Powered by gasoline | 07/26/2020
In some situations, owners of chainsaws may experience some confusion in understanding all the chain markings for these tools. As a result, this leads to unsuccessful purchases. The choice of chainsaws is often determined by just a few basic criteria, one of which is the chain pitch. This indicator helps to highlight the future capabilities of the tool, including its cutting speed, and according to standards it must correspond to the engine power level. How are chains marked? Let's figure it out!
How to extend the life of a chain?
And finally, some advice for those who prefer to work more and spend less time repairing, replacing and sharpening chains. Remember that the power saw is designed for working with wood, so never use it to cut products made from other materials. Make sure that there are no foreign objects in the wood that could damage the chain teeth, such as nails, bolts or metal staples. Even a small steel nail can ruin a few teeth, resulting in the entire chain having to be replaced.
The ideal material for cutting is dry wooden logs, boards or bars, the width (diameter) not exceeding the length of the tire. To cut a huge trunk in several girths, use an industrial-type gasoline saw
To avoid accidentally damaging the saw, use special high stands or sawhorses and make sure that the bar and chain do not come into contact with the ground. The cut should be carried out freely, without “bites”; if the teeth do not grip the wood or the tire moves with difficulty, it’s time to sharpen. Be sure to follow the interval mode - allow the power saw to rest. Lubricate the mechanism in a timely manner and make sure that there is no overheating.
You also need to store the electric saw correctly: https://diz-cafe.com/tech/kak-xranit-instrumenty.html#i-13
Following a few simple rules will increase the service life of the electric saw and allow you to realize many interesting plans.
- Author: yanana11
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How to sharpen an electric saw chain with your own hands?
Many craftsmen sharpen the chain of an electric saw at the first signs of wear on its cutting teeth. However, it is not possible to use any specific tool for this procedure. To work, you need to stock up on a whole set of special equipment. To do this you will need:
- Flat file – it is needed to adjust the depth stop;
- A round file having reference lines;
- Caliber;
- Mandrel – it will help in determining the angle.
To sharpen the chain of an electric saw, the saw element should be left on the bar.
In this case, the tire must be securely fixed in a vice. The diameter of the file used must correspond to the diameter of the chain teeth. When using a round file, be sure to ensure that it extends no more than 1/5 of its length above the chain teeth. The first tooth of the chain to be sharpened must be marked with a marker so as not to go around the second round.
Sharpening an electric saw chain with your own hands should be done with precise and rhythmic movements and only in one direction. After making several sharpenings, proceed to processing the limiter - over time it wears out and loses its shape. When working, place the end side of the gauge against the edge of the stop. If the limiter extends far beyond the caliber, it will have to be trimmed using a flat file. In this case, the gauge must be positioned strictly perpendicular to the saw bar.
It is impossible to determine the result of chain sharpening visually. You can only find out whether you did everything correctly when sawing the wood.
How to choose the right chain?
The chain, along with the engine, is the most important functional part, therefore, with active use, it is often subject to repair, sharpening or complete replacement. It is better to completely replace an old, worn chain, and for this you need to know some selection rules:
- When replacing any spare part (sprockets, bars or chains), you need to remember the compatibility of the elements of electric saws, that is, purchase parts only from the manufacturer: for example, a Makita electric saw requires a chain manufactured by Makita.
- Choose a chain depending on your goals. If you need more power, it is more profitable to purchase a product with a pitch of 3/8 inch; for low loads, 0.325 inch is sufficient. The volume of the cylinder does not matter in this case.
- Pay attention to the sharpening angle - this will be useful for further maintenance, repair or restoration. For greater performance, choose an angle of 30º - it is easier to handle heavy loads. However, when processing wood complexly (if it is damp or frozen), it is better to stop at 10º.
- The length of the chain must correspond to the dimensions of the tire. During operation, it can stretch out and sag, but the issue can be solved by simply removing 1-2 links.
Of course, it is necessary to take into account the cutting method and material. For example, for longitudinal cutting it is better to choose a chain with a small sharpening angle. Productivity will be less, but service life will increase significantly.
One of the indicators for choosing a chain is the pitch, which is usually measured in inches. This is the spacing between rivets divided by two. Now there is a unified designation system and generally accepted standards - 3/8, 0.325 and 0.404 inches
How to properly adjust chain tension
It is necessary to tighten the chain on the saw in the following cases:
- after replacing the equipment with a new one;
- when equipment wears out, which stretches over time.
During operation of the electric saw, do not allow the chain to sag. Also, it should not be over-tightened. Slack accessories can come off the tire and damage it. Strongly overtightened equipment can break or lead to rapid failure of the sprocket and grinding of the tire.
Advice! You can begin tensioning only after the chain has cooled. If this recommendation is ignored, the equipment will begin to shrink as it cools and deform the tire.
To tighten the chain on the unit, you need to do the following.
- Loosen the screw or nut that secures the tire (depending on the unit model).
- Using the adjusting bolt, increase the tension of the equipment. The correct tension of the equipment is checked in a simple way: pull the chain in the center of the bar and look at the drive link. Normally, 1/3 of the shank (its top) should not protrude from the groove of the bar.
- Having achieved the correct tension, tighten the clamping screw (nut).
