The power behind a chainsaw provides almost everything you need to guide and control your cut, with very little effort on your part other than keeping it steady and providing enough pressure for the chain to its job. When you feel as if your cuts are taking much longer than they should, or you find yourself exerting much more force behind the chain than what you consider normal, you may want to look into why your chainsaw is not cutting in the manner it is designed to. If your chain is spinning, but not cutting, or the chainsaw is not cutting straight, then you need to address the chain itself- as I will explain in more detail below.
Take the guess work out of your repairs with our Fix app. Tap to download and it’s as easy as snapping a photo to find repair parts guaranteed to fit.
Beyond incorrectly sharpening your chain, the next issue on your “Why is my chainsaw not cutting” checklist is chain tension. Chain tension can definitely stall your chainsaw’s ability to cut correctly, even with a sharp chain. No matter how precise your chain tension is or how sharp the cutting teeth are, if your chainsaw’s chain isn’t mounted correctly, it isn’t going to cut anything. If you look at your chainsaw chain from above, you will see that the top of the chain has different blades, with sharp edges on one side and dull on the other. If your chain is moving in the right direction, all cutting teeth are correctly filed, the tension is set, and you still aren’t able to cut butter with your chainsaw, keep going! If there is no need to replace the bar on your chainsaw and you feel confident in your cutting teeth sharpening skills, chain placement, and chain tension, you need to keep reading! If you’ve ticked off every box on the checklist of “Why won’t my chainsaw cut, even with a sharpened chain,” and you’re still at the end of your rope, it may just be time for a complete chain replacement.
If a chainsaw cuts at an angle rather than cutting straight, then the problem most certainly lies in the guide bar and chain assembly. Adjust the chainsaw bar: If possible, adjust your chainsaw bar on a bench before continuing. Use a bar cleaner handle: A bar cleaner hook tool removes debris stuck in the bar’s rails.
chainsaw is not cutting Related Question:
Why does my chainsaw smoke and not cut?
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.
Why is my chain saw not working?
A saw that won’t start or runs rough can cause you to think the carburetor is out of whack, but it may just be a neglected air filter. If the filter is clogged, the ratio of air to gasoline in the carburetor will be off. This can lead to a fouled spark plug and a clogged spark arrester screen inside the muffler.
Why is my chainsaw burning the wood?
Your chainsaw burns wood because of poor lubrication Lubrication allows the mechanical parts to coordinate much better by avoiding a phenomenon of friction which risks causing traces of burns. This is one of the main reasons that your appliance gives off too much heat and that the wood burns.
Why does my chainsaw chain dull so quickly?
Dirt Causes A Chainsaw To Dull If you’re cutting through logs and your angle of approach is too steep, a simple cut through could nick dirt or even worse, rocks on the floor causing your chainsaw to jerk, thus dulling.
How do you start a stubborn chainsaw?
Try to start the chainsaw after priming the carburetor. 5. Activate the choke by moving the lever to the full choke position and pull the starter rope 3 or 4 times to start the engine. If that doesn’t work, move the choke lever to half choke and pull the starter rope, 6 times maximum, to start the engine.
How do you clean a chainsaw carburetor?
Let the chainsaw run at low RPMs/idle for a while. This is to let the cleaner run through the carburetor, the fuel lines, and the idle engine. The cleaner will wipe remove the gummy residue blocking the components to create a clean passageway for the air and fuel. As the RPMs begin to increase, turn down the idle knob.
When should you throw away a chainsaw chain?
The chainsaw pulls in one direction, which results in a crooked finish. Blunt cutting teeth on one side or uneven teeth lengths usually cause this. The teeth has hit rocks or dirt and broken. If you notice the tops of the teeth are missing you will need to replace the chain.
Is it worth sharpening a chainsaw?
Sharpening your chainsaw chain is definitely worth it as a sharp chainsaw chain is easier to work with. It takes less effort to cut through wood and your chain will make cleaner cuts with sharp blades. A chainsaw chain can be sharpened multiple times without much of a cost.
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.
Which way should chainsaw teeth face?
The direction of the chainsaw blade is always the same regardless of the type or model of chainsaw. So the sharp edges of the blade should always face the clockwise direction. If you check from the top, you will notice that the sharp edges are facing the direction opposite the chainsaw body or motor.
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.
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.
How do I know if my chainsaw oil pump is bad?
Generally speaking, the signs of a chainsaw oiler problem are easily spotted. If the chainsaw seems like it’s getting too hot or producing smoke, that is a sign that there is an oil deficiency in the chain. This is not good for the life of your chainsaw. If you spot this problem, it is time to troubleshoot the issue.
How do you clean a chainsaw oil pump?
Clear any sawdust, congealed lubricant and dirt out of the oil outlet hole on the guide bar. Keep the oil pump tank clean: even if it is equipped with a filter, wipe away all dirt around the cap before refuelling. Regularly check and clean the tank vent and the filter itself.
Why do chainsaws overheat?
Common reasons behind chainsaw overheating are a wrong oil/fuel mixture, a blocked or clogged exhaust. It is also possible that the air filter is clogged. Or you are using a dull chain. If you are using your chainsaw for an extended time, or it is not powerful enough for the job, it can also overheat.