Any one know about chainsaws? My craftsman doesnt throw chunks. It cut good for the first cut (after sharpen
Question:I took the chain off and had it sharpened after I purchaced it (used). It runs good but after the first cut it dulls itself and it never really throws the chunks that I am used to. The shop said the chain looked good. The RPMs seem ok. And yes the chain is on the correct direction. I checked it with a electric pole saw I just bought to make sure. Any clues?
Answers:
Aside from the other answers shown here, consider this:
WHERE is the chain, LITERALLY -where is it- when it gets dull? If the chain even TOUCHES the dirt after or during a cut, it can dull instantly. Reason: stones in the dirt -even tiny stones. You'd think that the tough chain would just whip through them, which is does, but it also strikes them and they nick the teeth on the chain. And the chain is moving so fast, most or all of them are affected. They don't LOOK dull, because some portions of each tooth are still sharp. But, under a scope, you'd see ragged edges there instead of a nice curved blade appearance. And that makes the chain run hotter, which make it dull even more. If there is not enough oil hitting the chain, it gets even worse.
If you are cutting a tree, and cut too close to the ground this can happen. If you are cutting felled timber lying ON the ground, this can be a problem. Thus, always be sure to NOT contact the ground.
Here's another possibility, rare, but it happens: is the blade straight? I mean REALLY straight? If it got mashed in a tree (fell wrong way -onto the blade) it can be slightly misaligned, and the groove the chain runs in can also be pinched nearly shut in one place or another. Thus, the angle of attack -teeth to wood- can dull a chain sooner.
The type of chain matters as well. One kind is a "safety" chain that presumably helps avoid kick-back. The other kind is much more aggressive.
Try this test: With a freshly sharpened chain, saw at a straight 90 degree angle (that is, staright up and down) into a log that is level and held off the ground. Is the oiler working? Does the chain want to go through at an angle or off to one side or the other? If the oiler isn't working, that's a problem. If the saw wants to go left or right, that's a problem. Note your problems, take the saw in with your notes and request a fix.
The teeth on a saw chain are tempered to help them retain a sharp edge. If the chain is heated excessively later, the teeth will loose their temper and will not retain a sharp edge very long. It sounds like this has happened to the chain you have and a new one is in order.
The heat required to remove the temper can be created if the chain is overworked by placing too much downward pressure when sawing. Lack of oil to the blade while cutting either because the saw is out of chain oil or the oiler is plugged will also cause the problem. Perhaps the previous owner ran out of oil or had a problem. The most likely cause is improper sharpening with a power sharpener of some sort. The tools that fit on a power drill are bad for this, if you try to sharpen too fast it will really heat up. It can happen with a bench sharpener as well if you try to sharpen too fast. The shop that sharpened it for you could have done it.
I would try a new chain. Take care of it, use an experienced shop for sharpening and that problem should be taken care of.
Buy new chain and if that doesnt work go buy a Stihl
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