Why Does My Chainsaw Cut Crooked? Reasons and Solutions

Richard McMann

Knowledge Based

chainsaw cutting crookedChainsaws are strong power tools that make felling trees and chopping firewood nearly straightforward. However, even the most costly and powerful chainsaws may not always perform as expected. A chainsaw’s ability to cut crookedly or in a curved pattern is a problem that may rise sooner than later.

An inadequately sharpened chainsaw chain is the most common cause of crooked chainsaw cutting. The chain will pull in the direction of the highest degree if the cutter teeth are sharpening with an uneven angle degree. Other probable causes of a crooked cutting chainsaw include a broken chain that has come into touch with something other than wood. Damaged cutter teeth will not provide a steady cutting angle, causing the chain to cut in a zigzag pattern.

Why does my chainsaw cut crooked? You might feel depressed when you have a lot to do. However, with little know-how, this issue can be readily fixing.

A chain that has been improperly sharpened

What does a chain that has been incorrectly sharpened look like? Before we can examine this, I need to go into chainsaw chains in further detail. Small Chainsaw chains are made up of various components that each serve a distinct purpose in the cutting of wood.

The cutter tooth, cutter guard, and chain drag are the three main components of a chainsaw chain. The cutter tooth is the chain component that cuts the wood. It also protects the cutter tooth by acting as a buffer against too violent chain bites, which can be exceedingly hazardous owing to backlash. The chain drag pulls the chain around the chainsaw’s guide bar and is using by the sprocket to establish contact with the chain. The cutter tooth is frequently the cause of crooked cuts out of these three sections.

Inconsistent Chain

One of the most common reasons for an uneven cut when operating a 16″ chainsaw is that the chain isn’t sharpening properly. If the chain is sharpening unevenly, it will cut more effectively in one direction than the other. You’ll wind up with an uneven job since the blade will pull to the better-sharpened side.

If you’re sharpening your blades by hand, this might happen by mistake since you’ll wind up honing one side with your dominant hand and the other with your non-dominant hand. Because sharpening with your dominant hand is simpler, the side you sharpen with that hand will naturally be sharper.

To obtain a decent edge, you’ll need to sharpen the side you did with your non-dominant hand extremely carefully to make sure it matches the sharpness of the other side, and you’ll need to pay even more attention to both sides moving ahead.

Make Use of a Local Store

Sharpening chainsaw chains is a talent in and of itself. If you’re not sure about your sharpening skills, don’t be hesitant to take your chain or chains to a chainsaw shop. Instead of manual files, shops normally employ sharpening machines pre-set to the right angle to ensure that your chain comes out virtually faultless. Customers send me buckets of chains because they either don’t know how to execute the job correctly or have the time. Their chains are tuning in and ready to go when they leave my shop. They don’t have to worry about honing their chains and can concentrate on their work.

First and foremost, there is safety.

Chains that have been improperly sharpening or damaging might be aggravating, but they can also be hazardous and unpredictable. If you discover your chain isn’t cutting properly, you should stop using it right away and fix the problem as described above. When operating with a chainsaw, utilizing unexpected equipment is not a smart idea. People become acclimated to their equipment and become comfortable with it when bad things happen. Just keep in mind that your chainsaw is incredibly hazardous and must treat with caution at all times. A terrible event can happen in a matter of seconds. When using chainsaws, be cautious and careful.

What is the best way to sharpen a chainsaw that cuts in the proper direction?

It’s probably time to sharpen your chainsaw if it’s cutting to the right. Chainsaws make a tremendous difference in a homeowner’s safety and efficiency, so they must be sharpening correctly.

Sharpening your saw may appear overwhelming at first, but there are a few basic measures you can take to make the process go more smoothly.

1) Using pliers or wrenches, remove any extra material around the blade.

2) Use a file to touch another tooth.

3) Firmly press down while moving back and forth in a single direction until all teeth are uniformly filed.

4) Remove any burrs by softly filling each tooth with fine-grit sandpaper until smooth.

If you don’t have the equipment you need to sharpen your chainsaw with a grinder, you should seek expert help. They’ll be able to restore the sharpness of your saw and guarantee that it’s well-maintain at all times.

Here is a video guide about reasons why your chainsaw may cut crooked by Machinery Nation:

FAQS

How long should a sharp chainsaw chain last?

The state of your chain has a significant influence on your chainsaw’s performance and safety. What is the lifespan of a chainsaw chain? With regular use, a chainsaw chain can last up to 5 years. A chain might persist for decades for casual users.

How tight should the chain on your chainsaw be?

A properly tensioned chainsaw chain should be loose on the guide bar but not so loose that the drive links can pull out the bar nose.

What’s the deal with my chainsaw not cutting in a straight line?

Cutting teeth unevenly is a common reason. The chain is long on the right side if it cuts to the left and vice versa. Only sharpen one side. If the bar has been worn unevenly, the chain will not cut straight.

Conclusion: Why Does My Chainsaw Cut Crooked?

In this post, we discussed why does my chainsaw cut crooked? And listed the most common causes, such as a chain that has been wrongly sharpening or a chain that has been broken. Both of these problems may readily resolve by either sharpening or replacing your chain.

Richard McMann
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