Chain etc. maintenance - a must.....

[Rob D]

Here's a couple of good links for chain sharpening and what have you. I still find I'm learning stuff about sharpening chains and correct maintenace after 8 years!

 

Loads of info there and will save so much time and energy in the long run.

 

Guide Bar & Saw Chain Menu

 

OREGON®: Maintenance manual

 

For instance you're really supposed to change the drive rim/sprocket after every 2 chains. Otherwise it can damage the drive links so when you put a new bar on the damaged links will widen the bar groove causing a sloppy chain. If you're spending all that cash on a new bar and chain then get a new sprocket as well.

 

But how many of us do this? I haven't been - the sprocket pretty much stays the same through the saws life - but not anymore!!

 

Also looking at chain sharpening. Beaks - if you undercut the top plate too much the chain will be sharp but as the cutting edge is not supported will blunt very quickly.

 

Depth guages - if you haven't got consistant depth guages the teeth with lower depth guages will hit the wood harder and will blunt quickly thereby causing drag on the chain.

 

 

All in all the more you look at how a chainsaw cuts the more you see it as a precision instrument.