Re-Chaining a Chainsaw

[Juice Box]

The chain fell off my chainsaw (its still in tact)...and I cant seem to get it back on the saw! Is there a special technique to do so?

 

[Chompman]

Turn it on full speed and then you hold on the chain really tight and place it on the moving parts...

 

[olds]

There is a screw to loosen the bar. Loosen it, put chain back on, tighten screw/bar to the correct tightness. We always used a dime. If you can just slip a dime in between the bar and chain, you are good to go.

 

[Juice Box]

Originally posted by: Chompman
Turn it on full speed and then you hold on the chain really tight and place it on the moving parts...

haha...right....

 

[sonambulo]

make sure you oil it.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: sonambulo
make sure you oil it.

It should have an oiler

 

[sonambulo]

yea, but what if it doesnt?

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: sonambulo
yea, but what if it doesnt?

Then throw it away and buy a real one. The ones from Toys R Us don't count.

 

[DrPizza]

uhhhh, read the manual???????

What exactly are you cutting?

I'm thinking that someone who can't operate a chain-saw to the extent of being able to replace the blade, ought not be cutting down trees. Or, is this one of those kiddy saws for trimming your hedges?

note: my oldest son was allowed to use some power tools before he was in kindergarten: jig saw and drill. He made some decent birdhouses at that age. He's now 15 years old. While I'm at school today, researching and typing a paper, he's at home, cutting out part of a wall to replace a single closet door to an 10 foot closet with a 6 foot wide set of bi-fold doors. Part of the job requires some re-wiring to move a circuit that goes up through the wall he's cutting out. He'll be using a circular saw, reciprocating saw, among other tools. He'll be re-wiring household circuits, putting in new boxes and new wiring. I'm not even home while he's doing this (just his mom)

But, he's not allowed to use the chain saw to cut wood outside. Period.

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
uhhhh, read the manual???????

I'm thinking that someone who can't operate a chain-saw to the extent of being able to replace the blade, ought not be cutting down trees.

Man, you beat me to it.

Put that damn thing down till you know what you're doing!

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: DrPizza
uhhhh, read the manual???????

I'm thinking that someone who can't operate a chain-saw to the extent of being able to replace the blade, ought not be cutting down trees.

Man, you beat me to it.

Put that damn thing down till you know what you're doing!

At least the OP knows that it has a chain and not a blade.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: DrPizza
uhhhh, read the manual???????

I'm thinking that someone who can't operate a chain-saw to the extent of being able to replace the blade, ought not be cutting down trees.

Man, you beat me to it.

Put that damn thing down till you know what you're doing!

Rarely do I think that way. I'd say that for 99% of products on the market, you're really not at that much risk while using the product. Circular saw: just don't put your fingers into the blade and you should be okay. Recip saw: make sure there are no live wires where you're cutting, and you should be okay.

Chain saw: know wtf you are doing or you are going to harm yourself, others, or property. If we're talking about trimming small branches or cutting down some sapplings, then wtf do you even own a chain saw? Why not a bow saw or something?

 

[EagleKeeper]

If you are going to put the chain back on the pulley/bar(blade); clean out the area around the pully.

Make sure that the chain teeth are kept sharp; cuts better and less strain on the person holding the saw. Best to sharpen them after use when cleaning the unit.

Most saws have an oiler; it may be self oiling or you may have to pump it every few minutes when cutting.

The bar will also loosen up after use; make sure that it is checked before starting the saw up initially and during every break. It only takes 30 seconds to check & tighten; it can prevent the chain from jumping off and/or getting pinched.

 

[dartworth]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
There is a screw to loosen the bar. Loosen it, put chain back on, tighten screw/bar to the correct tightness. We always used a dime. If you can just slip a dime in between the bar and chain, you are good to go.

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Chain saw: know wtf you are doing or you are going to harm yourself, others, or property. If we're talking about trimming small branches or cutting down some sapplings, then wtf do you even own a chain saw? Why not a bow saw or something?

I own a fair amount of power tools, but that's one tool I've been really hesitant about buying. Not only is the initial price high for a good one, and I don't need it that often, but the damn things are dangerous!

A couple local weekend warriors have been killed by them in only the last decade. An old friend's dad is a professional tree trimmer, and he's got a HUGE gash down his face from a chainsaw. There's just so much exposed "blade", the risk is real.

 

[Juice Box]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
There is a screw to loosen the bar. Loosen it, put chain back on, tighten screw/bar to the correct tightness. We always used a dime. If you can just slip a dime in between the bar and chain, you are good to go.

Thanks! That worked perfectly

 

[Juice Box]

And the chainsaw we were using may not be the BEST of chainsaws...its pretty good quality

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Chain saw: know wtf you are doing or you are going to harm yourself, others, or property. If we're talking about trimming small branches or cutting down some sapplings, then wtf do you even own a chain saw? Why not a bow saw or something?

I own a fair amount of power tools, but that's one tool I've been really hesitant about buying. Not only is the initial price high for a good one, and I don't need it that often, but the damn things are dangerous!

A couple local weekend warriors have been killed by them in only the last decade. An old friend's dad is a professional tree trimmer, and he's got a HUGE gash down his face from a chainsaw. There's just so much exposed "blade", the risk is real.

*shrugs* Been using one since I was 16 or so to help clear stuff in the woods down by the river on my family's property. Chainsaw's no different than anything else. Keep it in good shape, treat it with respect, you'll be fine.

ZV

 

[Ornery]

Only takes one mistake...

Hard to believe somebody that uses one for a living would end up severly scarred for life by one, but there ya go. He caught my brother buying one several years ago, and insisted a chain break be installed immediately. I think they're required now by law.

 

[Juice Box]

Its only an electric Chainsaw....not a gas one...if that makes a difference

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: Juice Box
Its only an electric Chainsaw....not a gas one...if that makes a difference

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: Juice Box
Its only an electric Chainsaw....not a gas one...if that makes a difference

Same advice applies plus do not attempt to cut while standing in the rain or in a puddle.

 

[Calin]

Originally posted by: Juice Box
Its only an electric Chainsaw....not a gas one...if that makes a difference

No, it makes no difference. It might make a big difference when cutting trees (gas powered are much more powerful), however, you are very weak compared to a tree.
No wonder lumberjack is the most dangerous work in North America (more so than being a policeman)

 

[skyking]

1) unplug, put on leather gloves
2)one or two nuts on the side of the housing, 12~14MM, loosen 2 full turns.
3) screw right next to bar, longitudinal axis of screw parallel to long dimension of bar, loosen 5 or 6 full turns.
4) grasp chain on top side of bar, pull chain away from motor and around tip of bar till it is back in grooves. This direction of pull mimimizes the hand cutting potential, but use the gloves anyway, please
5) tighten screw until the chain cannot be pulled vertically by hand so that the tooth is completely out of groove. Note that this differs from saw to saw by size, but should be OK for electrics.
6) tighten the two nuts back up.
7)?
8) Profit!