Chainsaws have turn out to be an important software for householders, landscapers, and arborists alike. They’re used for quite a lot of duties, from felling timber to slicing firewood. Some of the essential features of chainsaw upkeep is preserving the chain sharp and correctly tensioned. In an effort to do that, you will need to know the way to appropriately measure the chain to your noticed.
There are just a few other ways to measure a series for a chainsaw. The most typical methodology is to make use of a tape measure or a series gauge. A tape measure can be utilized to measure the general size of the chain, whereas a series gauge can be utilized to measure the pitch of the chain.
The pitch of the chain is the gap between the drive hyperlinks. The pitch is essential as a result of it determines the scale of the sprocket that the chain will match on. Chainsaw chains are available in quite a lot of pitches, so you will need to select the right pitch to your noticed. In case you are uncertain of the right pitch to your noticed, seek the advice of your proprietor’s guide.
Measuring the Information Bar: A Very important Dimension
Measuring the information bar appropriately is essential for figuring out the suitable chain size for a chainsaw. This is the way to measure the information bar intimately:
1. **Find the Information Bar Stud Holes:** Establish the stud holes on each ends of the information bar. These holes obtain the bolts that join the bar to the chainsaw. They function the reference factors for the measurement.
2. **Measure Between Stud Holes:** Use a measuring tape or ruler to measure the gap between the facilities of the 2 stud holes. This measurement represents the size of the information bar, which is often expressed in inches. Report this size precisely.
| Instance |
|---|
| A information bar measured between stud holes is eighteen inches lengthy. |
3. **Contemplate the Drive Hyperlink Projection:** The drive hyperlink projection, or offset, refers back to the quantity of the chain that extends past the entrance of the information bar. This projection varies relying on the kind of drive hyperlink on the chain.
For semi-chisel chains, the everyday drive hyperlink projection is 0.025 inches, whereas for full-chisel chains, it is normally 0.050 inches. When figuring out the chain size, account for the drive hyperlink projection by including the suitable quantity to the measured information bar size.
Figuring out the Drive Hyperlink Depend: The Key Issue
To precisely measure a series for a chainsaw, figuring out the drive hyperlink depend is essential. It refers back to the variety of drive hyperlinks that join the cutter enamel alongside the chain’s size. This depend immediately impacts the chain’s pitch, which determines the scale and spacing of the chain’s drive sprocket and information bar. The drive hyperlink depend additionally impacts the slicing effectivity and energy consumption of the chainsaw.
Handbook Counting Methodology
To manually depend the drive hyperlinks, comply with these steps:
- Lay the chain flat on a floor.
- Begin counting from the primary drive hyperlink that engages with the drive sprocket on the noticed.
- Proceed counting till you attain the final drive hyperlink that connects with the highest of the information bar.
- Report the entire variety of drive hyperlinks counted.
Desk of Frequent Drive Hyperlink Counts
For comfort, discuss with the next desk for the commonest drive hyperlink counts used on chainsaws:
| Pitch | Drive Hyperlink Depend |
|---|---|
| 1/4″ | 40, 42, 45, 48 |
| .325″ | 56, 60, 63, 66 |
| 3/8″ | 50, 52, 56, 58 |
| .404″ | 47, 51, 55, 59 |
Gauging the Thickness: A Exact Measurement
Measuring the thickness of a chainsaw chain is essential to make sure correct match and efficiency. This is a step-by-step information on the way to do it precisely:
1. Collect Measuring Instruments:
You will want a caliper or micrometer with a variety of not less than 0-10 mm. Clear the instruments totally to stop contamination.
2. Choose a Chain Hyperlink:
Select a hyperlink close to the middle of the chain to symbolize the typical thickness. Be certain the hyperlink shouldn’t be broken or deformed.
3. Align the Caliper or Micrometer:
Maintain the caliper or micrometer perpendicular to the chain. Make sure the jaws are absolutely seated on the outer drive hyperlinks, avoiding the slicing enamel.
4. Measure the Thickness:
Squeeze the jaws collectively till they gently contact the drive hyperlinks. Learn the measurement on the caliper or micrometer show. Repeat the measurement on a number of hyperlinks to get a median.
5. Calculate the Common Thickness:
Usually, chainsaw chain thickness is measured in fractions of an inch. To transform millimeters to fractions, use the next desk:
| Millimeters | Fraction of an Inch |
|---|---|
| 1.3 | 0.050″ |
| 1.5 | 0.063″ |
| 1.6 | 0.063″ |
For instance, if the micrometer reads 1.6 mm, the typical chain thickness is 0.063″ (1/16″).
Matching Chain Specs to Noticed Necessities
When deciding on a substitute chain to your chainsaw, it’s essential to make sure that the specs of the chain match the necessities of your noticed. By contemplating components such because the pitch, gauge, size, and cutter sort, you may guarantee optimum efficiency and security. Beneath is an in depth rationalization of every specification and the way it impacts the chain’s compatibility together with your noticed:
Pitch
The pitch refers back to the distance between the drive hyperlinks on the chain. It’s measured in inches. The pitch of the chain should match the pitch of the sprocket in your chainsaw. A mismatch may cause untimely put on, injury to the noticed, or kickback. Frequent chain pitches embody 0.325″, 0.375″, and 0.404″.
Gauge
The gauge refers back to the thickness of the drive hyperlinks on the chain. Additionally it is measured in inches. The gauge of the chain should match the groove width of the information bar in your chainsaw. If the gauge is simply too broad or too slim, the chain won’t match correctly or minimize effectively. Frequent chain gauges embody 0.050″, 0.058″, and 0.063″.
Size
The size of the chain is measured within the variety of drive hyperlinks. It have to be appropriate with the size of the information bar in your chainsaw. A series that’s too lengthy will overhang the bar and might trigger kickback, whereas a series that’s too brief won’t attain the tip of the bar and can minimize inefficiently. The size of the chain is often stamped on the aspect of the drive hyperlinks.
Cutter Sort
The cutter sort refers back to the form and design of the slicing enamel on the chain. There are numerous cutter varieties obtainable, every designed for particular slicing functions. Some frequent cutter varieties embody chisel, semi-chisel, and skip tooth. The cutter sort needs to be chosen based mostly on the kind of wooden being minimize and the specified slicing pace.
Guaranteeing Correct Match: A Important Consideration
1. Measure the Noticed Bar’s Size
The noticed bar’s size is the gap from the tip of the bar to the middle of the bar’s mounting gap. This measurement can usually be discovered stamped on the aspect of the noticed bar itself. In case you can’t discover the measurement stamped on the bar, you may measure it your self utilizing a tape measure or ruler.
2. Depend the Drive Hyperlinks
The drive hyperlinks are the enamel on the chain that interact with the sprocket on the noticed bar. To depend the drive hyperlinks, begin at one finish of the chain and depend each different hyperlink till you attain the opposite finish. The full variety of drive hyperlinks would be the variety of drive hyperlinks within the chain.
3. Decide the Chain Pitch
The chain pitch is the gap between the facilities of two consecutive drive hyperlinks. To find out the chain pitch, measure the gap between the facilities of two consecutive drive hyperlinks after which divide that measurement by 2. The consequence would be the chain pitch.
4. Calculate the Right Chain Size
The proper chain size is set by the next system:
Chain Size = (Noticed Bar Size – 2 inches) * 2 + (Drive Hyperlinks x 2)
Instance: For a 16-inch noticed bar with 72 drive hyperlinks, the right chain size can be: (16 – 2) * 2 + (72 * 2) = 150
5. Alter the Chain Size
If the chain is simply too lengthy, you’ll need to take away hyperlinks to get it to the right size. If the chain is simply too brief, you’ll need so as to add hyperlinks to the chain to get it to the right size.
6. Reinstall the Chain
As soon as the chain is the right size, reinstall the chain on the noticed bar. Be certain the drive hyperlinks are engaged with the sprocket on the noticed bar. Tighten the chain tensioner to the advisable pressure.
7. Test the Chain Stress
After the chain is put in, test the chain pressure. The chain needs to be tight sufficient to stop it from sagging, however not so tight that it binds on the noticed bar. You possibly can test the chain pressure by pulling up on the chain in the course of the bar. The chain ought to deflect 1/16 to 1/4 of an inch whenever you pull up on it.
| Chain Pitch | Chain Gauge | Variety of Drive Hyperlinks | Right Chain Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8″ | .050″ | 72 | 150 |
| .325″ | .058″ | 76 | 158 |
| .404″ | .063″ | 80 | 166 |
Troubleshooting Frequent Measurement Points: Options
9. The chain is simply too free
A free chain may be harmful and inefficient. To tighten the chain, comply with these steps:
- Loosen the chain tensioner bolt or knob.
- Slowly flip the chain tensioning screw clockwise till the chain is comfortable in opposition to the bar.
- Tighten the chain tensioner bolt or knob securely.
- Recheck the chain pressure by pulling on it together with your fingers. It needs to be tight sufficient to withstand pulling, however not so tight that it binds in opposition to the bar.
| Chain too free signs: | Chain too free options: |
|---|---|
| Extreme vibration | Tighten the chain as described above. |
| Chain leaping off the bar | Tighten the chain as described above. |
| Bar overheating | Tighten the chain as described above. |
| Decreased slicing effectivity | Tighten the chain as described above. |
In case you are nonetheless having issues with the chain being too free, seek the advice of your chainsaw’s proprietor’s guide or a certified mechanic.
How To Measure A Chain For A Chainsaw
There are two methods to measure a chainsaw chain: by its pitch, gauge, and size, or by the variety of drive hyperlinks it has. The pitch is the gap between any three consecutive rivets on the chain. The gauge is the thickness of the drive hyperlinks. And the size is the entire variety of drive hyperlinks within the chain.
To measure the pitch and gauge of a chainsaw chain, you’ll need a caliper or a ruler. To measure the pitch, place the caliper or ruler throughout three consecutive rivets and measure the gap between them. To measure the gauge, place the caliper or ruler throughout the widest a part of a drive hyperlink and measure the thickness.
To measure the size of a chainsaw chain, you’ll need to depend the variety of drive hyperlinks within the chain. To do that, merely depend the variety of hyperlinks which have a drive tang.
Individuals Additionally Ask
How do I do know what measurement chain I want for my chainsaw?
To seek out the right measurement chain to your chainsaw, you’ll need to know the pitch, gauge, and size of the chain. Yow will discover this data in your chainsaw’s proprietor’s guide or on the chainsaw itself. After getting this data, you should use a series measurement calculator to search out the right measurement chain to your chainsaw.
What occurs if I take advantage of the flawed measurement chain on my chainsaw?
Utilizing the flawed measurement chain in your chainsaw can injury the chainsaw and the chain itself. If the chain is simply too lengthy, it may bind within the bar and trigger the chainsaw to kickback. If the chain is simply too brief, it won’t be able to chop correctly and can shortly turn out to be boring.
How usually ought to I substitute my chainsaw chain?
The frequency with which it’s best to substitute your chainsaw chain will rely on how usually you employ the chainsaw and the kind of wooden you might be slicing. rule of thumb is to exchange the chain each 6-12 months, or extra ceaselessly if you’re slicing laborious or abrasive wooden.
