How do I know if my chainsaw chain is tight enough?
The chainsaw chain should feel snug but still pull freely. Finally, perform a "snap" test to ensure proper saw chain tension. Simply pull the chain on the underside of the guide bar down so one or two drive links are out of the guide bar rails and release it. The chain should snap directly into position.
How tight should a Stihl chain be?
0:281:33Chapter 5: Adjusting Your Chainsaw's Chain Tension - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCover. You should now have a slight up-and-down movement of the bar. Holding the tip of the bar upMoreCover. You should now have a slight up-and-down movement of the bar. Holding the tip of the bar up rotate. The adjustment screw clockwise until the chain is seated against the bottom rail of the bar.
How much slack should a chainsaw chain have?
It should "give" about a 1/4 inch from the bar without much effort. Finally, while still holding up on the tip of the bar, tighten the bar nuts. Proper chainsaw chain tension is safer, it cuts better and it will extend the life of both your chainsaw and your chain.
How tight should a drive chain be?
4%It is important to maintain the proper amount of chain tension. If the chain is excessively tight, rapid chain wear and loss of lubricant will occur. If chain is too loose, excessive vibration and pulsation may occur causing chain damage. For normal drives, adequate slack should be adjusted to 4% of the chain span.
Why does my chainsaw chain keep loosening?
0:101:48Chainsaw Troubleshooting: How to Keep The Chain From Coming Off ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd the chain has teeth that run inside the groove to keep the chain moving straight. If either ofMoreAnd the chain has teeth that run inside the groove to keep the chain moving straight. If either of these are damaged the chain may come loose remove.
Why is my chainsaw blade smoking?
This most commonly is a result of a dull chain and exerting to much pressure on the bar and chain trying to make the chain saw cut. This could also be either a lack of bar and chain oil ( tank empty, restricted oiler hole ) or an inferior type of oil that is being slung off the chain and not lubricating.When I try to use my chain saw the bar and chain smokes and it doesn't ...https://husqvarna.custhelp.com › answers › detail › a_idhttps://husqvarna.custhelp.com › answers › detail › a_idSearch for: Why is my chainsaw blade smoking?
Why does chainsaw cut in a curve?
One major reason a chainsaw curves to either the right or left during a cut is that it was unevenly sharpened. The unequal teeth of the chain cause it to take a different-sized bite into the wood. What is this? The uneven sharpness of the chain is mainly due to manual sharpening, especially with the use of a file.Chainsaw Cuts Crooked? Here's What to Do - Garden Tool Experthttps://www.gardentoolexpert.com › chainsaw-cuts-crook...https://www.gardentoolexpert.com › chainsaw-cuts-crook...Search for: Why does chainsaw cut in a curve?
How many times can you sharpen a chainsaw chain?
A chainsaw chain can be sharpened up to 10 times, sometimes more, before the entire chain needs replacing. It's mostly dependent on two things; the amount of wear your chain incurs and the amount of metal removed every time you sharpen.Sharpening A Chainsaw Chain: Is It Really Worth It?https://canberradiamondblade.com.au › sharpening-a-chai...https://canberradiamondblade.com.au › sharpening-a-chai...Search for: How many times can you sharpen a chainsaw chain?
What happens if a chainsaw is too tight?
If the chain is too tightened, whenever the chainsaw is operational at a high speed, the guide bar will start to curve little by little. Thus the chainsaw might break or become out of operation. Again if the chainsaw chain is too loose, while working, the chain might fall off and cause severe damage to you or someone close by.
What size chainsaw should I use for my home?
According to research conducted, it is found out that the ideal size of chainsaw preferred for home use only is between 14 to 20 inches. So, among the 50 best chainsaws available today, I have chosen one for every size-14 inches, 16 inches, 18 inches, and 20 inches.
Why is it important to sharpen a chainsaw blade?
But before knowing that, you have to know why sharpening is important. Sharpening increases, the efficiency of the chain. Makes the wood-cutting easier and less time-consuming. So, the time you spent sharpening, will help you spend less time while cutting down wood. To sharpen the chainsaw blade, you’ll need a file.
How to check if chainsaw chain is aligned?
To check to alignment, slightly pull the chainsaw chain, if it gets disengaged from the guide bar, it’s time to tighten up the chain a little bit. It can also get over-tightened. If the chain is too tightly aligned with the guide bar, you need to loosen it a little bit.
Why is it important to keep the chain sharp?
It’s important to keep the chain sharp. A sharp chainsaw chain will undoubtedly make the cutting more efficient as well as prevent kickbacks. Moreover, it increases safety.
Where to find chain tension on a bike?
You could find them at the side of the guide bar. By tightening the bolt, the chain will be tightened and by loosening the bolt the chain will be loosened. After completing the tightening and loosening, be sure to check several times if the tension is correct or not, if not, adjust again.
Where are the brakes on a chainsaw?
Some of the chainsaws have brakes attached to the side panel. For those chainsaws, obviously, unlock the brakes before doing anything with the chainsaw. Secondly, start adjusting the tensioning screw. You could find them at the side of the guide bar.
What happens if you run a chainsaw with a loose chain?
A loose chain will result in slanted cuts, and it won’t “feed” itself into the wood so you’ll have to force the chainsaw in by bearing down on the guide bar using your own body weight which can cause the bar to bend.
What happens if you tighten your chain too much?
By tightening the chain too much, you’re putting extreme stress on the drive sprocket and bar nose which will result in premature wear. A chain that is too tight also runs the risk of snapping at any moment, and it will eat its way into the bar rails.
Why loosen chain tension after work?
Another benefit of loosening the chain tension after a work session, is the next time you start your chainsaw it will be easier on the clutch and bearings in the drive sprocket. This will extend chain, guide bar, and sprocket lifespan.
Why is my chainsaw chain coming off?
The last thing you want is your chain to come off because you were too lazy to check your chain tension (or didn’t know how).
How to test chain tension?
Once the chain is snug enough with the bar that you’re unable to see any light passing through in between the chain and bar rails, it is time to test the tension with your fingers. With your index finger and thumb, give the bottom section of the chain loop a light tug. It should snap right back with ease.
What is chainsaw chain?
You see, a chainsaw chain is simply a loop of metal links spinning around an oval shaped guide bar. At extremely high speeds, rotational inertia and centrifugal force come into play. What these forces are trying to do, is turn the oval shaped loop into a circle.
How long does it take for a chainsaw to cool down?
The first thing you want to do is let your chainsaw cool down, if you’ve been using it to cut wood. It shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes. This is because the chain is probably hot from slicing through wood and grinding against the bar, so naturally it is going to be in a slightly expanded state.
How Important It is to Have a Perfectly Fitted Chainsaw Chain?
If your chain is too loose then there is a huge possibility of the chain being slipped from the chainsaw. You can imagine what can happen after it slips. It can cut your hand, arm, face, or any other body part. It is really dangerous!
Frequently Asked Questions
Checking for the perfect tightness of a chainsaw is quite easy. You can check it by using your fingers. Just grab the chain, pull it as far as you can and then release it. After release, it gets back to the original position then, it is tight enough. If not, it means it needs to be tightened a bit more.
Final Takeaways: How Tight Should a Chainsaw Chain Be?
All these methods are highly working and real. By using these tricks you do not need to worry about risk. These tips will guide you regarding the tightness of a chainsaw chain. I hope this article is helpful concerning the perfect tightening of your chainsaw chain.
Why Is Chain Tightness Important?
Before we go any further, let’s talk about why it’s important to have the chain properly tightened. To begin with, let’s assume you have a brand new saw with a perfectly-tensioned chain. As you operate your saw, the chain will be under stress, and it will slowly stretch out. After a while, it’s going to start to sag.
What Tools Do I Need?
Most chainsaws will come with a tensioning tool you’ll use to adjust your chain. It has a hex socket at one end of a hollow tube that serves as a handle. Sticking out of the handle, in a T-shape, there’s a standard screwdriver. If you have one of these, it’s all you’re going to need to adjust the chainsaw.
How Do I Tighten the Chain?
If you’ve been running your chainsaw, wait for it to cool down. A hot saw could burn you, and a hot chain is going to shrink slightly as it cools. Regardless of whether your saw is hot or not, disconnect the spark plug wire before you start adjusting. The last thing you want is to have the motor suddenly fire up while you’re working.
How Tight Is Too Tight?
But how tight should the chain actually be? To find out, look at the inside part of your chain. There, you’ll see little shark fin-shaped teeth that fit in the groove in the bar. If those teeth can come out of the groove, the chain is too loose.
Closing Thoughts
Keeping your chainsaw under the proper tension is an integral part of maintaining your tool in proper condition. Just like filling your bar oil and sharpening your blades, it’s one of the things that keeps your saw safe and functional.
