Odd number of cutters/two in a row same side, is this OK?

[colsmith]

Long time user, first time sharpener.

We have a 14" 2.5hp Craftsman electric chainsaw (and are in the market for something bigger, butthat is another post.)

I have just tried my hand at sharpening the chain. It has an anti-kickback chain. As I sharpened my way around the chain I found that there were 2 cutters on the same side in a row. (see pictures.)

Is this normal? I checked the number of cutting links, there is an even number on one side, andan odd number on the other side.

The saw seems to cut straight, I am just a little confused.

-Jim (hubby)

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I've seen it before. I don't think it hurts anything, but I'm new at this sort of thing. I was speaking to a local dealer and he mentioned rolls of chain. I guess they cut it off and join the ends together. Maybe that is the spot where they joined them together?

Matt

 

[BrotherBart]

It has been that way on every chain I ever owned. A bunch of'em. That is how I keep up with where I am when I am sharpening the chain.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I keep a black sharpie with my files and color a tooth black so I can keep track.

Matt

 

[Harley]

I'm not sure I've ever seen a chain without the "double"

 

[Bones]

My guess would be it is due to the length of chain.

 

[DiscoInferno]

The 3/8" pitch chains for my 16" bar have 60 links in the usual every-other pattern, so 15 teeth per side, and no doubles. But for a different bar length or chain pitch you may find that you have to allocate an odd number of teeth, requiring a double. So I guess about half the chains out there probably have doubles. First I'd thought about it.

 

[Eric Johnson]

Doesn't matter. Like BB says, that's one good way to keep track of where you're at with your sharpening. When you get a chain that doesn't have that, you miss it.