Here are some signs that it's time to replace your chainsaw blade

Understanding chainsaw blade

Here are some signs that it's time to replace your chainsaw blade

A chainsaw bar has to handle a lot of heat and friction due to the chain spinning around it. Eventually, there comes a point when the bar of your chainsaw gets worn out and it stops working properly. But the bars are made with tough materials and it can be difficult to know when it is time to replace the bar of a chainsaw. Not to mention it can be hard to tell a worn-out bar apart from a good one at a glance. So what are some telltale signs which indicate that it is time to replace your chainsaw bar?

Sign 1: Damaged or Bent bar

This is the most obvious sign of a worn-out bar and it is also the first step in finding out whether you need a new bar or not. Now to do a proper visual inspection of your chainsaw bar, you will have to take the bar out and remove the chain swell. A damaged bar cannot only reduce the efficiency and cutting power of your chainsaw but it can also be dangerous to use. A bar can get damaged due to a variety of reasons including a loose chain or lack of lubrication. If the bar is missing a chunk or there is a broken rail edge then it is an obvious sign that you will have to replace the bar immediately. You can find Chainsaw bars here. But other than this obvious sign here are some types of damages you need to look for in a chainsaw bar after removing the bar from chainsaw:

Cracks in the rails of the bar:

Look along the rails of your chainsaw bar for any cuts or cracks. Pay close attention to the middle of the bar when looking for cracks. In case you notice any cracks in the chainsaw bar it is time to get a new bar, period. You can find Chainsaw bars here. Apart from cracks, if the bar has some pointy edges, file them down so that they don’t cause the chain to get caught in them while the chainsaw is running.  

Bent bar:

A bent bar is something even experienced chainsaw users can face occasionally. Although chainsaw bars are solid and don’t bend easily there is always a chance that a bar might get bent under certain circumstances or heavy load. To be certain whether your chainsaw bar is bent or not you can perform this simple test:

Check the chain: With the bar removed from the chainsaw and chain took off, hold the chainsaw at your eye level and look straight along the groves of the bar.

Bends:

Look for any bends on both sides of the bar.

If you find any minor bends in the chainsaw bar they can be easily fixed by hitting the bent area with a rubber mallet. But if the bar has been bent too much, the only solution is to replace the bar altogether. 

Pinched grooves/Rails:

A pinched area on the chainsaw bar means that the rails in this area are going to be narrower than the rest of the bar. A pinch in the rails is going to cause excess friction with the chain because there is simply not enough room for the chain to move freely between the rails at this pinched spot. Not to mention a pinch in the rails can even cause the bar to heat up excessively or the chain may get stuck in the pinch. Luckily a pinch is easily repairable and you can use a screwdriver with a flat head to open up the pinch so that it matches the normal thickness of the bar rails. 

Sign 2: Chain wiggles from side to side on the bar

We're not talking about a loose chain here, because a chain is loose when it hangs on the bottom and isn't firmly against the bar. If your chain is swinging between the grooves of the bar, you will find it difficult to get a clean cut because the chain will not be able to stay in the same position to provide a straight cut. You can do a simple test to confirm if the chain is swinging on the bar, here's how to perform the test:

Check the chain: Before starting the test make sure that the chain is not worn or loose because a worn-out chain can also cause itself to move left and right between the grooves.

Apply tension to the chain so that it sits snuggly between the grooves of the bar.

Try to move the chain from left to right to see if the wiggle of the chain is noticeable or not.

If the chain is moving left and right a lot then it is a clear sign that the grooves of the bar have widened up significantly compared to their normal gap. If you try to use a bar with widened up grooves you are not going to be able to cut properly no matter how sharp or new the chain is. Some shops do offer the service to fix the gap between the grooves of the chainsaw but it is always best to replace the bar if the chain is wiggling excessively on a bar.

About chainsaw blade:

Qirui Tools is a professional manufacturer of chainsaw guide bars and chainsaw chains. With decades of experience, products are exported to dozens of countries and regions. Welcome new and old customers to contact us by email, we will provide the best service And the affordable price, thank you.

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