Just like every other power-tool, you may encounter some trouble with a chainsaw. There could be times when there is trouble with the bar, power-line, chain and the list goes on.
It does not come as a surprise that you are here trying to learn how to put a chain on a chainsaw because one of the most frequent setbacks when it comes to a chainsaw is the falling of the chain from the bar or the chain needing a replacement due to being worn out with time.
No matter what the reason is, we have a very quick solution to your problem. If you are uncertain about the fact that “can you do it yourself?”
We understand your concern because the truth is not all equipment can be fixed at home, sometimes you have to reach out to the manufacturer or look for a professional’s help.
However, when it comes to placing a chain back on the bar, we are glad to inform you that the problem can be fixed by yourself with just a little guidance.
In this guide you will learn all there is need to learn about how to put a chain on a chainsaw like a professional!
This guide is not only easy to follow, you will also learn a few other things about why a chain falls off or needs a replacement in the first place. Let’s begin, shall we?
Table of Contents [hide]
- Reasons a Chain Falls Off or Needs a Replacement
- Prepping for the Solution
- Step-to-Step Guide: How to Put a Chain on a Chainsaw
Reasons a Chain Falls Off or Needs a Replacement
Before we dive into the step-to-step guide on how to put a chain on a chainsaw. We think it’s important for you to know why a chain falls off or needs a replacement in the first place.
You need to know the reasons because once you learn the reasoning behind it you will be able to avoid the chain falling off or needing a replacement.
- The screws holding the chain are loose or have become unusable.
- The chain isn’t tightened before you use your chainsaw.
- Overheating has caused the length of the chain to expand and pop out.
- A wood piece has jammed the chainsaw and the chain loosens up.
- The chain has worn out with time.
These are some of the possible reasons why the chain might fall off or might need a replacement. Keeping these points in mind, you can avoid a situation where the chain falls off and when it comes to a replacement chain you would know when it’s due.
No matter what the reason behind the chain falling off from the bar, you can easily learn how to put a chain on a chainsaw from this very simple guide.
Prepping for the Solution
We did say it is easy to put a chain on a chainsaw. But we didn’t mention that you need to prepare yourself before you start the process. It is important to prepare yourself because it needs to be done the right way.
Below are some prepping points before you start performing the fix to the problem
- Wearing protective gear is imperative because the bar of the chainsaw is very sharp. You will have to wear protective gloves and a full-sleeved shirt for protective measures.
- Finding a safe and spacious space because the fixing of the chain requires disassembling a few parts of the chainsaw and you wouldn’t want to lose them when you have to assemble the chainsaw back.
- To further ensure the part doesn’t get lost and found in time, you can place a newspaper near you and place all the disassembled parts on it.
- Making sure the chainsaw is switched-off and the safety-case is locked in place.
- You will need a drift, hammer, and a ½ inch wrench.
- You will also need a brush and oil for greasing.
Step-to-Step Guide: How to Put a Chain on a Chainsaw
We have divided the process into five simple steps for you to follow. You should follow the steps in the chronological order given below to ensure the chain is put back in the right way.
Keep in mind that a chainsaw is a power-tool and quite possibly be injurious which is why to make sure you follow the step properly and to avoid any setbacks or unfortunate incidents.
Step 1: Cleaning the Chainsaw
The first step involves some cleaning, the bar, and the saw needs to be cleaned before we start disassembling the chainsaw. The reason we have to clean the chainsaw is that there might be some debris or wood remains.
With the help of the brush, you can whisk away all the remnants quickly and make sure there aren’t any remnants left.
Step 2: Disassembling the Parts
This is one of the trickiest steps and needs to be performed with patience and attentiveness. Assuming you have the chainsaw laying on a flat surface, with the help of the ½ inch wrench you have to start unscrewing the bolts that are holding the bar together.
Both the lower and uppers bolts will be unscrewed which you can find at the end of the chainsaw. By using the slotted end of the wrench, you can loosen the tension screw for relieving the bar tension.
Once you’re finished unscrewing the bolts, remove them from the bar along with the plastic housing of the saw. Place the removed bolts safely on the newspaper to easily find them when you have to assemble the parts again in their place.
Step 3: Positioning the Chain Accurately
While the above step was slightly tricky, this step requires your undivided attention because it is one of the most important steps. In this step, you will learn how to put a chain back on a chainsaw. You will have to make sure that when you are holding the chain, the teeth of the chain shouldn’t be facing your direction.
If the teeth are not facing your direction, it means that it is the right direction to be placed back on the bar.
The chain has to be accurately positioned around the sprocket. A sprocket is a profiled wheel with cogs or teeth that mesh with the chain.
Once you have fixed the chain on the sprocket, you will have to align it with the grooves of the bar. In this step, you will be performing two tasks. You will be wrapping the chain around the sprocket and then you will be aligning the chain with the bar’s grooves.
In the end, you will have to pull the chain and will have to adjust the tension. The adjustment of the tension depends on your requirements or preferences. When you are done with that, you should tighten the screen for securing tension based on your needs.
Step 4: Assembling the Parts Back in Place
Now that you have fixed the chain successfully, you will have to screw back the bolts you had unscrewed. Make sure that when you are screwing back the bar in place it is aligned properly.
Once, you have got that right you should check the tension one last time before you screw back the bolts in the desired place.
Step 5: Testing the Functionality
We are finally at the last step. In this step, you will have to test if the chain is working accurately. Start the chainsaw following all the precautionary steps, the most important one being in your protective gear.
Use the chainsaw on a piece of wood to see if it is working properly. If you think it is not working the way it is supposed to, that means you will have to readjust the tension. However, if you think the chainsaw is working perfectly you can start using it for the task you want to use it for.
Conclusion:
Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to put a chain back on a chainsaw. The steps mentioned above are very easy and we hope that you found them easy to follow as well. Putting back a chain on a chainsaw can be done at home, once you learn how to do it and you won’t need the help of a professional.
We have already mentioned in this guide that to make sure the chain doesn’t fall off or wear out, you should take some time out for the maintenance of the overall chainsaw.
The maintenance of the overall chainsaw will prevent any setbacks, will increase the lifespan of this power-tool, and will last you a lifetime.
Just make sure that before you begin to start using a chainsaw, always use it with protective gear on at all times because you don’t want to injure yourself. We hope that this simple and easy to read guide was helpful and that you were able to learn how to put a chain back on a chainsaw.
