Homelite HOMCS10VNM User Manual - Page 19

MAINTENANCE  If cutter teeth have hit hard objects such as nails and stones, or have been abraded by mud or sand on the wood, have service dealer sharpen chain. NOTE: Inspect the drive sprocket for wear or damage when replacing the chain. If signs of wear or damage are present in the areas indicated, have the drive sprocket replaced by a Homelite service dealer. BAR AND CHAIN LUBRICATION  Using a quality bar oil, oil the bar and chain manually, as needed. HOW TO SHARPEN THE CUTTERS See Figures 23 - 24. Be careful to file all cutters to the specified angles and to the same length, as fast cutting can be obtained only when all cutters are uniform. WARNING: The saw chain is very sharp, always wear protective gloves when performing maintenance to the chain to prevent serious personal injury.  Properly tension the chain prior to sharpening. Refer to Adjusting the Chain Tension earlier in this manual. Do all of your filing at the mid-point of the bar.  Use a 5/32 in. diameter round file and holder.  Keep the file level with the top plate of the tooth. Do not let the file dip or rock.  Using light but firm pressure, stroke towards the front corner of the tooth.  Lift file away from the steel on each return stroke.  Put a few firm strokes on every tooth. File all left hand cutters in one direction. Then move to the other side and file the right hand cutters in the opposite direction. Occasionally remove filings from the file with a wire brush. WARNING: Improper chain sharpening increases the potential of kickback, which can result in serious personal injury. WARNING: Failure to replace or repair damaged chain can cause serious injury. NOTICE: A dull or improperly sharpened chain can cause excessive engine speed during cutting, which may result in severe engine damage. TOP PLATE FILING ANGLE See Figure 25.  CORRECT 30° - File holders are marked with guide marks to align file properly to produce correct top plate angle.  LESS THAN 30° - For Cross Cutting.  MORE THAN 30° - Feathered Edge Dulls Quickly. SIDE PLATE ANGLE See Figure 26.  CORRECT - 80° Produced automatically if correct diam- eter file is used in file holder.  HOOK - "Grabs" and dulls quickly. Increases potential of KICKBACK. Results from using a file with diameter too small, or file held too low.  BACKWARD SLOPE - Needs too much feed pressure, causes excessive wear to bar and chain. Results from using a file with diameter too large, or file held too high. DEPTH GAUGE CLEARANCE See Figure 27 - 28.  The depth gauge should be maintained at a clearance of .025 in. Use a depth gauge tool for checking the depth gauge clearances.  Every time the chain is filed, check the depth gauge clearance. Use a flat file and a depth gauge jointer to lower all gauges uniformly. Depth gauge jointers are available in .020 in. to .035 in. Use a .025 in. depth gauge jointer. After lowering each depth gauge, restore original shape by rounding the front. Be careful not to damage adjoining drive links with the edge of the file. Depth gauges must be adjusted with the flat file in the same direction the adjoining cutter was filed with the round file. Use care not to contact cutter face with flat file when adjusting depth gauges. MAINTAINING THE GUIDE BAR See Figure 29. CAUTION: Make sure the switch trigger is locked out in the off position and the chain has stopped before you do any work on the saw to avoid accidental starting or contact with the moving chain that may result in injury. Proper maintenance will maximize the useful life of the guide bar. Page 15 - English