Making a mistake with your chainsaw’s chain direction while in the midst of cutting wood can be frustrating and potentially dangerous. However, you don’t need any fancy digital tools to address this common issue.
In this article, I’ll provide you with straightforward guidance on how to accurately assess your chainsaw chain’s direction and the fundamentals of proper mounting.
What is the Right Chain Direction?
The most common question that a lot of users ask is why the chainsaw’s chain direction matter. When replacing a blade, or any part of your chainsaw, many often place the chain in the wrong direction, which leads to accidental damage on the machine.
You’ll want the blades rotating above the chainsaw bar, and with the latter situated on the left side, it should spin in a counter-clockwise direction. This puts the cutting edges faced away from the motor engine. If it’s moving in a backward direction, then it’s positioned wrong.
How to Identify the Direction of Your Chainsaw Chain
Mounting the chain and getting the right blade direction can be confusing, even for a regular chainsaw user. While experienced users who have operated chainsaws for a long time probably know all the tricks already, anyone can still experience this common pitfall.
Check Chainsaw Blade Direction
Even when you’re using a heavier and bigger electric or gas chainsaw, the positioning of the blades stays in only one direction. If it’s in a direction opposite the chainsaw engine, then your chainsaw blade direction is on a good start.
The cutter tip or pointed edge should always face in the direction the chainsaw blade rotates. Keep the blades pointed to the right, putting the tip of the bar away from the engine.
How to Get the Chainsaw Chain Direction Correct
Step #1: Detach the Chainsaw Casing
To start disassembling your chainsaw, remove the chainsaw casing and clutch cover from the chainsaw body.
Adjust the chain tension to loosen the nuts and disengage the chain break before putting out the clutch cover. Then, remove the side casing to get to the bar and chain to fully disengage the casing.
Step #2: Remove the Chain
When the tension is already loose, you can easily pull off the chain from the sprocket. Carefully pull away the chain from the chain bar. Lay everything on the ground and keep all materials intact. These old pieces can be useful guides when finding replacement chains.
Step #3: Identify the Direction of the Chainsaw Chain
To pin down the correct chainsaw direction, check out these 3 essential variables: the drive links, cutter, and guide blade.
First, determine if the drive links, or the wavy-shaped piece, are pointing forward. If it’s on the reverse side, then you might want to toss your chains to the correct direction.
Next, inspect the cutter. The chainsaw blade is often percepted as the guide blade. Remember that the long tails or the sharp edges are the cutting blade and are always in the same direction as the chain links.
Lastly, check the direction of the guide blade. The guide blade should be directed in front of the cutter so it’s facing the opposite way.
Step #4: Check if the Drive Link, Cutter, Guide are in Order
The drive link, cutter, and guide should always come in this specific order to assess that you are in the correct chainsaw chain direction. These pieces come one after the other.
If you’re faced with a sequence where the guide comes first before the chainsaw blade, then you’re definitely on a backwards chain.
Step #5: Put the Chainsaw Back Together and Tighten the Blade
After inspecting the chainsaw direction, it’s time to reassemble the chainsaw with the correct replacement chain. Wrap your new chain around the guide bar and ensure that the chain link is fixed into the bar track, while the sharp edge should be faced outside or upwards.
What Happens When the Chainsaw Chain is Set to the Wrong Direction
The cutting teeth of the chain are fabricated to bite in the right direction only. So when you mount a chain in the wrong direction, the blunt edge of cutters hitting wood will be forced. And the downside is that you still end up with smokes instead of actual cutting.
Not even a good bar oil can fix a chain in reverse. You’re also at risk of a broken chain and waste bar oil damage.
When Should I Replace My Chainsaw Chain?
Knowing when to replace your chain saves you a trip to your chainsaw dealer. To maximize your saw’s performance, it’s best to replace your chains once the following telltale signs appear:
If the chains are producing rougher threads [1], and you’re having trouble with cutting positions brought about by the chainsaw shakes, then it’s high time to replace your chains. Also inspect the chainsaw teeth direction. If you often position it reversely, this may be another reason why the teeth of the chain dull out easily.
For Saker mini chainsaw units, purchasing a replacement chainsaw chain is not an issue because their website has them readily available.
How to Find a Replacement Chain for Your Chainsaw
Here, I’ve gathered the factors to look out for when replacing your Blue max chainsaw chains:
Pitch
A larger pitch generally means a heavier duty chain. You can know the pitch by the average distance of the three successive chain links into two, or check for the more accurate measurement in the tool or user manual.
Oftentimes, it’s quantified by decimal or fractions and can vary depending on the size of the saw chain.
Gauge
With the wrong gauge size, you’ll end up with a seemingly dull blade and de-railed chains, all of which are risks for accidents. To come up with a precise measure of the gauge, use the dime method. You’ll essentially want it to sit tightly on the insides of the bar rails.
Drive Link count
Manually counting the pin is the common exercise chainsaw users do to determine the number of drive links. These are the bumps or circles inside the chain that are very easy to distinguish.
What a lot of users aren’t aware of is that link counts are often indicated in the chain bar. The chainsaw manual is also an accurate basis when finding replacement chains.
Conclusion
Regular maintenance is essential for any power tool, and when it comes to chainsaws, proper mounting and calibration are fundamental tasks every user should become familiar with in order to ensure the longevity of the machine.
Neglecting these basic maintenance procedures can result in a less efficient chainsaw experience and compromised performance.
Robert Johnson is a passionate furniture maker & carpenter, sought after for his knowledge on the craft.
You’ve probably seen his down-to-earth wisdom in USA Today, Bobvila, Family Handyman, and The Spruce, where he has shared commentary and guidance on various woodworking topics.
Robert is the brain behind Sawinery, where he aims to share tips, tricks, and a passion for all things carpentry.
