Chain Tensioning......too tight or too loose?

[STIHL-KID]

Ok, thought I'd start this thread in order to expose the truth. I have heard stories that a chain should be adjusted a little on the loose side for long bars and tighter for shorter ones. Any truth to this? My manual explains that chain tensioning should be considered "good" when you can pinch the chain with your fingers and lift it away from the bar without exposing the drive link teeth. Is this technically correct? I would be interested in knowing what the majority of AS members do to adjust their chains on the saw.

 

[huskydave]

I keep mine just tight enough it doesn't sag away from the bar.

 

[Cut4fun]

I dont know what i am doing, but i try to be on the loose side, where I can pull the bottom of the chain and see half of the drive link at the bottom of the bar out of the groove.:help:

I do this on 10" bars to 32" bars.

 

[troutfisher]

I keep mine just tight enough it doesn't sag away from the bar.

Me too. Real tight is bad.

 

[tawilson]

I keep mine just tight enough it doesn't sag away from the bar.

Ditto, while holding the tip up. Then when everythings all tight I give the chain a spin to make sure it's not too tight or bound up somewhere.

 

[troutfisher]

Ditto, while holding the tip up. Then when everythings all tight I give the chain a spin to make sure it's not too tight or bound up somewhere.

I agree, the chain should spin pretty easily by hand.

 

[Woodsrover]

I run my chains looser than most. At the center of the bar I can pull the chain down enough to easily expose the whole drive link. If you're burying the whole bar, that slack helps let the whole bar length of teeth kick in deeper. Not so important if you're always cutting 8" wood with a 16" bar but using the whole bar, it helps.

If I'm cutting slash or brush I'll run it tighter to keep from thowing a chain.

jim

 

[Timberhauler]

I just tighten it up until it doesn't sag...Anymore than that is too much.

 

[GASoline71]

I just tighten it up until it doesn't sag...Anymore than that is too much.

X2

Gary

 

[oldsaw]

X2

Gary

+3...you will notice that the chain will have a certain "feel" after a while, and will tighten to that feel. When it's right, it's right.

Mark

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

"No sag. No drag."

You just gotta feel it and figure it out. But most guys do run it too tightly.

 

[STIHL-KID]

"No sag. No drag."

You just gotta feel it and figure it out. But most guys do run it too tightly.

Livewire........hope your reading this! Hehe, so much for that bet!

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Livewire........hope your reading this! Hehe, so much for that bet!

What's the bet? Did I win?

 

[STIHL-KID]

Livewire made this little bet:

I'll give you 20 bucks
if no one say "no sag, no drag" in the next 10 minutes!!!

READY??? GO...

Technically, I think I may have won $20. :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[livewire]

Livewire made this little bet:

I'll give you 20 bucks
if no one say "no sag, no drag" in the next 10 minutes!!!

READY??? GO...

Technically, I think I may have won $20. :hmm3grin2orange:

Cash, check or money order?

I knew I shouldn't gamble!

Jeff, next time I'll ask you when you'll be posting and cut you in!

 

[STIHL-KID]

all in the name of fun!

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Jeff, next time I'll ask you when you'll be posting and cut you in!

I'm gonna hold you to that!

I think it was Mike Maas who said that, but can't remember for sure. Regardless, it's about as good as I've heard it put. Once you figure it out, and know what to look for, it sums it up perfectly.

 

[SawTroll]

I'm gonna hold you to that!

I think it was Mike Maas who said that, but can't remember for sure. Regardless, it's about as good as I've heard it put. Once you figure it out, and know what to look for, it sums it up perfectly.

+1, I used to have mine a bit too tight until starting reading here at AS.