Cleaning chains

[Eddy_t]

I have found that cutting ash or oak leaves deposits on top of the cutters, but not to the extent that Normandy describes. If it's excessive then you need to assess your sharpening, this could be anything from the chrome left when sharpening sitting slightly upward, depth gauge (take it down to .30 as opposed to .25), filing angle (25 deg in hardwoods) and any chips or dings on the cutter. Also turn the oiler to full!

[thetoolnut]

I've soaked mine in petrol or diesel overnight then cleaned them with a wire brush wheel on a bench grinder. Often times the chains aren't that dull it's just that there caked in sap and resin. A bit more work but less time spent sharpening is always good. Not a job for a week night of course, nothing like a Saturday evening sharpening chains in the workshop!

[skyhuck]

The build up when cutting Ash is due to low water content, so it's not sap. You can get it also when cutting seasoned wood. I've never had it cutting green Oak.

 

I've only ever had it near the back of the cutters, if they are sharp it should not really affect cutting and simply making a few goods through green timber other than Ash should bing the chain back clean and shinny.

[Tommywommy]

No one needs to tell me twice not to bother cleaning anything ! Not a pro like everyone else on here just a dumb farmer tidying up overgrown hedges and trees at home . Thanks for the helpful comments ;-)

[CJM]

I'd rather spend my time having a pint in the pub when I'm finished than clean a chain I've never heard anything so daft, don't mean to cause offence but this is ridiculous. It's like saying I stop and clean my tyres on my car when i go through a dirty puddle because they won't perform to their full potential