If you’re like most homeowners, you’re no stranger to using a chainsaw. Chainsaws can break down from time to time due to a number of reasons, the most common being a pinched chainsaw bar.
A pinched bar means that the chain has become bent or twisted and is no longer able to move freely on the bar, making it difficult to use. While this may be frustrating, it can easily be fixed by doing a few simple steps.
Here’s how you can fix a pinched chainsaw bar:
Step 1: Inspect the Bar and Chain for Damage
The first step in fixing a pinched chainsaw bar is to inspect the bar and chain to understand how much damage has been done. Check for any areas where the bar or chain is bent or twisted to see if there is any damage that needs to be repaired before moving forward.
Make sure to look for any signs of wear and tear such as cracks or dents in the metal of the bar or links in the chain.
If there are any signs of damage, then it’s best to replace the whole assembly rather than try to repair it.
Step 2: Re-align the Chainsaw Bar
Once you’ve inspected the chainsaw bar and replaced any broken parts, it’s time to re-align it. To do this, start by loosening the tension screws on either side of the blade. Your tension screws might be placed in different areas, so make sure to check your manual for guidance on how to do this.
Once the tension screws are loosened, you can gently move the blade back into place and then tighten them up again.
It is important that you do not force it as this could cause further damage.
Step 3: Adjust the Tensioner
The tensioner on your chainsaw is responsible for keeping your chain tight around your bar so that it can move freely without becoming pinched or bent. To adjust your tensioner, first make sure that your chainsaw is off and unplugged before attempting this step.
Then, use a wrench or screwdriver (depending on what kind of tensioner your chainsaw has) to loosen up the tensioner nut until you feel some slack in the chain.
From there, tighten it back up until you feel resistance but not too much pressure – this should be enough to ensure that your chain moves freely around your bar without getting caught on anything.
Step 4: Check Your Chain’s Alignment
Once you’ve adjusted your tensioner correctly, check that your chain’s alignment is correct by looking at where each link connects with its neighbor link in relation to its position on the blade teeth.
It should be perfectly aligned so that all of these connections are flush along both sides of the blade teeth. If they’re not, then you’ll need to adjust them manually until they are properly aligned again before proceeding with using your chainsaw again.
Step 5: Sharpen the Chain
After re-aligning the chainsaw bar, it’s important to sharpen the chain so that it is cutting efficiently again. To do this, first make sure your chain is properly lubricated, and then use a square chainsaw file or grinder to sharpen each individual tooth of the chain until they are all sharpened evenly.
Once you’ve finished sharpening each tooth, run your hands along both sides of the chain to check for any burrs or irregularities in its shape – if there are any burrs left behind from filing or grinding them off should remove them using a stone or file before continuing on with your project.
Final Thoughts
Fixing a pinched chainsaw bar doesn’t have to be a difficult or time-consuming process. By following the steps above, you can quickly and easily get your chainsaw back up and running in no time.
By following these simple steps – inspecting for damage, adjusting the tensioner correctly, and checking for proper alignment – you can ensure that your chainsaw is working at its full potential and that you can continue to enjoy using it for all of your projects.
Remember to always be safe when working with power tools like a chainsaw as even minor errors can lead to serious injuries if not handled properly.
