Tips on Measuring a Chainsaw Blade and Chain

The chainsaw chain is strong enough to cut through wood easily. It must be maintained with regularly oiling. A chain replacement part should be kept on hand so that when the chainsaw chain needs replacing, you have one ready. The chainsaw chain is a versatile device that can be customized to work on a smaller or larger tool. Homeowners, hobbyists and industrial users all appreciate the design and usability of chainsaw chains.

Knowing how to perform a correct replacement of the chain is vital to chainsaw safety and efficient operation of your chainsaw. Read on for some valuable tips on how to go about measuring correctly when replacing a chainsaw chain.

How Do You Measure a Chainsaw Blade and Chain?

At some point, you will likely feel it is necessary to replace the chain from your well-used chainsaw and it will be important that you know both the length of your chainsaw blade as well as the length and type of chain you will need. Looking at charts can get confusing but it really isn’t that hard once you know what to look for in determining the length of both the chainsaw blade and chain.

The length of the chain will be determined by the length of your chainsaw bar. Some companies actually make this easy for you by including the bar size as part of the model number. Oregon chainsaws do this for you with the length of the bar as the first two numbers of the 10-digit number stamped on the blade at the end nearest the motor.

But if your saw does not conveniently help you determine the length of the blade or the saw, here’s how you can figure it out for yourself.

What’s The Best Way To Measure A Chain Saw Blade?

Measuring a chainsaw blade is actually quite simple. Just measure the blade from where the bar comes out of the casing, all the way to the end of the bar. No need to measure around the perimeter.

Blade and bar are two terms that are both used to indicate the same item. This is the blade that extends from the casing of the motor and carries the chain which is what does the sawing for you.

Chainsaw blades are measured in two-inch increments. The most popular sizes are 16, 18 and 20 inches, although you may find some saws with blades ranging from 10 inches to 42 inches in length. If you don’t think your blade ends in an even number, round up to the nearest measurement.

Measuring A Chainsaw Chain

The way to measure the chain on a chainsaw involves knowing the pitch of the chain as well as the number of drive links.

A drive link is simply a tooth on the chain and your chain’s length is determined by the number of drive links (or teeth). The pitch of the chain also affects the size of the drive links.

The pitch of a chain is the size of the chain. This is the distance between any three rivets, then divided by two. Your chain pitch is important because it must match the pitch of the drive sprocket and sometimes the bar nose sprocket. The pitch should be stamped on the drive link.

As an example, a 1/4″ pitch chain might have 52 drive links and be 2.17 feet in length, while a 3/8″ pitch with 52 drive links would be 3.18 feet in length. So the pitch affects the drive link size which affects your blade’s length.

If you have any questions, the manufacturer of your chainsaw or anyone who makes chains should be happy to help you figure out what you need to know.

But if you know what size chain saw chain or chainsaw blade you have and are ready to find a replacement, check out the great selection and good prices at ChainsawDeals.com

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July 10 2008 | chainsaws | No Comments »

Maintaining Your Chainsaw Parts

To maintain your new chainsaw properly, you must be familiar with the many different chainsaw parts. Some parts require more attention than others.

If you’re thinking about entering the world of chainsaws, there are a number of considerations to make. For obvious safety reasons, this isn’t something you should just jump into. When you purchase your new chainsaw, before you even fire it up, make sure you familiarize yourself with the various chainsaw parts and the maintenance they require. If this is done correctly, it will not only keep you safe, it will make your new chainsaw last for years to come.

Chainsaw Parts

Again, to properly maintain your new chainsaw, you must be familiar with the many different chainsaw parts. Some parts require more attention than others. Here are some of the components that you should be aware of.

Obviously, the first part that usually comes to mind when thinking of chainsaws is the chain. This is the component that does the work for you. Good chain maintenance involves making sure it is sharpened regularly and has the proper tension. If your chain is not properly cared for, nothing else you do will matter.

The chain, however, is not the only important chainsaw part to consider. Many of these parts have been added over the years for user safety. The chain catcher is one such feature. This part is designed to prevent injury to the user if the chain should come off for some reason.

Most people are aware of the distinctive sound that chainsaws produce. The muffler is an important chainsaw part for preserving the hearing of the user. Check the muffler regularly to ensure that it is clean and undamaged.

Anti-vibration systems are also designed for the safety and comfort of the user. Anyone who has ever spent a day running a chainsaw is aware of the fatigue created by the vibration. These chainsaw parts are intended to reduce that vibration.

Kickback is an issue that has caused many injuries as far as chainsaws are concerned. The chain brake was introduced in the 1990s to prevent these types of accidents. Basically, the chain brake is designed to stop the chain if kickback should occur.

The flywheel is a chainsaw part that serves a couple of different purposes. Obviously, it’s responsible for controlling the speed of the engine, but it also serves as a cooling device as well. The flywheel helps to eliminate some of the intense heat that these machines tend to create.

In addition to the routine maintenance checks on these components, it’s also important to regularly check the fuel system. It should always be clean and free of any dirt and debris. All filters should also be checked regularly and changed when necessary.

Your chainsaw will provide you with years of service as long as you get to know your machine and give it the care that it requires. This will also help you end your chainsaw career with the same amount of limbs that you started with.

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May 21 2008 | chainsaws | 2 Comments »

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