To determine whether the chainsaw chain is stretched, pull the chain away from the chainsaw’s guide bar to see if there’s space between the two. If there’s space between the chain and the chainsaw’s guide bar, then the chainsaw chain is stretched. If you pull on the chain slightly and it stays on the slides of the chainsaw guide bar, then the chain isn’t stretched.
Over time, the chain on your chainsaw will become loose, and new chains will stretch a lot more when you are breaking them in. You need to pay attention so that you can tighten a loose chain before you turn the chainsaw on, as loose chains are dangerous. People often wonder if chainsaw chains can stretch because they can come loose.
If you want to know more about it, I’ll go through some quick facts about how the chain on your chainsaw operates, what caveats there are, and what you can do to keep both your chainsaw and chain working for longer efficiently. This is especially true for brand new chainsaws that have never been used before: their chains may need to be tightened more often and generally speaking, will stretch a lot after the first few times you use the chain. The chain will always stretch to some extent no matter what you do; this is why you have to make the necessary checks and inspections before working with your chainsaw.
Tightening the screw will tighten the chain, and loosening will loosen the chain. Visit our Chainsaw Chains page to our inventory of available replacement chains and other chainsaw accessories. eReplacementParts.com stocks thousands of parts for many major chainsaw brands, including Echo chainsaw parts.
Chainsaw chains stretch over time to mechanical wear and thermal expansion. Chainsaw chains stretch considerably after their first run, with about 1/100 of an inch per link. All new chainsaw chains stretch by a certain amount after their very first use.
do chainsaw blades stretch Related Question:
How much will a chainsaw chain stretch?
How much will a Chainsaw Chain Stretch? Chainsaw chains stretch considerably after their first run, with about 1/100 of an inch per link. A longer chain with 75 links stretches around 0.75 inch. A shorter chain will still stretch almost half an inch.
How do you tell if your chainsaw chain is stretched?
To determine whether or not your chainsaw’s chain tension needs to be adjusted, pull the chain away from the guide bar a little to see if the drive links remain engaged or not. A loose chainsaw chain will look like the one pictured below when it is pulled away from the guide bar.
How tight should chainsaw blades be?
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.
Why does my chainsaw chain keep stretching?
Over time, the chain on your chainsaw will become loose, and new chains will stretch a lot more when you are breaking them in. You need to pay attention so that you can tighten a loose chain before you turn the chainsaw on, as loose chains are dangerous.
Why does my chainsaw chain keep loosening?
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.
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.
Can chains stretch?
If roller chains are poorly lubricated, stretching will take place very quickly. When a chain has elongated 3% of its original length, it must be replaced.
Why does a chainsaw cut crooked?
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.
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.
How long should a chainsaw blade stay sharp?
A chainsaw may only need to be sharpened once a year if it is rarely used, but a tool that is frequently used will need to be sharpened regularly to ensure that the blade doesn’t get too dull. On average, a chainsaw blade will retain its sharpness for about 3 hours of actively cutting through wood.
Do chainsaw chains stretch over time?
It’s perfectly normal for a chainsaw chain to stretch after regular use. But, if you allow your chainsaw to become too loose, it can easily come off and pose a dangerous situation for you. A chainsaw chain stretches and loosens from tension and extreme friction.
Can I take links out of a chainsaw chain?
Align the hole in one of the links of the chain with the punch that presses the rivet out of the middle of the link and the flat base of the tool. Push down on the handle to apply pressure to the rivet until it pops out and releases the link. Snap the remaining links back together securely.
How often should you replace your chainsaw chain?
The chain sprocket must be replaced if the depth of the wear marks reaches about 0.5mm, i.e. the wear limit. A seriously worn chain sprocket can cause the chainsaw chain and guide bar to wear at an increased rate, as well as reducing cutting performance too, so it’s important to keep an eye on.
Can I use vegetable oil instead of bar oil?
Effective – Vegetable oils have natural properties including good lubricity, resistance to shear, a high flash point, and a high viscosity index. These qualities lend themselves to chain lubricant requirements similar to petroleum-based chain oils, and do not contribute to chain or bar wear over time.
How many times can you sharpen a chainsaw chain?
Cutters can be sharpened up to 10 times or more before the chain needs replacing. If your cutters are worn unevenly after a few sharpenings, a professional can regrind them to uniform shape. If you use the same chain for a few years, then buy a new one, the new one won’t mesh smoothly with the sprocket and bar.