File size sharpening stihl 023C - Stihl Chain Saws, 017, 019, 021, 023 & 025

This should be what your looking for.

STIHL 021 023 025 Workshop Manual pdf Google Drive

First you will need which chain size cutters that your going to using it on. There is several different sizes use the Stihl depending on the particular saw. Here is a list the different size grinding disks.

What size chain are you sharpening?
it doesn't matter what brand it is.

it could be a number of reasons. it could be spark, no fuel delivery to carb or a leak somewhere that is allowing air to enter engine and leaning out your carb. do a crankcase pressure and vaccum test to find out whats going on

I can't show you pictures but I can try to explain. Tighten the chain on the saw to the normal working tension. If possible put your saw in a vice with the vice jaws clamped on the bar in a way that allows free movement of the chain around the bar when the chain brake is off. work your way around the chain to find the shortest tooth on the chain. Sharpen that tooth by using a file (4.8mm for the normal chain on that saw). You should work at 30 degrees across the face of the tooth.The spec says you should also angle the sharpening at 5 degrees from horizontal but if you have the chain at normal tension then the movement of the chain in the bar while sharpening is likely to give you about 5 degrees anyway - so just work horizontally and you won't have a problem. You only need gentle pressure pressing back towards the engine of the saw and enough strokes to get the surface of the tooth free of any pits, chips and rounded edges. When finished mark that tooth - I use a felt pen so it is easy to see. Do the same for every other tooth but to ensure the saw cuts straight (and does not give you curved cuts) it is essential that every tooth is sharpened to the same size as the shortest (use a measuring gauge if necessary). When you have been all the way round on all teeth then you need to adjust the depth gauges on the chain links. If you don't then the saw will probably only produce fine dust and not nice cut wood chips. With a flat file and depth gauge tool place the tool along the teeth pulled back against one. Through the gauge fingers you will see the chain depth limiter and this needs to be filed down to the level of the gauge tool. If you start the process at the tooth you marked earlier you will easily see when you have worked all the way around. Your chain should now be sharp. Before using it it is advisable to remove the chain from the saw and clean any filings out of the chain and bar to avoid them causing unnecessary wear. Good luck.

Sharpen with a flat file. Its a long process as each tooth has 2 cutting edges. There are companies that will do this properly at cost.

the cutters on your chain are not filed evenly. Either take saw to a Stihl dealer and have chain sharpened or get a new chain. Ask them to show you how to sharpen your chain.

For the normal size chain you use a 5.2mm round file. Smaller chains for top handles take a 4mm round file.

The size of your chain dictates the file size. If I know your chain size I could help you

Why bother with a file when you can get an electric sharpener for $29 at Harbor Freight?

http://www.harborfreight.com/electric-chain-saw-sharpener-93213.html

Works about a zillion times faster.