Chainsaw blades, well chains

[Simpo Two]

Last year I was delighted with my purchase of a ProPlus (ie B&Q own-brand) electric chainsaw for about £45. I've done a fair bit of work with it and the blade is now so blunt it might as well be a bicycle chain. However, my fond hope that I could simply find a new chain in the Screwfix catalogue etc proved overly fond. The model is PWR1800CSD, and via Google it seems that other people are having the same problem as me. Where can I find a new chain/blade thingy?

[Neil_Sc]

Obvious answer first, have you been to B&Q?

[Simpo Two]

Neil_Sc said:

Obvious answer first, have you been to B&Q?

It is indeed an obvious answer. However the saw was the last one they had at the time (end of line etc), and they didn't have a replacement blade for my own-brand circular saw, and they didn't sell chain oil either, so I confess I didn't think the chances of them having a new chain would be very high. They seem to want to shift boxes but not worry about the backup.

[Nick_F]

Sharpen it? 10 minutes with a round file of the right diameter, plus another 2 with a flat file to get shot of any burrs.

Take chain to agricultural/garden machinery supplier to establish correct file size.

[Neil_Sc]

I purchased a chain saw recently from Machine Mart and a quick look at the website suggests a replacement chain for the boggo standard model they stock is £18, so I guess buying a new unit at £40 is not too much of a hit if that is what you end up having to do.

Incidentally I bought the Bosch unit which has been great.

[finefettlefilly]

Acquire a new chain from an agricultural or horticultural shop. The cost of them sharpening it is nearly as much as a new chain and once been blunted don't really stay sharp for very long. you can get any size chain either pre made or they make them to fit your blade length.

[Simpo Two]

finefettlefilly said:

Acquire a new chain from an agricultural or horticultural shop. The cost of them sharpening it is nearly as much as a new chain and once been blunted don't really stay sharp for very long. you can get any size chain either pre made or they make them to fit your blade length.

In the end I took a trip to a professinal place that sells ride-on mowers and other 'large' stuff. Chap was extremely helpful, and as soon as he saw my plight, took a special file from the display and showed me how to sharpen the teeth. He could also sell me a brand new chain, made up from a length and with twice as many teeth as the old one, but in the end I chose the file and sharpened it up at home in 5 mins In fact he was so helpful I'm going to N&P: www.mowerandsaw.co.uk

[Wacky Racer]

I never find it economical in time messing about sharpening blades, when you can usually buy a new one for around £15/20....I normally replace them twice a season..

BUT it is important to keep the oil supply topped up, after every five/ten minutes use it is suprising how much the level can go down, also keep the chain/blade at the right tension, checking every time you use it, too slack can be very dangerous, too tight will wear the blade out quickly....