How to Make a 35 Pitch Chain With Low Drag
Making a chain is not as difficult as you might think. But knowing what you need to make a 35 pitch chain with low drag can be more complicated. The numbers of the chain tell you part of what you must know. The pitch is the length between roller bushings or pins. The 3 in the number tells you the width of the pitch, which in this case is three-eighths. The 5 in the number tells you that this type of chain has no rollers and uses pins instead. This type of chain is used on a chainsaw, because it is one of the only chains that has a drag on the chain link.
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Things You'll Need
- Chain links
- Link pins (link bushing)
- Chain link assembly tool
- Tape measure
- Bench vice
- Flat file
Instructions
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1
Insert the link pins into the holes of the chain links. Slide those two links into the mouth of the chain link assembly tool. Turn the knob of the assembly tool until it starts pressing the link pin together. Continue turning the knob until you cannot turn the press of the assembly tool any further. Add another link pin and chain link to the assembled links and place in the mouth of the tool. Press this link into place by turning the knob again, until you can turn it no further. Continue adding chain links and pressing pins into place in this manner, until it's roughly the length you need.
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2
Remove the assembled chain and measure the length with a tape measure. Take the two loose ends of the chain and slide a link pin into the assembly holes, once you have the desired length of assembled chain. Slide the chain ends and link pin into the mouth of the assembly tool, and press the link in place.
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3
Take the assembled chain and place it in the mouth of the bench vice. Insert the chain with the top plate, cutting corner and drag facing up. File down the drag of the chain with the flat file until you have reached the depth you desire. Lowering the drag or depth gauge will allow the chain to cut easier.
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Tips & Warnings
A chainsaw with an 18-inch bar will require a chain approximately 38-inches long.
Always ensure that the drag is lower than the cutting corner of each chain link, or the chainsaw chain will not cut properly.
Lowering the drag on each chain link too much will cause the chainsaw to grab and jerk the wood as you cut, causing handling problems.
Always use the proper personal protective equipment, such as gloves and goggles, when operating a chainsaw.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
