chainsaw advice Post your questions and find answers on all garden related topics and areas

[richardy]

I have a problem with chains not cutting. I use a saw clamped in a steel horse to cut logs but after some time the saw will only cut the first inch or so and will not cut any deeper. I have tried sharpening, filing the depth stops, turning the bar but nothing works. A new chain works perfectly - the old one looks OK but is it just worn out? I have also noted the same sort of problem when using the saw out of the horse - it will only cut on the back stroke, very limited cutting on the forward stroke.

[stoneyboy]

richardy,
Used chains which are not sharpened regularly will get a rounded cutting edge. Have a look and see if you are filing away enough material to give a true edge. With a new chain file and a worn chain it will probably take 5 - 10 strokes to cut away enough material to get a good edge.
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