Chainsaw Repair Guide

Chainsaws are some of the most valuable and versatile tools in every handyman's workshop. While they are great for every tough job, from cutting firewood to clearing brush, they can also be temperamental gadgets that have a tendency to break down. Fixing them properly can present a few challenges, but most repairs can be accomplished at home.

Instructions

1. Check the oil. The most important step in keeping your chainsaw working well is to make sure it is oiled properly and regularly. All chainsaws have either automatic or manual oilers, which lubricate the saw's chain. Both types of oiler should be refilled regularly with the oil grade specified in the owner's manual. If your saw has a manual oiler, push the oiling button every minute or so while cutting to avoid overheating and chain damage.

2. Keep your chainsaw as clean and free of excess sawdust as possible. Use a small screwdriver to clean the oil holes in the guide bar and guide bar slot. Brush all vents around the engine housing and muffler so that more air can flow freely and cool the engine properly.

3. Set the idle and air/gas mix properly. If the engine of your chainsaw stalls, it could be caused by a bad balance between your fuel and air mixture or an improper idle setting. Screw knobs on the body of your chainsaw control both. On most saws, idle speed and gas amounts are decreased by turning the knobs counterclockwise and increased by turning them clockwise.

4. Adjust the tension if your saw's chain is not fit properly. Proper chain tension is the key to safe and proper cutting. Tension should be adjusted regularly, whether a saw is malfunctioning or not. To do this, loosen the guide-bar nuts. Hold the saw so that the guide bar points upward, then turn the adjusting screw clockwise to tighten the chain.

5. Check the status of your chainsaw's cutters and replace them if necessary. Even though a saw's chain may be attached properly and moving smoothly, it can still be malfunctioning and causing poor performance. Every link in the saw's chain has a sharp cutter on its opposite side; if these are damaged, the saw will not run well. Fortunately, these individual links/cutters can be purchased separately and replaced.

6. Find a replacement chain at a local hardware store if the entire chain is damaged or destroyed. To change the chain, take off the saw's guide bar by removing the guide-bar nut. Lay the saw on its side and lift the old chain from the drive socket and the bar from the adjusting pin. Turn the tension-adjusting screw counterclockwise to ease tension on the adjusting pin. Hold the bar upright and hang the new chain over the nose of the bar, slipping the chain tangs into the guide-bar slot. The cutters on top of the bar should face away from the engine when the bar is back on the saw.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish