How tight should a chain saw chain be?
Question:I just got my first chain saw and the book says to tighten it until it firmly contacts the guide bar. I have it so it is completely contacting the bar, but I can pull it away with my fingers (and if I let go it snaps back) Is this tight enough or should it be so tight that it can't be pulled from the guide bar? Any suggestions will be appreciated. :)
Answers:
I have used chain saws for years. I recommend tighten the chain till it will pull away from the bar just enough to separate from the bar and no more. The base of the chain should remain mostly within the bar groove. Then while wearing gloves for hand protection, and the saw is not running, you should be able to spin (move forward by hand) the chain on the bar with little resistance and without slipping the chain completely free of the bar. The chain should not droop from the bar if properly tight. I believe your description of how you are checking tightness is correct.
Also as the chain becomes worn it will develop slack which then reqires the chain to be retightened.
Remember mistakes while using chain saws can be unforgiving and serious (there is no second chance). Ensure your footing is stable and no other objects, branches, people, pets ETC. are close by while running chain saws.
There should be a LITTLE slack in the chain but not sloppy. If it's too loose it can fly off, and that's a bad thing! Good luck
It sounds like you have it about right. If you go too tight, it will cause excessive wear on the drive gear and end sprocket.
Be careful!
It should move around the unit freely, Never too loose it can throw a blade and hurt you.
If it is too tight, you will not be able to rotate by hand.
You will figure this out very quick. If too loose it will come off when using and you will tighten more next time.
They get loose all the time and you have to keep tightning.
by jove, you ahve done it.. think of it as a bicycle chain.. the rule is the same.. too loose a chain and it will be sloppy.. too tight and it won't work right.. from what you describe.. I'd say you are doing fine.. now be careful with that thing.. cut away from your self and keep it at arms lenght.. be safe
It should be 1/8 in below the bar . Check again when You add gas and bar lube .
when the chain is in place , you should see no more than three teeth on the chain , when you pull it down ,
tight is the word but not over tigth
I have heard everything from 1/4-1/2 inches to 1/2-1 inches (my thoughts are the former is better then the later). However, it is more a sense of feel. It should not be able to pull itself off the guide bar. I suggest pulling it out to hits max and wiggling it perpindicular to the guide bar. It it moves more then a quarter inch it is to loose.
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