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An essential cock in the professional- and DIY - forestry worlds , the chain saw is a powerhouse when it ’s run well . However , over prison term , and with repeated utilization , a chainsaw range of mountains can wear out , and a chainsaw bar can become dead set or damage .
Overlooking something as simple as keeping the sawing machine ’s oil reservoir filled can permanently damage a bar and strand . replace both parts is simple and , when you know how , so is figuring out the right alternate sizes for them .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Very few provision are needed to measure a chainsaw bar and chemical chain . In this pathfinder we ’ll measure two dissimilar chainsaws , anEcho 20 - inch Timber Wolf Gas Chainsawand anEcho 12 - column inch Cordless Battery Chainsaw . Other brands and models may change slimly , but measuring the bar and mountain chain on all models follows the same general guidelines . pull together the supplies before start , and it can be a quick task .
Tools & Materials
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Before You Begin
base hit first ! Disconnect thechainsawfrom its great power source . If it is abattery - power chain saw , remove the atomic number 3 - ion battery . If it ’s a corded chainsaw , disconnect the peter from the retail store .
It ’s also not a bad idea to get into gloves . The chainsaw blade links on a chainsaw mountain chain aresharpand can well rub or tailor pelt .
Product Spotlight: Best Chainsaw for Backyards
Stihl MSA 300 C - O 16″ Battery Chainsaw
This amazing saw is at the top of our list . This stamp battery - powered simple machine is quieter and light than accelerator pedal - power models , but offers the same power and operation . The lightweight design was a real differentiator among all of the assault and battery - power models . It was easier to expend when lifting and making cut in catchy situation . This chainsaw excelled at dropping Tree , delimbing , and slicing through deadfall to fill trailers with firewood . With two battery , I had no issue running this take in nigh - continuously for full sidereal day in the field . The IPX4 - rated battery performed extremely well and had no way out with dew or the short pelting that score one mean solar day .
Get the Stihl MSA 300 Chainsaw at Ace Hardware for $ 819 .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
For more chainsaw critique , see our test guide to thebest chainsaws for backyard , firewood , and more .
How to Measure a Chainsaw Bar
chain saw are betray by bar length , so most of the prison term the tool ’s owner will know the Browning automatic rifle size of it when buy a alternate bar . However , bar length can be forgotten , or the tool may have a dissimilar original owner so the current possessor does n’t roll in the hay the duration .
Measuring a chainsaw bar is dim-witted , but it call for disassembling the chain saw . Here ’s what to do :
Step 1: Use a scrench to loosen the bolts that hold the protective case in place.
On the side of the chainsaw are one , two , or three bolts , count on the make and model of the saw . The bolts insure a protective face over the full point where the bar , chain , and sprocket attach .
Achainsaw scrench(combination pull and screwdriver ) is specifically made for this job . Use the socket wrench stop to relax and remove the nut(s ) by wrench counterclockwise . Once the nuts are off , the case slips right off . Be sure to typeset the bolts somewhere safe where they wo n’t get lost .
Step 2: Remove the chainsaw bar and chain.
Once the case is off , the chain goes drop-off and it ’s a simple undertaking to lift it up and off the bar and the cog . Now , attract the bar outward from the chainsaw to withdraw it . Both the chain and the bar should issue forth off easily .
Step 3: Measure the bar from the tip to the center slot—and round up, if necessary.
Lay the chainsaw stripe flavourless on a table or counter and measure from the rounded remainder to the gist time slot at the other conclusion of the bar . Chainsaw bars sell in even number , such as 12 - column inch , 14 - inch , and 16 - inch measure . The illusion here is to round the measurement up to the nearestevennumber .
On the Echo Timber Wolf flatulence chainsaw , the measurement from the pourboire to the expansion slot comes out to be 18 - 7/8 inches , so when rounding it up , it will be 20 inch .
How to Measure a Chainsaw Chain
Figuring out how to valuate chain size is a small wily , but not unmanageable . To get the correct replacement chain , you need three numbers : the pitch , the gauge , and the act of radio link in the strand .
This info may be printed on some chainsaw bars , as was regain on the Echo . It has a 12 - in bar , which indicates the bar is 12 inch long , the gauge is .050 , and tar is 3/8 inch . In addition , the number of drive links in the range of mountains is 45 , as indicated by the “ 45DL . ”
The prominent Timber Wolf has no printing on the bar , but it ’s still a simple subject to figure out the measurements .
Step 1: Count the number of drive links on the chain.
Chainsaw chain sizes depend on the number of driving force link . This is the one step that can become tedious , but it ’s not complicated . If the bar does n’t have the information printed on it — you’ll have to count the drive links .
While not all-important , bind a string between links and initiate counting right after the string makes it easier to count the liaison without losing your place . Make a greenback of the total number . On the Timber Wolf mountain chain , we counted 70 campaign link .
Step 2: Measure the distance between three rivets and divide by 2 to find the pitch.
movement connectedness are held in place by stud that keep them firmly sequester and help as flexible decimal point that allow the chain to flex as it move around the taproom . To find the range ’s sales talk , measure the distance between three rivets , starting at the heart of one stud , pass the 2d , and terminate at the center of the third . This measurement must be accurate , so rather than starting at the remnant of a tape measure , which has a hook that floats , start at the 1 - inch increment on the tape beat .
On the Timber Wolf , the exact distance between the rivets was 6/8 of an column inch . When divided by 2 , the result is 3/8 of an column inch . So , the chain ’s auction pitch is 3/8 - inch .
Step 3: Use common coins to determine the chain’s gauge.
The calibre on achainsaw chainis the thickness of the tips of the golf links that move around within the groove of the chain saw ginmill . The simplest agency to figure out the Ernst Boris Chain ’s gauge is to habituate coin to regulate the width of the vallecula on the bar . Gather a dime , a penny , and a fourth . One at a time , seek fit each coin into the channel on the sharpness of the chainsaw bar .
The correct coin should slide into the groove easily but snugly . In the case of the Timber Wolf , the one-fourth was too wide to slue into the groove ; the dime was so narrow-minded it rattled around , but the penny was a decent , close-fitting fit , so the correct gauge was .058 . employ the follow principle of pollex to determine the bore , depending on which coin fits the best .
Dime : .050Penny : .058Quarter : .063
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Final Thoughts
The loud dissonance and sheer index of chainsaws belie their relatively simple aim . Disassembling a chain saw to measure and replace its prevention and chain is a quick and easy task that expect very few tools .
It ’s essential that the replacement parts be the right sizing . If you do n’t have the chainsaw ’s original manual and the mensuration are not printed on the bar , they ’re still easygoing to calculate out . With our how - to guide for measuring a chainsaw bar and range , there ’s one few ground to put off replacing drawn chainsaw parts . With regular maintenance , you ’ll be capable touse the chainsawsafely for years to come .
This Is the twelvemonth for a Kitchen Renovation
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Whether you ’re selling or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . determine why we consider this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to remain on budget .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila Photo: Glenda Taylor
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
