Chainsaw File vs Bench Grinder: Which One Should You Buy?

Side by side

Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 20 October 2026.

Chainsaw file vs bench grinder: what each tool does

The Oregon files sharpen by hand, one cutter at a time. The 5/32 inch (4.0 mm) file is stated for 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch low profile chains; the 13/64 inch (5.2 mm) file for Stihl 3/8 inch and .404 inch chains. Both are Swiss double-cut designs: the 5/32 lists precision cutting-tooth with fewer teeth per inch than competitive files, uniform diameter and tooth height, and a uniform tang with no burrs or sharp edges; the 13/64 lists double-cut for smoother and quicker removal of material.

The grinders sharpen by wheel, powered. The DEWALT DW758 is an 8 inch bench grinder with a 3/4 HP induction motor at 3600 rpm, a rugged cast iron base and motor housing, precision-machined aluminum tool rests, and rear exhaust ports, including 60 and 36 grit wheels, eye shields, spark deflectors and tool rests. The WEN BG4260 is a 6 inch bench grinder with a 2.1 amp motor turning 6 by 3/4 inch wheels at up to 3450 rpm, one 60-grit and one 36-grit wheel with 1/2 inch arbors, pivoting tool rests and adjustable eye guards; its listing mentions a two-year warranty with no specific term stated, so no warranty term is counted.

Speed and effort

A grinder removes metal faster and more repeatably than a hand file. A file needs only a hand and a stump vise; the Oregon listings are 12 packs, and cutters carry spares because files wear. The grinders need a bench and power; the WEN weighs 14 pounds and the DEWALT’s weight figure in the spec table is a listing error, so both sit on a bench.

The grinders trade portability for power. The WEN includes pivoting tool rests and adjustable eye guards, plus a 60-grit and a 36-grit wheel with 1/2 inch arbors; the DEWALT includes precision-machined aluminum tool rests, rear exhaust ports in the wheel guards, eye shields and spark deflectors. Those rests and guards are the setup work a hand file skips entirely: no bench, no power, no guards to adjust.

What the listings do not state

The Oregon listings state chainsaw chain sharpening directly. The grinder listings state general grinding: the WEN is described as perfect for reviving old tools, knives and bits, and the DEWALT targets industrial grinding applications. Neither grinder listing states a chain-sharpening use, so a grinder is a general shop tool here, not a stated chain sharpener. Neither grinder states a specific warranty term; the WEN listing mentions a two-year warranty with no specific term.

File details worth knowing

The Oregon files are 12 packs: files wear, and cutters carry spares. The 5/32 inch file is 8 inches long and states a Swiss double-cut design with precision cutting-tooth and fewer teeth per inch than competitive files, a centerless grind, uniform file diameter and tooth height, and a uniform tang with no burrs or sharp edges. The listing states optimum hardening with sandblasting and demagnetizing, and a 13.61 g weight.

The 13/64 inch file is stated for Stihl 3/8 inch and .404 inch chains, with a double-cut the listing says gives smoother and quicker removal of material, and a superior hardening process on the file teeth for longevity. It is described as professional grade Swiss round files made to meet the demands of the forestry industry. Both files are hand tools with no stated warranty term.

Two examples

How we scored them

Each example is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, using only what the listing publishes. The weights are on our How We Pick page. The WEN leads on its complete accessory set; the DEWALT on motor power and cast iron build; the Oregon files on their stated chain-sharpening design.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a bench grinder sharpen a chainsaw chain?

The listings here do not state it: the grinders describe general grinding of tools, knives and bits, and the Oregon files are the stated chain-sharpening tools. Buy the grinder for the shop, not for the chain.

Which file fits my chain?

The Oregon 5/32 inch (4.0 mm) file is stated for 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch low profile chains. The Oregon 13/64 inch (5.2 mm) file is stated for Stihl 3/8 inch and .404 inch chains.

Which grinder is more powerful?

The DEWALT states a 3/4 HP induction motor at 3600 rpm with 8 inch wheels; the WEN states a 2.1 amp motor at up to 3450 rpm with 6 inch wheels. The listings state the figures in different units, so compare them as stated.

Which state a warranty?

None of the four state a specific warranty term: the WEN listing mentions a two-year warranty with no specific term, and the DEWALT and both Oregon files state no warranty term.

Which is lighter?

The WEN states 14 pounds. The Oregon 5/32 file states 13.61 g; the DEWALT weight figure is a listing error, and the 13/64 file’s weight figure is unclear in the listing.

Which wheel grits do the grinders include?

Both include one 60-grit and one 36-grit wheel: the DEWALT with its eye shields and spark deflectors, the WEN with 1/2 inch arbors. The 36-grit wheel removes metal faster; the 60-grit leaves a finer finish.

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