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Chain saw chain question
bpost
Member Posts: 32,664 ✭✭✭✭
I have some chains that are too long from use. The teeth are fine with plenty of life remaining.
Can links be removed to shorten the chain? If you do take out links do you have to worry about the drive teeth spacing?
Both saws are Stihl one a 036 PRO and the other a 021.
Can links be removed to shorten the chain? If you do take out links do you have to worry about the drive teeth spacing?
Both saws are Stihl one a 036 PRO and the other a 021.
Comments
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
Under normal use that shouldn't happen though. Make sure you are getting plenty of oil. Make sure you are not running your chain too tight and that you sharpen often. Heat from lack of oil, too much tension or heat from trying to cut with dull teeth are what cause that.
Of course there will always be some minor stretch but enough to need to remove a links indicates a problem.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
I will go to a saw shop and get some master links for repair.
Be sure your oiler is working properly and that you keep chains sharp.
Also, I hope you are using a bar oil with a tackifier and not used motor oil.
BUY A STIHL......uh,what was the question?
I really love this place, it always puts a smile on my face... [:D][:D]
If your chains are stretching, you are getting them too hot. I would NOT shorten a stretched chain for saftey reasons. It is bound to break.
Be sure your oiler is working properly and that you keep chains sharp.
Also, I hope you are using a bar oil with a tackifier and not used motor oil.
Stihl saws, Stihl chains, Stihl bar oil, Stihl synthetic two-stroke oil, Stihl hard hat with face guard-ear protection, Stihl saw files, Stihl carry boxes and Stihl bar protectors.
Did I mention Stihl???? [:D]
quote:Originally posted by freemind
If your chains are stretching, you are getting them too hot. I would NOT shorten a stretched chain for saftey reasons. It is bound to break.
Be sure your oiler is working properly and that you keep chains sharp.
Also, I hope you are using a bar oil with a tackifier and not used motor oil.
Stihl saws, Stihl chains, Stihl bar oil, Stihl synthetic two-stroke oil, Stihl hard hat with face guard-ear protection, Stihl saw files, Stihl carry boxes and Stihl bar protectors.
Did I mention Stihl???? [:D]
No chaps? A cheap investment to save your legs.
And I still would NOT have the chains shortened. You are trying to hog through it too fast and you are getting your chains too hot.
If you have the chains shortened and they break, we are gonna be able to call you stumpy! [:I] OR perhaps scarface. [8)]
I have never had a chain stretch to the point where I could not tighten it, and I have worn out 5 or 6 chains in these years.
That is an odd problem that you have, are you sure you are tightening it all the way?
By the way that is great firewood, the best available in the US.
It is even better than oak.
the only way a chain should be shortened is if you acquired, say a 20'chain and you have a 16" bar
The Pitch of the Drive Sprags needs to match the Pitch of the drive sprocket!
Chains are a lot cheaper than Drive sprockets, as they are usually part of the Driven Element of the Clutch Housing.
DO NOT shorten a stretched chain! i have a scar and learned the hard way.
the only way a chain should be shortened is if you acquired, say a 20'chain and you have a 16" bar
WARNING: If the chain meant for your bar,is no longer able to be used,THROW IT AWAY and buy a new one!!
quote:Originally posted by jwb267
DO NOT shorten a stretched chain! i have a scar and learned the hard way.
the only way a chain should be shortened is if you acquired, say a 20'chain and you have a 16" bar
WARNING: If the chain meant for your bar,is no longer able to be used,THROW IT AWAY and buy a new one!!
I disagree. We were in the power equipment business for 2 decades and sold ~500,000 feet of chain a year.
One link out of a chain will not be the end of the world. It happens. I cant tell you how many I have done that with.
Also just because you change bar LENGTHS (not drive pitch) there is no need to throw away a good chain when it can be shortened to that length. ALL chain comes of bulk rolls somewhere to be cut to length. So there is no reason that you can not cut it or add to it for length if you change bar LENGHT.
If you change bar pitch then you will need a new sprocket of that pitch and the proper pitch chain.
Added: I hope that response didn't actually need a green font to make sense.[:D]
quote:Originally posted by freemind
If your chains are stretching, you are getting them too hot. I would NOT shorten a stretched chain for saftey reasons. It is bound to break.
Be sure your oiler is working properly and that you keep chains sharp.
Also, I hope you are using a bar oil with a tackifier and not used motor oil.
Stihl saws, Stihl chains, Stihl bar oil, Stihl synthetic two-stroke oil, Stihl hard hat with face guard-ear protection, Stihl saw files, Stihl carry boxes and Stihl bar protectors.
Did I mention Stihl???? [:D]
I prefer Oregon bars and chain, but Stihl...
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
You should have bought a John Deere.
Added: I hope that response didn't actually need a green font to make sense.[:D]
[:D]
I would stick with the manufacturer's link/size recommendations. Chains are not expensive.
Having said that, a pro shop can make chains for you and can adjust the chains you have.
And Will Only Hurt Yer Wallet A Bit!!!!![:D]
If it's that bad I wouldn't use them any longer.
quote:Originally posted by freemind
If your chains are stretching, you are getting them too hot. I would NOT shorten a stretched chain for saftey reasons. It is bound to break.
Be sure your oiler is working properly and that you keep chains sharp.
Also, I hope you are using a bar oil with a tackifier and not used motor oil.
Stihl saws, Stihl chains, Stihl bar oil, Stihl synthetic two-stroke oil, Stihl hard hat with face guard-ear protection, Stihl saw files, Stihl carry boxes and Stihl bar protectors.
Did I mention Stihl???? [:D]
We cut'n wood or hunting Elk on the High Dollar Ranch for the Hunting Channel?
make sure you file down your rakers
each time you sharpen --
Edit:
The cut wood chip will help keep the chain cool --
Lee
Rakers
By Tim Ard
Ah, those little guys on the front of the saw chain tooth. With only a little swipe of the file, I can make this chain saw really cut!
Some call them Rakers, some call them Drags, others, like I do, refer to them as Depth Gauges. Whatever you technically want to call them. Some people abuse them, some confuse them, and some just don't realize how they work and what they do for you.
I often hear, "they are to be left alone". "Don't mess with them." Others say to, "take them down first thing on a new chain." Most common exchange of thought is, "you really don't have to do anything with them. They will wear down as you use the chain."
In answer, first I would recommend. if you don't understand them leave them alone but, take them and the rest of the chain, to a professional shop for sharpening and depth gauge settings.
You have to adjust them. Look at the chain tooth. The top plate area, as you file it back, goes downward toward the end of the top plate. As you file the cutting surface of the tooth back, the depth gauge will grow. Maybe not grow, but stick up past the tooth point. The results, you will either have to set them properly or you will have to apply so much pressure to the saw to get it to cut, it will be dangerous for the saw, saw chain, guide bar and You.
Taking the depth gauges down on a new chain or at any point of the chain life, below manufacturer's specs is not a good idea. Check the specifications on your saw chain and make sure you use proper tools to maintain the settings as close as possible. With hand tools it's hard to keep everything perfect, but dropping them too much below design can mean a lot of grabbing, chatter and possibly loss of control.
Well, finally the last statement is somewhat true. They will possibly wear down a little on their own in abrasive conditions. Nevertheless, under normal cutting of wood, not rocks, etc., the hardened surface of the depth gauge is not likely to wear very much. At least not wear to the tune of an exact thousands of an inch.
Proper Depth Gauge checks and adjustments during the filing/sharpening process are as important as having two-cycle oil in your fuel mix. You can cause a lot of damage taking them for granted.
Thanks Lee, I have a raker depth gauge and file them as needed to maintain the proper tooth bite.
Good deal --
I've run into several cutters who do a lot of trees each year
and don't know what a RAKER is --
Good luck
Lee
Keep chain sharp --- it won't overheat
make sure you file down your rakers
each time you sharpen --
Edit:
The cut wood chip will help keep the chain cool --
Lee
Rakers
By Tim Ard
Ah, those little guys on the front of the saw chain tooth. With only a little swipe of the file, I can make this chain saw really cut!
Some call them Rakers, some call them Drags, others, like I do, refer to them as Depth Gauges. Whatever you technically want to call them. Some people abuse them, some confuse them, and some just don't realize how they work and what they do for you.
I often hear, "they are to be left alone". "Don't mess with them." Others say to, "take them down first thing on a new chain." Most common exchange of thought is, "you really don't have to do anything with them. They will wear down as you use the chain."
In answer, first I would recommend. if you don't understand them leave them alone but, take them and the rest of the chain, to a professional shop for sharpening and depth gauge settings.
You have to adjust them. Look at the chain tooth. The top plate area, as you file it back, goes downward toward the end of the top plate. As you file the cutting surface of the tooth back, the depth gauge will grow. Maybe not grow, but stick up past the tooth point. The results, you will either have to set them properly or you will have to apply so much pressure to the saw to get it to cut, it will be dangerous for the saw, saw chain, guide bar and You.
Taking the depth gauges down on a new chain or at any point of the chain life, below manufacturer's specs is not a good idea. Check the specifications on your saw chain and make sure you use proper tools to maintain the settings as close as possible. With hand tools it's hard to keep everything perfect, but dropping them too much below design can mean a lot of grabbing, chatter and possibly loss of control.
Well, finally the last statement is somewhat true. They will possibly wear down a little on their own in abrasive conditions. Nevertheless, under normal cutting of wood, not rocks, etc., the hardened surface of the depth gauge is not likely to wear very much. At least not wear to the tune of an exact thousands of an inch.
Proper Depth Gauge checks and adjustments during the filing/sharpening process are as important as having two-cycle oil in your fuel mix. You can cause a lot of damage taking them for granted.
That is a good point, Lee.
Yes you have to file down the depth gauges. I have a special little file for that, looks like a regular, little file but it has no teeth on the edges.
About every third time I sharpen the chain I take a little off of the depth gauges.
"Leave them alone."
Not good advice, as you said, the saw won't cut properly if you don't file down those depth gauges.
I have some chains that are too long from use. The teeth are fine with plenty of life remaining.
Can links be removed to shorten the chain? If you do take out links do you have to worry about the drive teeth spacing?
Both saws are Stihl one a 036 PRO and the other a 021.
Once again, I think this post has gotten off topic. Let's help bpost with his question, shall we? I've given my opinion, that is to NOT remove links. Chains are cheap. What does everyone else say?
quote:Originally posted by bpost
I have some chains that are too long from use. The teeth are fine with plenty of life remaining.
Can links be removed to shorten the chain? If you do take out links do you have to worry about the drive teeth spacing?
Both saws are Stihl one a 036 PRO and the other a 021.
Once again, I think this post has gotten off topic. Let's help bpost with his question, shall we? I've given my opinion, that is to NOT remove links. Chains are cheap. What does everyone else say?
I belive the majority have warned about NOT doing it. A few have supported it, and I imagine from Bruce's silence, he is gonna shorten the chains.
It is his saw and his body parts. He is gonna do whatever he chooses to.
quote:Originally posted by Navybat
quote:Originally posted by bpost
I have some chains that are too long from use. The teeth are fine with plenty of life remaining.
Can links be removed to shorten the chain? If you do take out links do you have to worry about the drive teeth spacing?
Both saws are Stihl one a 036 PRO and the other a 021.
Once again, I think this post has gotten off topic. Let's help bpost with his question, shall we? I've given my opinion, that is to NOT remove links. Chains are cheap. What does everyone else say?
I belive the majority have warned about NOT doing it. A few have supported it, and I imagine from Bruce's silence, he is gonna shorten the chains.
It is his saw and his body parts. He is gonna do whatever he chooses to.
I don't think it ever got off topic did it?[?][?]
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
quote:Originally posted by freemind
quote:Originally posted by Navybat
quote:Originally posted by bpost
I have some chains that are too long from use. The teeth are fine with plenty of life remaining.
Can links be removed to shorten the chain? If you do take out links do you have to worry about the drive teeth spacing?
Both saws are Stihl one a 036 PRO and the other a 021.
Once again, I think this post has gotten off topic. Let's help bpost with his question, shall we? I've given my opinion, that is to NOT remove links. Chains are cheap. What does everyone else say?
I belive the majority have warned about NOT doing it. A few have supported it, and I imagine from Bruce's silence, he is gonna shorten the chains.
It is his saw and his body parts. He is gonna do whatever he chooses to.
I don't think it ever got off topic did it?[?][?]
Yes and no..
No, it is still a discussion about saws and maintenance. However, the discussion has wandered from the specific question of shortening a streched chain.
Nothing around here EVER says 100% to the topic. [:D]