How To Straighten A Chainsaw Blade? The 7 Latest Answer

Chainsaw chains stretch during normal operation and begin to sag on a saw’s guide bar. If a chainsaw chain is allowed to become too loose, it can easily detach from the bar during operation, creating an unsafe situation for the user.

Chainsaw tension should be checked and tightened frequently. Below we explain the simple steps for tensioning a chainsaw chain.

Correct chain saw tension

Before we explain the tensioning steps, we should explain what the correct chainsaw chain tension looks like.

good tension-

A properly tensioned chainsaw chain should still be slightly loose on the chainsaw guide bar, but the chain must be taut enough so that you cannot pull the drive links out of the bar nose.

To determine if your chainsaw’s chain tension needs to be adjusted, pull the chain slightly away from the guide bar to see if the drive links stay engaged or not.

bad voltage-

A loose chainsaw chain will appear as shown below when pulled away from the guide bar. If the chain’s drive links separate from the guide bar when you pull them, it’s time to tighten them up.

Chainsaw chains can also be too tight.

The chain should have at least a little slack, but not enough for the drive links to clear the guide bar. If a chainsaw chain is over-tightened, there is a risk that it will break during operation.

Steps to tension a chainsaw chain

While tensioning a chainsaw chain is easy and takes less than a minute, it’s important to do each step carefully and correctly. If you forget to do something like raise the guide bar nose while tightening, it can seriously affect your tool.

Most chainsaws come with a “swrench” (screwdriver/wrench) that matches your sideplate nut and the size of the tension adjustment screw.

Home Stihl Chainsaws Chainsaw chain keeps coming loose

Chainsaw chain keeps coming loose

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If you’re wondering why your chainsaw chain keeps coming loose, don’t worry… it’s happened to almost everyone who operates a chainsaw.

The good news is it’s easy to fix!

It’s all too easy to find information online on how to tension a chainsaw chain, but when it comes to why it’s loosening in the first place, mom seems to have the word!

You can be an expert at tensioning your chain, but it’s going to be extremely frustrating if you have to do this over and over again – you’ll have to figure out how to keep it from loosening instead.

In this article we explain everything you need to know about why your chainsaw chain keeps loosening – and how you can prevent it.

5 reasons why your chainsaw chain keeps coming loose

1. Chain not properly adjusted

One of the most common reasons your chain could come loose is that it hasn’t been adjusted properly.

As you go through the steps to tension your chain, you must complete these steps by adjusting the tension so that it does not change as you work with your saw.

There are some chainsaws that come with automatic cocking handles, but generally you’ll only find a bolt or two.

These bolts are used to hold the bar in position in relation to the inner sprocket.

This keeps your tension constant.

Failure to tighten the clutch cover nuts securely to the bolts can cause the rod’s position to shift and wreak havoc on your chain’s tension.

2. Temperature fluctuations

This is basic science – when metal gets warm, it expands.

As you use your saw, it will naturally heat up and get bigger.

As a result, a chainsaw chain can start out tight and then loosen.

If you store your chainsaw chain in a cool environment and then use it, you may find that your chain needs tensioning after a while.

You may not notice this as the cause of your chainsaw loosening unless you live in a very warm or very cold environment.

The temperature fluctuations have a greater effect on your chain tension here.

3. Damage to guide bar or chain

Sometimes a damaged chain or bar can cause the chain to come loose.

This is one of the most dangerous reasons why your chainsaw chain could be loose.

Your chainsaw bar has a groove running around its outer edge.

The chain, on the other hand, has teeth that ride in the bar rails to keep the chain’s movement straight.

To determine if your chain or bar is damaged, remove the chain, bar, and chain cover.

Check for dirt around the bar and make sure it is not worn out. If this is the case you will find that the rails are flat.

If this is the case, it must be replaced.

You should also make sure your chain oiler is in good condition and that the chain itself has no broken teeth.

4. Mechanical problems

Mechanical problems can also be to blame if your chainsaw chain keeps coming loose.

Your saw’s tension is determined by how much clearance there is between your bar and the sprocket.

When you tension your chainsaw chain, the tensioning mechanism pulls the bar further away from the sprocket.

Any malfunction or damage to the internal components can cause your chainsaw to become loose.

The best way to troubleshoot this type of problem is to visit your local chainsaw shop.

While you can perform most of your required chainsaw maintenance yourself, for this type of problem it is best to spend the money to have someone do it for you.

5. It’s actually not too loose at all

A somewhat humorous reality of chain saw use is that far more people worry about their chainsaw loosening than about it being too tight.

The logic makes sense – after all, the thought of your chain flying off because it’s too loose is a lot scarier than the thought of it simply being too tight.

As a result, a chainsaw chain that is too tight is more common than one that is too loose.

Many people over-tighten their chains, which can cause just as many problems down the road.

When you tighten your chain, do the pull test.

Pull the chain as far as possible with your fingers (taking care not to cut yourself).

The chain should lift off the bar, but the drive links will not come free.

If the chain doesn’t lift at all, your chain is too tight – and if the drive links separate from the bar, it’s too loose.

How to Tension a Chainsaw Chain – The chainsaw chain keeps coming loose

If your chainsaw chain keeps coming loose, you need to tighten it.

This isn’t much of a challenge and only takes a few minutes (possibly even less once you get the hang of it).

To get the job done you need to use a scench.

A wrench is a special tool that is a combination of a screwdriver and a wrench, specifically designed to tighten and loosen the various nuts on a chainsaw chain.

Start by loosening the sidebar nuts, which will give you some clearance for the chain and chainsaw guide bar, as well as easy access to your chain.

If your chainsaw has a brake attached directly to the side panel, you will need to unlock it before proceeding.

Then turn the nut of the side panel of the guide bar clockwise. You will feel it give way.

You can then pull the chain repeatedly to see if it is taut enough.

As you work to tension your chainsaw chain, be sure to keep it upright. This will help you get the correct tension on your chain.

Chainsaw chain keeps coming loose – overall

By troubleshooting with the tips above, a chainsaw chain that is too loose (or too tight!) should be a thing of the past.

Keep in mind that chainsaws are simple machines that don’t require much mechanical or technical know-how.

However, by understanding the basic mechanics of how these machines work, you can keep some cash in your wallet, protect yourself, and keep your chainsaw running in peak condition.

If you’ve spent a lot of time watching lumberjacks at work, you’ve undoubtedly seen a chainsaw equipped with an inverted chainsaw bar. You may have wondered why that is. Was the guy working the saw just not paying attention that day? Was it a mistake? Does it even matter?

Of course it’s important, and of course the guy working the saw knows what he’s doing…at least we hope so. So why do some people use an inverted chainsaw bar when chopping, limbing, or bucking firewood?

Why we use an inverted chainsaw bar

The answer is probably not too surprising. Chainsaws do not wear out evenly. Most of the cutting action of your chainsaw occurs along the underside of the bar. Although your chainsaw applies oil to the bar to reduce friction between the bar and chain, over time the areas of the bar that are subjected to the most pressure will wear out faster than you might expect.

Each chainsaw bar has been designed to be mounted right side up or upside down. The reason for this is that the user can increase the lifespan of their chainsaw bar by 50%. Reversing the bar takes some wear off of the heavily used areas.

Using inverted chainsaw bars from time to time will keep your cuts more efficient and accurate. As a bar wears, it no longer holds a chain in place, and the chain moves sideways more easily. This reduces a chainsaw’s ability to cut accurately. Instead of cutting in a consistent, focused line, side-to-side chain movement results in a wider cutting swath, reducing your cutting efficiency.

When Should You Flip Your Chainsaw?

Removing the chain for sharpening presents a pretty good opportunity to solve a few preventive maintenance issues. It provides an excellent opportunity to unclog the oil port of sawdust or clogs and reverse position your rod. Of course, how often you actually need to sharpen your chain depends on the type of wood you’re cutting, how much sand you’re hitting, how regularly you use your saw, etc. A significant drop in power will usually tell you when that needs to happen.

Since chainsaw bars can range in price from $30 to $60 and up, you may want to get as much life out of your bar as possible. Turning your chainsaw bar regularly will help with this.

Sharpening your chainsaw correctly In order for your chainsaw to always work at full power and deliver a perfect cutting result every time, it must be sharpened regularly. A blunt or unevenly worn chain requires more power, works imprecisely and can also pose a safety risk. The correct sharpening of the chain requires some practice, but with the right tool it can be learned quickly, even by the technically inexperienced. In this blog post, we provide you with the instructions to do this in simple steps.

When does the chain need to be sharpened? When or how often you need to sharpen your chainsaw chain will depend on how you work, the wood you are sawing, the saw and the chain itself, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer. If the following signs appear, it is time to sharpen the chain on your chainsaw: The chain is no longer biting into the wood: If you have to put pressure on the chainsaw when sawing so that it bites into the wood, the saw chain is no longer sharp alright longer sharp enough.

: If you have to put pressure on the chainsaw while cutting so that it eats into the wood, the saw chain is no longer sharp enough. The chainsaw jumps: If the chainsaw can no longer be placed properly on the wood and jumps when sawing, this also indicates a lack of sharpness.

: If the chainsaw can no longer be placed properly on the wood and jumps when sawing, this also indicates a lack of sharpness. You get sawdust instead of pieces of wood: If relatively fine sawdust instead of coarse pieces of wood fall off when you saw vertically, this also means that it is time to sharpen the chain.

: If relatively fine sawdust falls away instead of coarse pieces of wood when sawing vertically, it is also time to sharpen the chain. Cut in one direction only : If the cut is noticeably in one direction only, the teeth on one side are too dull.

: If the cut is noticeably unidirectional, the teeth are too blunt on one side. Smoke development: If smoke is produced when sawing despite functioning chain lubrication, correct chain tension and correctly adjusted carburetor, the saw chain is not sharp enough.

The right tools for sharpening your chainsaw In order to sharpen your chainsaw’s chain easily, quickly and above all correctly, you need the following tools a round file for the saw teeth

a flat file for the depth gauge

a filing gauge

a folder holder (optional)

a sharpening grid (optional) When choosing a round file, it is important to choose the right diameter. You can find out which diameter is right for your saw chain from the manufacturer’s specifications. With the flat file you should make sure that it has the right (compact) dimensions and the fine cut that you need for this job. Both files can be found in well-stocked specialist shops. A file holder is a very useful accessory, especially for beginners. You often get these in a set with your round file. The holder mounts to the handle and helps you maintain the correct sanding height. A file gauge helps you with various tasks: you can use it to find the right angle when sharpening, set the depth gauge distance and clean the groove and oil inlet hole of the guide bar. A sharpening grid is also a useful tool when trying to get the right angle. With the built-in magnet, you can easily attach it to the chain guide.

Step 1: Prepare the chainsaw and chain The easiest way to sharpen the chain is to leave it on the saw; simply tighten a little more and clamp the chain guide in a vise. You should first clean the chain thoroughly – preferably with a resin solvent or a special chainsaw cleaner. Important: Adhering oil and tree resin must be completely removed. Then check whether the wear mark on the depth gauge or plate edge has been reached. In this case, it makes more sense to buy a new saw chain than to resharpen the existing one. If there is still enough material left for sharpening, you can tighten the chain, activate the chain brake and fix the chain guide in the vise. At this point at the latest, you should also put on gloves to avoid injuries from the teeth of the saw chain. Tip: Use a pencil to mark the shortest incisor as the guide tooth and start sharpening here. This way you know exactly when you have processed all teeth in each direction.

Step 2: Loop both sides of the chain one at a time. Guide the file by holding the handle with one hand and using the other hand to guide the file past the cutter tooth in a forward motion. Start with the guide tooth and adjust it. File the cutting tooth in such a way that the file can be guided along it from the inside to the outside with pressure. Always file at right angles to the guide bar. The correct sharpening angle depends on the saw chain and the wood you want to cut. The sharpening angle is usually between 25° and 35° – the harder the wood, the larger the angle. To maintain the correct angle, we recommend using a sharpening grid or filing gauge as an aid. When filing, make sure that the file only grips in the forward stroke and that you lift it slightly when pulling back. Turn the file at regular intervals so that it does not wear out on one side. The perfect filing result and thus the perfect sharpness is achieved when you see a continuous burr on the cutting edge that does not reflect any light. Repeat the filing process for each tooth until you reach the lead tooth again. Be sure to file all teeth to the same length. Then turn the saw 180° and work on the other side of the saw chain.

Step 3: Check and Adjust Depth Gauges After you have sharpened all the cutters, the appropriate depth gauges need to be adjusted. As the name suggests, the depth gauge limits how deep the tooth plate goes into the wood. As the tooth plate continuously falls backwards and becomes shorter and shorter as it is sharpened, the distance between the top edge of the plate and the top edge of the limiter also changes. However, this so-called depth limitation distance must be the same for all cutting elements and must be of the correct size. If the distance is too great, the chain runs unsteadily and vibrates heavily. As the lifespan of the chainsaw decreases, so does the risk of kickback. The saw chain is also stretched more in this state, which can lead to a sudden break. If the distance is too small, the cutting performance decreases. You can check the distance with a file gauge. Simply place it on the saw chain so that it rests on the plates of the adjacent cutter teeth. If the depth gauge protrudes beyond the gauge, it must be ground down with a flat file until the file rests on the gauge. You can then set the gauge aside and round the gauge slightly to bring it back to its original shape. In this way you avoid unnecessary vibrations when sawing later.

Every chainsaw owner at some point has had to think and ask themselves whether it is really necessary to run a chainsaw at full throttle. Like many questions about the use of chainsaws, this question also usually remains unanswered and can often lead to discussions. However you put it, different chainsaw owners always have different opinions on how a chainsaw should be used. In this article, we took the time to do some research to provide an accurate and thoughtful answer to this question.

Run a chainsaw at full throttle

Each chainsaw model is designed to run comfortably at full throttle without any irregularities. Chainsaw owners who are felling large trees must run their chainsaws at full throttle in order to cut down the tree with ease. This also means that for cutting thick wood or lumber, the best option is to run your chainsaw at full throttle.

Reasons why you should run a chainsaw at full throttle

There are two main reasons why professionals advocate using a chainsaw at full throttle. However, before running your chainsaw at full throttle, always give the chainsaw engine a few minutes to warm up. You also need to make sure the chainsaw is properly lubricated with bar oil. Using a chainsaw at full throttle without bar oil will severely damage your chainsaw motor.

As previously mentioned, there are two main reasons a chainsaw is best run at full throttle. They include:

Personal security

engine protection

Personal security

As previously mentioned, for your convenience and safety, thick wood and lumber should only be cut at full throttle. Running a chainsaw at low speeds when cutting thick wood or lumber increases the risk of saw kickback. On the other hand, it also depends on what type of chainsaw chains you use.

Half chisel and full chisel chains – what’s the difference?

Kickback most often occurs when the chain saw tip contacts the wood and the saw blade is thrown up towards the user. Don’t worry, a setback isn’t as severe as you might imagine. Chainsaws are equipped with a chain break to prevent injury from kickback. To avoid kickback while working, you should:

Apply full throttle before cutting

Avoid using the top of the chainsaw

engine protection

In general, two-stroke chainsaw engines are built to run comfortably at full throttle without engine failure. It is therefore not recommended to drive at a speed below full throttle. Cutting thick wood or lumber at low speed or throttle can cause the chainsaw blades to become dull.

This forces you to put more pressure on the chainsaw, which can also be harmful to the chainsaw’s motor. Also, running at low speed while cutting through thick wood or lumber can cause the needle valve to wear out. This in turn will cause your chainsaw to run too lean and the chainsaw will even die while cutting.

Sharpening a chainsaw chain: is it really worth it?

Depending on the type of wood you are cutting or how often you do it, your chainsaw chain will eventually become dull. Constantly using a dull chainsaw to cut down trees or wood will make your job much more difficult. But is it worth sharpening the chain? Or just buy a new one?

Sharpening your chainsaw chain is definitely worthwhile as a sharp chainsaw chain is easier to work with. It takes less effort to cut through wood and your chain will cut cleaner with sharp blades. A chainsaw chain can be sharpened several times without much effort.

When should I sharpen my chainsaw chain?

One telltale sign that your chainsaw needs sharpening is when you find it’s not cutting as well as it used to. Another option is to examine the sawdust. If you see small chunks or fine wood dust, this is an indication that your chainsaw needs sharpening. However, there is no set interval when you should sharpen your chainsaw.

So how do you know exactly when your chainsaw chain needs sharpening? Below are some signs that can help you know when it’s time to sharpen your chainsaw. They include:

The chainsaw produces fine sawdust instead of coarse or large chunks. You have to apply pressure to force him to saw through wood. If the chainsaw produces smoke even though you have already oiled it and made sure that the chain tension is correct. The chainsaw produces uneven cuts. This means your chain either has dull teeth on one side or the cutting teeth are uneven.

After using your chainsaw, always check the condition of the chain, whether it is dull or missing teeth. To prolong chain life, avoid any activity that can dull or damage your chain. These include:

Hitting hard objects like metal, rocks or ice.

Poor chainsaw storage. Do not place your chainsaw in a wet or damp place as the chainsaw may rust.

Don’t lubricate your chainsaw that often.

How often can a chainsaw chain be sharpened?

A chainsaw chain can be sharpened up to 10 times, sometimes more, before the entire chain needs to be replaced. It mainly depends on two things; the amount of wear your chain suffers and the amount of metal removed with each sharpening. Different materials can have a greater impact on the chainsaw chain. How often you can sharpen the chain depends a lot on what you are using it for.

For example, if you hit a rock and your chain splinters or even breaks, you may not be able to repair it by sharpening at all. If you sharpen your chainsaw chain and remove 60% of the metal, that means you can only sharpen it 40% more before you have to get rid of it. It is not a specific number or a recommendation from any manufacturer. But it goes to show that understanding how and when to sharpen your chain efficiently is a good idea!

Of course, when you’ve worn out both your chain and chainsaw, there’s always the fun adventure of buying a new chainsaw! However, make sure you get the most out of your purchase first.

How long should a chainsaw blade last?

A chainsaw blade should last up to 5 years with heavy, frequent use. With occasional use, a chainsaw blade can last a decade or more. Chainsaw blade life expectancy is highly dependent on chainsaw maintenance and use. Chainsaw blades have no expiration date. There is also no set timetable for how long it should take.

Here are five things that can reduce the life of your chainsaw blade:

Rocks: It’s very common for blades to slide through wood and hit the ground or a rock below. Try as best you can to avoid hitting rocks with your chainsaw blade to ensure it lasts longer.

It’s very common for blades to slip through wood and hit the ground or a rock below. Try as best you can to avoid hitting rocks with your chainsaw blade to ensure it lasts longer. Metal: Sometimes wood contains unexpected metal objects. Common examples are nails, balls or fence staples. These can also damage your chainsaw blade.

Sometimes wood contains unexpected metal objects. Common examples are nails, balls or fence staples. These can also damage your chainsaw blade. Ice: It doesn’t seem like much, but frozen wood and ice can cause your chainsaw blade to chip and wear out. Just be careful when using your chainsaw in the winter.

It may not seem like much, but frozen wood and ice can cause your chainsaw blade to chip and wear out. Just be careful when using your chainsaw in the winter. Rust: Your chain is prone to rust. Therefore, you need to clean and oil it properly. Also, store it properly to ensure your chainsaw blade lasts longer.

Your chain is susceptible to rust. Therefore, you need to clean and oil it properly. Also, store it properly to ensure your chainsaw blade lasts longer. Improper Lubrication: Not using lubrication is a surefire way of overheating your chainsaw. Lubricate it to keep the chainsaw cool and take care of your blade.

Remember that your chainsaw blade is not perfect. It wears out as you use it regularly.

How do you know if a chainsaw is sharp?

An important way to tell if your chainsaw is sharp is to look at the shavings or sawdust that comes off it. If the sawdust is coarse or contains large chunks, the saw is sharp. A dull chainsaw often produces fine sawdust that is smooth and less thick than the sawdust from a sharp chainsaw. Other telltale signs include:

Chainsaw operation is smooth, efficient, and effective: you shouldn’t use a lot of pressure to guide the saw through wood. The chainsaw should pull through the wood.

Easy positioning and cutting: A sharp chainsaw will not get stuck in the wood as long as the motor is still running. It goes straight through the wood and remains stable without shaking or deviating from the target.

How much does it cost to sharpen a chainsaw?

The cost of sharpening a chainsaw chain varies from company to company. Most tool stores will sharpen the chain for less than $30 (AUD).

When you bring your chainsaw to Canberra Diamond Blade we can sharpen your chainsaw chain for the affordable price of $15 (AUD). This is heavily dependent on the number of milling cutters. For an additional fee we will be happy to remove your chain and re-attach it to your saw.

After your chain is sharpened and ready to use, find out what the best chainsaw bar length is in our article. We also know why your chainsaw dulls so quickly and which chainsaw cuts the fastest. Don’t forget your personal protective equipment at work! Do you have any further questions? Canberra Diamond Blade is here to help!