Knowledge Builders

how tight should chainsaw

by Loy Littel PhD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

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.

Full Answer

What causes chainsaw chain to tighten during use?

Let’s dig deeper into each of these:

  1. The Chain’s First Use The first potential cause only applies to brand new chains. If your chain is not new, then you can skip to point 2 below. ...
  2. The Chain Wears Over Time The second thing that can cause a chain to get longer, is that the rivets and chain links will wear down over time as ...
  3. The Chain Gets Hot

How to shorten the chain on a chainsaw?

  • Put the chain breaking tool in one line with this link, and, in addition to this, you have to line the push arm with the pine on one of the ...
  • After you have taken away all the needed links, you should put the master link into the rivet tool. ...
  • After all these manipulations your chain gets shortened enough and you can continue using it.

How fast does a chain on a chainsaw go?

The piston ring speed on the average chainsaw travels 2,500 surface feet per minute. A chain slides across the surface of the sawbar rail at around 5000 feet per minute. The chain is moving at 55 to 60 m.p.h. or a mile per minute ( 88 feet per second ).

How to put a chain on a chainsaw properly?

Walkthrough:

  • Open wing nut, remove cover for chain sprocket. ...
  • Put the chain on the tire, starting from the top, the cutting tooth on the upper side should look straight ahead.
  • Attach the assembled tire to the chainsaw, pull the structure onto the sprocket. ...
  • Rotate the wing nut until the sprocket cover touches the engine housing.

More items...

image

How do I know if my chainsaw chain is too tight?

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.

Can you over tighten a chainsaw chain?

There is a tension screw located near the base of the bar on the chainsaw. To tighten the chain, turn it clockwise, and to loosen turn it counterclockwise. Don't over-tighten the chain as this could cause it to break.

What makes a chainsaw blade dull?

Cutting your wood at too steep an angle can be one of the primary causes for your chainsaw becoming dull. By cutting from the top of the wood, through to the bottom your chain has more chance of impacting with the floor, thus causing potential damage to your chainsaw.

Why doesn't my chainsaw cut straight?

In general, there are several reasons why a chainsaw is not cutting straight. The chain is not sharpened on both sides, the chain's tension isn't adequate. The chain's thickness is less than the groove's width. As a result, it doesn't stay vertical in the groove and cuts at an angle.

Why does my chain keep coming loose on my chainsaw?

Chain Not Set Properly One of the most common reasons why your chain might be coming loose is because it was not set properly. When you go through the steps to tension your chain, you need to finish those steps by setting the tension so it won't change as you work your saw.

Why does my chainsaw keep throwing the chain?

Too much slack in your chain can cause the saw blades to jump the bar. This is commonly referred to as throwing the chain. Even if your chain saw is not throwing its chain, the tension might not be correct.

Why is my chainsaw bogging down?

There are several factors may make your saw not work properly. First, it could be that the carburetor, spark arrestor or the air filter are dirty. Or, the carburetor adjustment might have simply slipped. This guide will explore some of the reasons why you chainsaw bogs down as well as the different ways to fix it.

How much bar oil should a chainsaw use?

about one tankGas chainsaws use about one tank of bar and chain oil for every tank of fuel, so fill the reservoir every time you fill the tank.

What happens if you tighten your chainsaw 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. Bar oil is going to be consumed at a higher rate, and if the chain is too tight it can also damage the clutch and bearings when you start the chainsaw.

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.

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).

What to do if your chain keeps losing tension?

If the chain keeps losing tension within minutes of tightening, it is important that you take off the clutch cover and check to see if the guide bar is seated properly on the adjustment pin. It is also worth checking out the threads on the bar studs, since they may be worn out. Worn out threads on the bolts will increase the amount of play in the bar, changing chain tension drastically in the middle of a cut.

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 Do I Tighten the Chain?

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. If you have an electric saw, unplug it, or remove the battery on a battery-operated machine.

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.

How tight should a chainsaw chain be?

Now arises the question that how tight the chainsaw chain should be? The answer is simple. Again hold the chain and try to pull it outward. It should not be so tight that it does not show even a slight outward movement.

What happens if chainsaw chain is too tight?

Now, what if the chainsaw chain is too tight? It will definitely result in harming the motor.

How to get a chain to come back to the same position?

Turn a bit more and check again. keep tightening the chain slightly and each time checking for it until the chain come back to the position from where it was released. Got the position? the chain came back to the same position? good job! You tuned it perfectly.

What happens if your chain is too loose?

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!

Does Husqvarna chain leave the links?

Husqvarna Chain should be tight enough to stay on the link drives and it should not leave the links when pulled. Moreover, do not forget to leave the capacity of a slight movement of the chain of the link drive.

Should there be space when pulling a chain?

There should be a little space when you try to pull it. the space should be so small that the chain should not leave the drive links.

Is Stihl a good chainsaw?

Stihl is known to be one of the best Chainsaw brands. The chain should not leave the link drives of a Stihl Chainsaw. This is one of the common representations of the tightness of a Stihl Chainsaw.

How loose should a chainsaw chain be?

A chainsaw chain that’s too loose won’t cut properly and can also be dangerous. A good rule of thumb is to adjust the tension so that the chain just barely deflects when you push down on it with your thumb.

How much tension is on the chainsaw chain?

There’s no one definitive answer to this question, as the amount of tension that’s ideal for your chainsaw chain will vary depending on the makeup and model of saw, the size and type of chain, and even the specific application you’re using it for.

How to check how tight a chainsaw chain is?

To check how tight a chainsaw chain, you have to use your finger. Hold a solid unit of the chain and pull it up. Then release it gently. To get the proper result, keep the focus on what will happen after releasing the chain.

Why does chainsaw productivity increase?

According to many specialists, the 60-70% productivity of chainsaw can increase because of its chain condition. Tho sharpness of the chain is a parameter of chain condition, still, proper tension of the chain is the most prominent thing here.

Why does my chainsaw lose its bar?

This thing can make your sufferer during using the chain saw. Because when your chainsaw bar has the final speed to cut something, its chain may lose its bar. And once it becomes detach it needs so much time to fix.

What happens if a slack chain loses its bar?

Avoid possible danger: Any unexpected thing can happen if a slack chain lost its bar during it ON. Even it can be a reason for the deep injury of its operator. To avoid those unexpected dangerous situations we should manage the proper tightening of the chain.

Why is a tight chain dangerous?

Then again because of over tension, the chain can cut off when you need it. I can make a huge impact if you are in a serious project.

What does it mean when a chain comes back to the bar?

If the chain comes back to the bar and grapples on the exact position without any movement, then it is in proper tension.

How to get the proper result after releasing the chain?

To get the proper result, keep the focus on what will happen after releasing the chain. But remember don’t apply too much strength to pull the chain up on the bar, then you should avoid it. Either the chain can be broken. There it needs to release some tension of the chain.

How to adjust chainsaw chain?

1. Loosen or Tighten the Bolts. Loosen the bolts on the guide bar's side panel to create ample room for adjusting the chain. Some chainsaws, like the Echo CS490-18, have brakes on the side panel. Unlock them before removing the panel.

How to tighten guide bar on chainsaw?

It may take a while initially, but once you’re familiar with your chainsaw, it will get simpler. 3. Lift the Nose or Turn the Tension Handle. Lastly, lift the chainsaw’s nose to tighten the guide bar’s nuts. If you’ve done the previous steps correctly, this one will hardly take a few minutes.

Why is chain tension important?

Why Proper Tension Is Important: The Dangers You Might Face. Keep in mind that even the best chainsaws need to be tightened from time to time. That is because a poorly-tensioned chain can be harmful to you and the chainsaw itself. If the chain is too tight, it will create pressure on the guide bar when you use the chainsaw at a high speed.

What does it mean when a chainsaw drive links are out of the bar groove?

If the drive links are out of the bar groove, that indicates a loose chain. In contrast, if the front portion of the drive links is uplifted and the ends stay snug in the bar groove, the tension is fine. As a rule of thumb, the drive link shouldn’t completely disengage from the bar if the chainsaw is tensioned correctly.

How to tell if a chain is loose?

On the contrary, if you can easily pull the chain, there can be two outcomes: 1 The chain will snap back in place, which means that the tension is perfect. 2 The chain will go limp, indicating that it's too loose, and the tension needs adjustment.

What does loosening a bolt do to a chain?

Loosening the bolt will relieve tension in the chain, but if you’re tightening the chain , turn the bolt in the opposite direction.

What happens if you use a chainsaw at a high speed?

If the chain is too tight, it will create pressure on the guide bar when you use the chainsaw at a high speed.

How to tighten chainsaw chain?

First Step: Open The Guide Bar Panel- You do this by screwing out nuts that hold the bar panel and guide bar in place so that you can adjust the chain properly.

How Do I Know If My Chainsaw is Tightened Right?

So how do you know when your chainsaw is the right tension? There is no laid down a formula on the exact tightness needed for chainsaw tightening. Mostly, it depends on how tight the user wants it to be and the job at hand.

How to tension a chainsaw?

Steps to Tension a Chainsaw. When your chainsaw starts sagging from the bar or needs to put back the chain in the bar after cleaning, you will always need to tighten the chain. Modern chainsaws are made with side-tightening attachments that make tightening super easy. All you need to do is adjust the side-tightening attachment to ...

Why is chainsaw tension important?

It is imperative that chainsaws be appropriately tensioned. Working with a properly tensioned chainsaw keeps work going smooth and saves time. There are a couple of technicalities common with poor tensioning.

Why does my chainsaw come loose?

If your chainsaw always come loose even after immediate tensioning, a number of things maybe wrong: It could be that the chain is not the correct size for the guide bar or drive sprocket, so change to the size that fits. The chain tensioner, Chain Drive sprocket or bar may be damaged or are in poor working condition.

How to know if a chain is tight?

Stretch the chain from the bar as much as it can go, then release. If it snaps back intact, know that you are on track. NB: if the chain is tensioned too tight, it will not easily stretch from the guide bar and if too loose, it will not fit appropriately into the guide bar after releasing it.

Why tighten chainsaws?

You may have to tighten new chainsaws frequently because of “Break-in.” Break-ins result from Frictional force between the chain links. A new chain will need to stretch a bit to function properly. For older and well-used saws, you may not have to tighten often if your saw is in good working condition.

image

1.How Tight Should a Chainsaw Chain Be? - The Spruce Tools

Url:https://thesprucetools.com/how-tight-should-a-chainsaw-chain-be/

32 hours ago  · If it’s not in either of those locations, check your owner’s manual. To tighten the chain, first, hold the end of the bar so it’s level instead of sagging. As you tighten the tension …

2.How Tight Should a Chainsaw Chain Be? - Chainsaw Larry

Url:https://chainsawlarry.com/how-tight-should-a-chainsaw-chain-be/

25 hours ago  · How tight should the chainsaw chain be? In short, your chainsaw chain needs to be what professional chainsaw users call “snap tight” . This phrase essentially means that you …

3.How Tight Should a Chainsaw Chain Be? Guidelines and …

Url:https://chainsawguru.com/how-tight-should-a-chainsaw-chain-be/

6 hours ago  · 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 …

4.How Tight Should a Chainsaw Chain Be? A …

Url:https://chainsawreviewsblog.com/how-tight-should-a-chainsaw-chain-be/

2 hours ago  · Hold the chainsaw chain with your thumb and pointer finger. Pull it tight. There should be a gap If there is less than, then you need to adjust the tensioner screw. If there is …

5.How tight should a chainsaw chain be? Expert guide

Url:https://chainsawlab.com/how-tight-should-a-chainsaw-chain-be/

16 hours ago  · Tightening a chainsaw chain maybe is not a big deal. But this is pretty difficult to define how much tight it should be. Even 50% of the potential of a chainsaw depends on the …

6.How Tight Should a Chainsaw Chain Be: A DIYer’s Guide

Url:https://powertoolhacks.com/how-tight-should-a-chainsaw-chain-be/

27 hours ago  · How tight should a chainsaw blade be? Your chainsaw should neither be too tight nor too loose. According to professionals, your chainsaw should be snap tight. Well, this …

7.How Tight Should a Chainsaw Chain Be? Fix It in 3 Steps

Url:https://bestsawclub.com/how-tight-should-a-chainsaw-chain-be/

29 hours ago

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9