Chain Tension

[av117]

So i was watching the 30 minute carve-fest at APF on saturday, and i noticed that a lot of the carvers seemed to have ultra-low tension on their carving bar chains - 1/2" gap between chain and bottom of bar easily.

 

Not being a carver myself it seemed really odd... Could anyone enlighten me if there would be a reason for it?

[jrose]

I don't use a carving bar myself, but a lot of carvers I know run their chains looser than normal - carving bars have a solid nose, no sprocket. So I think this is done to help keep the bar from getting too hot...

 

cheers,

Joe

[Tom2020]

So i was watching the 30 minute carve-fest at APF on saturday, and i noticed that a lot of the carvers seemed to have ultra-low tension on their carving bar chains - 1/2" gap between chain and bottom of bar easily.

 

Not being a carver myself it seemed really odd... Could anyone enlighten me if there would be a reason for it?

 

And me i noticed it as well... Nearly made a tit of my self By saying Hey m8 your chains a bit slack Glad i dident now

[Steve Bullman]

i think it is something to do with the heat aswell. i did look into this a long time ago but i forget the answer. you need to adjust your idle though to stop the chain running over

[av117]

Thanks for the replies folks - all makes more sense now

 

I was amazed at the skill the carvers had - anyone who saw the hummingbird up close will know what i mean!

[john dawson]

You are all about right!

 

The idea is there is no sprocket in the nose of carving bars, and coupled with the tight radius means it gets very hot very quickly! it basicaly works the same as a regular hard-nose bar (stihl duromatic) but its just more "pronounced"

 

(that was a big word!!)

[ronnyrocket]

Actually, the chain has to be loose enough for the cutting edge of the tooth to rock and pivot on the adjoining link. That is crucial in allowing the leading edge of the tooth to bite and penetrate into the wood. The trailing link then assures a cleaning out of the debris. However, after the chain and bar heat up significantly additional slack will be created from heat expansion. Thus, creating the impression that the operator forgot to adjust the chain tension properly.