- until the damaged area is removed- and it is likely the depth gauges will need adjusting, but if the top plate of the cutter is not broken off completely- the chain can always be "saved" and turned into something that will cut wood again.

Is your time and effort worth the saving compared to a cheap online replacement? That is up to the individual to decide.
Easier is to avoid ground strikes in the first instance- some kind of lever/canthook to roll logs is a handy tool.