Dulling Chain

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SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

New Member
Apr 8, 2012
50
SE TN
Okay, I'll be the first to admit that my saw is not exactly top of the line and the fact that I am still a novice with it but I'm having a problem with my saw. I have a Poulan Pro model PP4218AVX. The problem is that I am dulling the chain almost immediately after starting to cut. When I say immediately, I mean after about the 4th cut into white oak that's about 14" in diameter I am really having to work the saw to get through the cut. I have replaced 2 chains and the same thing happened both times. Can you more experienced guys give me some ideas as to what is going on here. I have a full reservoir of bar oil and it does seem to be oiling the chain. I just don't know what is happening.
 
Is the wood your cutting dirty? Dirt embedded into the bark will dull a chain pretty quick. Also are you cutting all the way through the log or 95% of the way through it and rolling it over to finish the cut?

Moral of the story, keep it out of the dirt! ;)
 
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Dirt will kill a chain... Do you sharpen yourself or have them sharpened? And how are they sharpened? (File/Grinder)
 
My money would be on the dirt too. I was guilty of this when I started cutting. Hitting a rock is even worse. Once I see the sparks from hitting a rock I know the saw isn't goign to do much more than make a bunch of termite frass!

The other thing I did more than I like to admit when I started cutting was not paying attention to my chain tension. Throwing a chain is a real PITA.
 
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Beetle-Kill said:
Southern Breeze, what type of chain are you using?
Click to expand...

Both chains were brand new Oregon chains. They were straight from the packaging and never been resharpened. I wish I could say that I didn't hit dirt. I thought I was being careful not to do that but I can't say that with 100% certainty. I guess I'll give it another try on some downed and stacked logs that are off the ground and I'm sure there will be no dirt to hit on those.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
This may sound simple, but are the chains being put on backward?
My first attempt at changing a chain had me scratching my head for a minute until I thought about it for a minute.
I bet a lot of guys here have done that, although some might not admit it.:p
 
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PapaDave said:
This may sound simple, but are the chains being put on backward?
My first attempt at changing a chain had me scratching my head for a minute until I thought about it for a minute.
I bet a lot of guys here have done that, although some might not admit it.:p
Click to expand...

I had the same thought but, no, I'm sure the chain was on correctly. Like I said, it cut fine for the first few cuts then went dull. It may be that it did get into some dirt. If not that, I'm sure it's going to be something else really simple that I'll be embarrassed to admit later ;em.
 
SouthernBreeze said:
I had the same thought but, no, I'm sure the chain was on correctly. Like I said, it cut fine for the first few cuts then went dull. It may be that it did get into some dirt. If not that, I'm sure it's going to be something else really simple that I'll be embarrassed to admit later ;em.
Click to expand...

The surprising thing is that you don't need to touch dirt or rock for more than an instant...literally. The slightest contact will dull and/or ruin a chain. At first, I thought that quick reaction to such contact would prevent damage, but no, once the chain has made contact, it's toast.

Oh, one other tidbit learned (the hard way): I cut more than half way through a log, then rolled it over to cut from the other side, to complete the cut. Guess what? When rolling it over, a small pebble got lodged in the first cut. As I made the second cut, I got sparks and another chance to practice chain sharpening!
 
Did you fell the trees? Is there a chance that they were skidded? I have found that skidded logs pick up dirt & smooth out sharp chains at about the rate you mentioned.
 
If the chain came right out of the package and was cutting fine at first and then suddenly seemed a lot duller . . . it means, as others have said, you hit the dirt, rock or metal embedded in the wood. Whenever a chain goes from making nice wood chips to fine grains of saw dust you know the chain is dull.
 
I have the same saw as you. So I can say it cuts really well with a sharp chain. But like others have said, just a nano second into some dirt will turn your cutting beast into a butter knife.
 
What size chain you running? What size Oak?
 
MasterMech said:
;lol I know where you're going with this Jay but I'm pretty sure he's not playing in your league! ;)
Click to expand...

I get rolling some time with that 192t with the tiny picco chain in oak. It will kinda stick or clug the gullet. More so if green! Wonder if a little pam might help? ;) In other words his saw is clogging up enough to coat the gullet not dull but clogged. Clean saw more often and pay close attion to bar sprocet cover air filter. :)
 
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Could something on the sprocket cover be rubbing the chain?

I do have the same problem as smokinj with my heavy bandsaw blades. Pitch will make the sharpest blade cut like it's dull.
 
Joful said:
Could something on the sprocket cover be rubbing the chain?

I do have the same problem as smokinj with my heavy bandsaw blades. Pitch will make the sharpest blade cut like it's dull.
Click to expand...
Kinda what happens, throwing a fresh chain on a dirty saw is the chip clearance is getting bog down. This will cause the chips to stick to the gullet. Blow them out daily if you can!
 
smokinj said:
Kinda what happens, throwing a fresh chain on a dirty saw is the chip clearance is getting bog down. This will cause the chips to stick to the gullet. Blow them out daily if you can!
Click to expand...

Yep, that does seem to be one of my problems. The bar oil and chips combined to make a nice little sticky mess inside the bar sproket cover. I've got that all cleaned out now and will be sure to not touch dirt. I'll give that a whirl this weekend to see how she performs.

Thanks for all the advice. I learn more here almost every day.:cool:
 
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Not to ask a really dumb question here, but are the cutters dull by eye & touch? If so , how dull or rolled over are the working angles of the cutters. This will give an insight into what's dulling the chain. A C
 
Also, now that you've got yourself a pile of dull chains... have you considered how you're going to sharpen them? Awful expensive to keep buying new chains everytime one goes dull.
 
Joful said:
Also, now that you've got yourself a pile of dull chains... have you considered how you're going to sharpen them? Awful expensive to keep buying new chains everytime one goes dull.
Click to expand...

Thinking about it but no, I haven't decided. Since I'm new to all of this, I have never sharpened a chain. There is a local shop that sharpens chains but I've always liked doing things myself. I suppose I will try to learn as much as possible and try it myself a time or two to get a feel for it. In the meantime, I'll have the local shop sharpen a couple until I can get up to speed on doing this myself.
 
Files are pretty cheap.... Get a 3/16 round file (assuming that the Poulan is running .325 chain) and a file guide to start you out. Keep the file level and hold at a 30° (perpendicular to bar). Only moving the file in one direction (away from cutter). Do the cutters on one side of bar, then turn, and repeat.

I hated to hand file and now I prefer to hand file.
 
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Is it pulling big chips at first? I have had much better luck with Stihl chains staying sharp myself. Your not running a safety chain are you?
 
If you know what to look for, it should be obvious whether or not you're dulling your chain. Do you know anyone with more experience who could take a look and let you know? Like most everyone else, I assume you're hitting dirt or some other hard, foreign object(s) without realizing it. Keeping the chain out of trouble is one of those acquired skills that seem so obvious later...but never at first.
 
Well, I put on a new chain and cleaned everything out under the sprocket cover. Ran the saw for about 30 minutes cutting white oak logs and making sure not to get into any dirt. Everything worked really well. Nice chips coming out rather than dust like before and still cutting nicely.

Thanks for all the input and advice. Now, I've got no more excuses for not getting those 10 other trees c/s/s ;).
 
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