How do I stop my chainsaw chain from stretching?

The most important factor in preventing chain stretch is lubrication. If roller chains are poorly lubricated, stretching will take place very quickly. When a chain has elongated 3\% of its original length, it must be replaced.

Why does my chainsaw chain keep loosening?

Chain Not Set Properly One of the most common reasons why your chain might be coming loose is because it was not set properly. When you go through the steps to tension your chain, you need to finish those steps by setting the tension so it won’t change as you work your saw.

Does a chainsaw chain stretch?

Chainsaw chains stretch and become loose during operation. Chainsaw chains stretch during normal operation and begin to sag on a saw’s guide bar. If a chainsaw chain is allowed to become too loose, it can easily come off the bar during operation and create an unsafe situation for the user.

What causes chain elongation?

Its elongation is caused when material is removed from the pins and bushings. The individual joints in a roller chain articulate as they enter and leave the sprockets. This articulation results in wear on the pins and bushings. As material is worn away from these surfaces, the chain will gradually elongate.

Why won’t my chainsaw chain tighten?

If you can’t tighten the chain, you may not be implementing the proper tightening procedure. To adjust the chain, loosen the nuts that hold the guide bar in place. Attempting to turn the tension screw without loosening the nuts first may be the reason you can’t tighten the chain.

Why won’t my chain stay tight on my chainsaw?

Turn the tension control screw to the right to tighten the chain and to the left to loosen it. Attempting to turn the tension screw without loosening the nuts first may be the reason you can’t tighten the chain. Tighten the nuts back into place when you have the chain properly adjusted.

Can you over tighten a chainsaw chain?

After a few hours of use, a chainsaw’s chain can loosen and begin to sag away from the bar. There is a tension screw located near the base of the bar on the chainsaw. To tighten the chain, turn it clockwise, and to loosen turn it counterclockwise. Don’t over-tighten the chain as this could cause it to break.

How long do chainsaw chains last?

The lifetime of a chainsaw chain has no fixed limit and depends on usage and maintenance. The chain should last many years; 5-6 years should be no problem. However, if the chainsaw chain is used properly and taken care of, it can last way longer.

How much chain stretch is too much?

The number most commonly agreed on for a worn chain is one percent elongation between links. In reality though, you want to replace the chain before this point. So therefore anything past 12, 1/16 inches (0.5 percent) would be the time to replace a chain.

Is there a master link in a chainsaw chain?

Locate the master link that most manufacturers install to make removal of the chain a simple process. A visual inspection of the chain will reveal the master link due to its appearance that makes it stand out slightly from the other links.

How tight should your chainsaw chain be?

The first thing you want to do is to ensure that your chainsaw has the correct amount of tension. The chain has good tension when it should still be a little loose on the chainsaw and guide bar. However, it should be tight enough so that you are not able to pull the drive links out of the bar nose.

Do chains really stretch?

Timing chains don’t actually stretch. Timing chain stretch is not actually the ‘stretching’ of the chain, it’s an elongation of the timing chain caused by wear in the chains components. The most common cause of this phenomenon is actually lack of maintenance and regular oil changes using a quality oil.

What makes a chain saw chain stretch?

Saw chain gets too hot to touch and so the metal obviously expands and becomes looser, thus the term “stretch”. In a case where the chain is still so loose it cannot be adjusted to tight enough, even when cold then that’s where the elongated holes in the tie straps/presets and even grooves in the rivets comes in to play.

Can a chain on a chain saw “stretch”?

Chainsaw chains do not technically stretch. However, the chain loop can get longer after the chain’s first use, as the chain’s rivets and links wear, or when the chain is heated causing the metal to expand. All of these conditions can make the chain longer, even though it hasn’t technically “stretched”.