Cabinets
Drilling clean 35mm hinge cups
Concealed hinges only close flush when every cup sits at the same distance from the door edge. A jig turns that distance into a fixed stop.
How to sharpen a chainsaw chain
A dull chain makes dust instead of chips and pulls the saw sideways. This routine keeps every cutter at the same angle without taking the chain off the bar.
By The Tenvik team2 min read
1. Know when the chain is dull
Watch what comes out of the cut. Thick, square chips mean the cutters are sharp. Fine sawdust, smoke, or a saw that drifts to one side means it is time to sharpen.
- You have to push the saw into the wood instead of letting it pull itself in.
- The cut wanders even though you are holding the bar straight.
- Cutter tips look rounded or shiny when you look straight down on them.
2. Set up on the bar
Stop the engine, engage the chain brake and let the bar cool. Clamp the sharpener so its guide sits flat against the chain.
Mark your starting tooth. Use a paint pen or a strip of tape so you know exactly when you have gone all the way around.
3. Sharpen tooth by tooth
Give every cutter the same number of strokes. Do all the cutters facing one way, then flip the tool and do the other side. Consistent strokes keep the cutters the same length.
Consistency beats force. A few light strokes on every tooth cut better than hard strokes on some.
4. Check the depth gauges
Every few sharpenings, the small depth gauges in front of each cutter need a light file. If they sit too high, the chain skates over the wood even when the cutters are sharp.
| Chain pitch | Round file |
|---|---|
| 1/4" | 5/32" |
| 3/8" low profile | 5/32" |
| .325" | 3/16" |
| 3/8" | 7/32" |
Your chain pitch is stamped on the drive links or printed on the chain box. Confirm the file size against the chart for your chain before you start.