Threw my first chain

[bryankloos]

So I threw my first chain yesterday. I knew it was loose and needed a tightening, but thought I'd get away with one quick cut to help out my father clearing some large bushes.... Fortunately I'm fine, and the saw seems fine other than a few knicks and scratches at the lower return.

The chain is pretty chewed up...

What do I need to check before putting on a new chain?

Thanks,

Bryan

 

[jb6l6gc]

I would check the drive gear. Man thats scary hopefully lesson learned.

 

[Jags]

You are probably fine. The chain usually takes most of the beating.

 

[TreePointer]

What part of the chain is "chewed up?"

Check the chain's drive links because they sometimes get dinged a bit when a chain is thrown.

1. Visually inspect for barbs on lower part of drive links (the part that rides in the bar groove).
2. Take the bar off the saw, make sure it's clean, and slowly run the chain around the bar by hand. Feel for resistance. If you feel resistance, find the damaged drive links by running smaller sections of that chain in the bar groove.
3. If you find any barbs or dings, use the flat file to file them off.

 

[lindnova]

I have the chain throw off the bar every now and then. Usually when cutting brush and having a small pinch - closer to the tip end. Usually happens even with a tight chain. I have never had it hit me and make sure the chain catcher is in good condition.

 

[Sean McGillicuddy]

So I threw my first chain yesterday. I knew it was loose and needed a tightening, but thought I'd get away with one quick cut to help out my father clearing some large bushes.... Fortunately I'm fine, and the saw seems fine other than a few knicks and scratches at the lower return.

The chain is pretty chewed up...

What do I need to check before putting on a new chain?

Thanks,

Bryan

Your shorts!

 

[DodgyNomad]

I've thrown a lot of chains over the years, usually happens near the end of the day when you're tired and in a rush to finish. I've had a few drives bent, but never been injured. Seems pretty rare to see injuries from a chain coming off.

 

[xman23]

I only had it happen once. It seamed to come off and stop or jam quickly. At the time I was thinking it I was lucky that the extra chain didn't fly toward me.

 

[Wood Wules]

I threw two different chains in one week. I don't know if there is a record for that sort of thing. Mr treepointer said to file the drivers. It seems awkward to do it by hand. Is there any other method?

 

[TreePointer]

I threw two different chains in one week. I don't know if there is a record for that sort of thing. Mr treepointer said to file the drivers. It seems awkward to do it by hand. Is there any other method?

I've never encountered more than 2 or three drive links in an entire chain loop that need to be addressed after being thrown. It's been some years since I've done it, but what I recall doing is placing the chain in a bench vise with a the bottom of a drive link or two sticking straight up out of the vise jaws.

To protect the chain from being deformed by the vise, I either used wooden bocks or Bessey nylon vise jaw inserts. It probably was wood blocks because I don't think I had the nylon inserts at the time.

 

[Jags]

It seems awkward to do it by hand. Is there any other method?

I use a sanding drum in a dremel tool. Lay the chain on the edge of a work table with the drive link pointing out and it makes for easy and fast touch up.

 

[Timberwolf530]

That's why you want to make sure your chain catcher is in good shape. That's what keeps it from flying around and hitting you. It's scary the first time it happens, but I've had it happen several times over the years, and never been hurt. It sounds much worse than it is. I would check the clutch cover, the catcher, and the chain itself. Usually those take all the damage.