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When it comes to getting the perfect amount of tension in your chainsaw chain, there are some basic rules you need to follow. This includes knowing how much tension you want to use, what type of saw you’re running, and how long the chain is.
There’s a very specific ” zone” that exists between too loose and too tight, and we’ll show you exactly where it is.
Testing Tension
The best way to check your chain tension is to measure it. You can use a dial gauge or simply look at the number stamped into the side of your chain. In either case, make sure you know the exact measurement, because you don’t want to accidentally overdo it.
To find the correct amount of tension, start with the loosest setting on your saw, and work up towards the tighter settings. Once you reach the setting you want, you can stop measuring and go ahead and tighten it down.
The Snap Test
The best way to find out how much slack is in your chain is to try pulling it apart. If it pulls easily, then there isn’t enough tension in your chain.
You’ll want to adjust the length of your chain accordingly. If you pull the chain away, and it just goes limply, then the chain is too loose. In this case, you’ll want to tighten up the adjustment screw on your derailleur.
Pull Test
The pull test is useful because it gives you a good idea of how much force is needed to move the chain out of the way of the derailleur cage. If the chain is loose enough, it won’t budge even though you’re pulling hard.
But if there’s too much friction, it’ll take some serious effort to get the chain moving.
To do the test, follow the steps above, but don’t let go of the chain until you’ve pulled the chain about half-way off the derailleur cage, and the chain is still attached to the rear wheel. Then slowly release the tension on the chain, and watch the chain fall into place.
If it doesn’t happen easily, you probably need to adjust the position of the pulley, or tighten up the bolts holding the chainring to the frame.
Tightening
Overall, this is a pretty straightforward process. You’re just tightening the chain around the blade. However, there are some important points to keep in mind. First, make sure you’ve got the right size saw for the job. A small chain on a large saw might cause problems.
Next, don’t overdo it. If you tighten too much, you could strip the teeth off the chain. Finally, be careful not to damage the chain itself.
There are many different types of chainsaws (see also ‘EGO Chainsaw Review‘) out there, and they all use slightly different methods to secure the chain so be sure to check the manual you received when you purchased the chainsaw for guidance. This guide will help you figure out how to properly tighten the chain on your saw (see also ‘How To Fold A Bandsaw Blade‘).
Step 1: Find The Tension Screw
The tension screw is located near the bottom of the handle.
This is where you want to start. Take note of what part number matches up with the model of your chainsaw. There should be little holes in the middle of the screw and that’s where you want to put the wrench.
Step 2: Use The Right Tool
You’ll need to ensure you use the right tools for tightening your chainsaw. These are used to adjust the chain tension, which determines how much force it takes to push the saw forward.
If there’s too little tension, the blade won’t cut hard enough; if there’s too much, it could cause damage to the motor.
The best way to determine what type of tool you need is to look at the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific model. Some models use a screwdriver-like tool, while others use a wrench.
If your chainsaw has a “built-in easy-tension” mechanism in which case then you probably don’t need a separate tool. Instead, just loosen the tension knob slightly, run the chainsaw without cutting anything, tighten the knob again, and you’re done.
If you don’t already have one, grab yourself a pair of pliers. They come in handy for lots of jobs, including loosening and tightening screws. Now, take the wrench and place it into the hole in the tension screw. Try to turn the screw clockwise. Don’t force it; let it go slowly. Once you feel resistance, stop turning.
Step 3: Tighten The Chain
The next step is to adjust your chain length. You don’t want to use too much slack, because it makes things harder for you down the road. Too tight, though, and you could risk damaging your chainring teeth.
To check how much slack there is between each tooth, hold the nose of your guide bar in one hand, and rotate the tension screw with the opposite hand. As you twist the tension screw, the drive links of your chains should disappear into the guide bar.
When they reach the end of the bar, the chain should be snug against the teeth of your front ring. If it isn’t, add some more slack to make sure it fits properly.
If you’ve got the right amount of slack, you’ll feel the chain move slightly as you spin the tension screw. This indicates that you’ve tightened enough. At this point, you can test your chain by spinning the tension screw while holding a bike stand.
If the chain doesn’t move, you’ve gone too far. Back off a few turns and try again.
Conclusion
How tight a chainsaw should be depends on many factors, but the general rule is to keep the chain tight enough so that it doesn’t slip off the front derailleur when you’re riding uphill or downhill.
