Chainsaw rakers project out from the bottom of the saw’s guide bar and help keep the chain on track. Over time, though, they can become damaged or worn down, which can cause the chain to come off the bar. When this happens, you’ll need to file the rakers back into shape.
Doing so is a relatively simple process that just requires a few tools and some patience.

Do I Need to File Rakers on a Chainsaw?
It’s a common question among chainsaw users – do I need to file my saw’s teeth, or rakers? The answer is yes and no. Filing your saw’s teeth, or rakers, helps keep the chain sharp and can prolong its life.
However, it’s not necessary to file them every time you use your saw. If you notice your saw isn’t cutting as well as it used to, then it’s probably time to give the rakers a good filing.
How High Should a Raker Be on a Chainsaw Chain?
Chainsaw rakers should be set at 3/16″ high. This is the optimal setting for most cutting applications. If you are doing a lot of heavy work, such as cutting through thick branches or logs, you may want to set the rakers slightly higher, at 1/4″.
What are the rakers on a chainsaw chain?
You see, the rakers are the small bumps on the chain that sit in front of each cutting tooth. They’re responsible for controlling the depth of the cut and determining how much wood gets removed with each pass. Without them, your chainsaw would be completely useless.
It’s easy to overlook the importance of the rakers, but believe me, you do so at your own peril. If you don’t take the time to properly set them, you’ll end up with a saw that bogs down and struggles to cut through even the softest of woods. And that’s just plain frustrating.
So if you’re serious about using a chainsaw, you’d better get familiar with those rakers. Learn how to adjust them, and make sure you’re keeping them at the right height. Your chainsaw will thank you for it, and so will your sanity. Trust me, I speak from experience!
What Do Rakers Do?

A rake is a tool with teeth or tines, used for gathering loose material such as leaves, grass, or hay. It is usually an agricultural or gardening implement, but can also be used in snow removal and other tasks. There are many types of rakes, each designed for a specific purpose.
The most common type is the garden rake, which is used to collect leaves, grass clippings, and other debris from lawns. Garden rakes typically have between 10 and 20 tines made of metal or plastic. Other types of rakes include leaf rakes (for collecting leaves), thatching rakes (for removing dead grass from lawns), and snow rakes (for removing snow from roofs).
Rakes can also be classified by their construction: some have solid heads while others have hollow heads with removable teeth or tines.
What is the Best Angle to File a Chainsaw?
If you’re looking to file your chainsaw, you’ll want to know what the best angle is. After all, filing your chainsaw is an important part of keeping it sharp and in good condition. So, what is the best angle to file a chainsaw?
The answer may surprise you, but there’s actually no single “best” angle to file a chainsaw. Instead, the best thing to do is experiment with different angles until you find one that feels comfortable for you and produces the results you’re looking for. Of course, there are some general guidelines you can follow when filing your chainsaw.
For example, most people recommend filing at a 10-degree angle. But again, it’s ultimately up to you to experiment and find what works best for you. One final tip: be sure to use a good quality Chainsaw File when filing your saw.
A cheap file will make the job harder and could damage your saw. A good quality file will make the job easier and help keep your saw in great condition.
Filing Rakers Without Gauge

A raker is a tool used in woodworking to create smooth, even surfaces on wood. Rakers come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but they all have one thing in common: a handle that is attached to a blade. The blade is what does the work of shaving off small pieces of wood to create a smooth surface.
There are two ways to use a raker: with or without a gauge. When using a raker without a gauge, the blade is held at a set angle against the wood. This method is best for creating large, flat surfaces.
To use a raker with a gauge, the blade is attached to the gauge and then slid along the surface of the wood. This method is best for creating smaller, more detailed surfaces. No matter which method you choose, filing rakers without gauges can be tricky.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
1) Choose the right size and shape of raker for your project. There are many types of rakers available, so make sure you select one that will work well for the piece of wood you’re working on. If you’re not sure, ask someone at your local hardware store for guidance.
2) Always hold the raker at a consistent angle while filing. This will ensure that you create an even surface on your piece of wood.
If your hand slips or you change angles mid-stroke, it’s likely that you’ll end up with an uneven surface.
3) Use gentle strokes when filing with your raker. Don’t press too hard – let the blade do the work for you! Pushing too hard can damage both your Blade and also potentially gouge or chip the Wood Surface.
4) After each stroke, lift the Blade of The Raker to check Your Progress. Doing this regularly will help you avoid over-filing any particular area and ruining Your project.
5) Take breaks as needed!
How to File Rakers on Stihl Chainsaw?
If you’re a homeowner with a Stihl chainsaw, chances are you’ll need to file the rakers at some point. Rakers are the small teeth on the side of the chain that help keep it sharp. over time, they can become dull and need to be replaced.
Filing rakers is a fairly easy process, but there are a few things you need to know before you get started. First, make sure you have the right tools. You’ll need a flat file and a round file, as well as a depth gauge.
It’s also important to wear gloves to protect your hands from the sharp edges of the chain. Next, identify which way the teeth are facing on the raker. The teeth should be pointing towards the back of the saw (away from you).
If they’re not, use the flat file to carefully filing them down until they’re pointing in the right direction. Once all of the teeth are pointing in the right direction, it’s time to start filing them down. Use the round file to gently remove any burrs or rough edges from each tooth.
Be careful not to take off too much material – you just want to smooth out any imperfections.
Finally, use the depth gauge to check each tooth and make sure it’s filed down evenly. Once all of your rakers are filed correctly, your chainsaw will be ready for action!
Chainsaw Rakers Too Low
If your chainsaw rakers are too low, it can cause the chain to ride up on the bar, which can lead to serious injury. The rakers should be set at least 3/16 of an inch above the bottom of the bar.
If you’re not sure how to adjust your rakers, consult your saw’s owner’s manual or take it to a qualified technician.
Raker File Guide

A raker file guide is an essential tool for anyone who wants to keep their saw blade in top condition. The guide helps youfile the teeth of your saw blade so that they are all the same length. This ensures that your saw cuts through wood evenly and smoothly, without any hang-ups or jagged edges.
If you’re not familiar with using a raker file guide, don’t worry – it’s actually quite simple. Just follow these easy steps and you’ll have your saw blade filed in no time:
1) First, attach the file guide to your workbench or table. Make sure that the guide is positioned so that the filing surface is level with the table surface.
2) Next, take your raker file and insert it into one of the slots on the guide. It doesn’t matter which slot you use, as long as the file is inserted securely.
3) Now simply start moving the file back and forth across the face of the saw blade. Be sure to apply even pressure throughout each stroke – you don’t want to damage your blade by filing too aggressively!
4) Once you’ve gone over the entire surface of the blade, remove the file and inspect your work.
If there are any teeth that still need more attention, simply re-insert the file into another slot on the guide and continue filing until all of the teeth are uniform. Filing your saw blade regularly will help keep it performing at its best – so be sure to use a raker file guide every time you sharpen your blade!
CHAIN SAW SHARPENING TIPS, FILING RAKERS
Chainsaw Raker Gauge
Rakers are the small teeth located at the base of the cutter on a chainsaw chain. The purpose of these teeth is to keep the chain from binding in the cut by breaking up chips and debris. Over time, however, they can become worn down or damaged, which can cause problems with your saw.
That’s where a chainsaw raker gauge comes in handy. A chainsaw raker gauge is a simple tool that allows you to check the depth of your rakers and make sure they’re still within specifications. Most gauges have two parts: a measuring device (usually in inches or millimeters) and an indicator that lets you know when the tooth is too deep or shallow.
To use one, simply insert it into the space between two cutters on your chain and check the reading against the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you find that your rakers are too deep, you’ll need to file them down using a round file until they’re back within specification.
On the other hand, if they’re too shallow, you’ll need to add material back onto them using a flat file until they match up with the rest of the teeth on your chain.
It’s important to make sure all of your teeth are uniform in order to avoid kickback and ensure accurate cuts. Once you’ve checked and adjusted all of your teeth with a chainsaw raker gauge, it’s also important to keep an eye on their sharpness levels.
Over time, even properly-gauged teeth will become dull and will need to be replaced or sharpened before they cause problems with your saw performance.
If you notice any nicks or damage on the cutting surfaces of your blades, it’s time for some maintenance!
How Often Should You File the Rakers on a Chainsaw?

If you’re a chainsaw user, then you know that filing the teeth on the saw is an important part of maintaining it. But how often should you file the rakers? And what exactly are rakers?
Rakers are the teeth on the chain that do the cutting. They’re also known as cutters or chain teeth. And they need to be sharpened regularly – usually every time you use the saw.
Filing the rakers is a pretty simple process. You’ll need a file and a guide. The guide helps ensure that you file each tooth at the correct angle.
You can buy a guide, or you can make your own out of cardboard or something similar. Once you have your guide, simply hold it against the side of the cutter tooth and file away until the tooth is nice and sharp again. Remember to go slowly and be careful not to over file – otherwise you could damage the tooth.
After filed once all around, turn your guide over and repeat on other side of cutter until both sides are complete! Regularly filing your chainsaw’s rakers will help keep it in good condition and improve its performance. So don’t forget to do it every time you use your saw!
Stihl Raker File Guide

If you’re looking for an easy way to keep your saw’s chain in top condition, a Stihl raker file guide is the way to go. This simple tool ensures that your filing is accurate and consistent, so you can get the most out of your saw. Here’s what you need to know about using a Stihl raker file guide.
The first thing to do is select the correct file for your saw. There are different sizes and shapes available, so make sure you get the right one. Once you have the file, simply attach it to the guide and position it over the tooth that needs filing.
Apply pressure evenly as you move the file back and forth until the tooth is sharpened. It’s important to not over-file the teeth, as this can damage them. If you’re not sure how much pressure to apply, start with light pressure and increase it if needed.
It’s also a good idea to use a depth gauge to ensure that you’re filed all of the teeth evenly. With just a little bit of practice, using a Stihl raker file guide is easy and will help keep your saw running like new.
Chainsaw Raker Grinder
A chainsaw raker grinder is a tool that is used to sharpen the teeth of a chainsaw. It is a handheld tool that has a rotating wheel with abrasive material on it. The operator holds the chainsaw in one hand and uses the other hand to guide the grinding wheel over the teeth of the chain.
The goal is to grind away any nicks or dullness on the teeth so that they are sharp and can cut through wood more easily. A properly sharpened chain will make cutting easier and faster, and it will also help to extend the life of your saw.
Conclusion
This blog post was very informative and gave clear instructions on how to file rakers on a chainsaw. I appreciated the step-by-step approach and the pictures that accompanied the text. After reading this post, I feel confident that I can properly file my chain’s rakers and keep my saw running smoothly.