On Mon, 8 Feb 2010 09:17:52 -0600, "Master Betty"
wrote:

You don't need a kit. Go to homedepot and find chainsaw files. Get on the
right size. Then go for it. It's very easy but a little time consuming. Do
one direction then another. Find a starting and ending point and mark it
somehow.

My brother was an arborist / tree surgeon until he retired. He just
used a round file, and used the fewest strokes he could (as I
remember) to get it sharp. Steady strokes with the file and feel for
sharpness.

He never let the chains get *really* dull. His experience could tell
him when it was time to touch up the chain a little bit.

If he was climbing a tall pine he would often sharpen the chain before
he went up the tree. A dull saw is as dangerous as a dull knife.