Working with a chainsaw is already not easy, and to add more to it, the wrong blade direction can make the situation even worse. This situation must be handled before going into further trouble. In this article, I will cover all the aspects related to the right and wrong of chainsaw blade direction. So, let’s get right into it.
Problems Faced due to Wrong Blade Direction
There are many injuries and damage of chainsaw that come into notice due to something wrong with the chainsaw, and mostly, it is about the wrong blade direction.
According to the Center for Disease Control CDC, every year, around 36000 people are treated for chainsaw injuries. What do you think about the urgency of this issue now? Shouldn’t it be taken seriously? I would say a big YES!
Moreover, due to the wrong direction, the following stuff can go wrong with your chainsaw as well:
Chain Link Damage
The first problem that a wrong blade direction can cause is damaging the chain links. This should be a concern because the chainsaw is a powerful tool and both the worker’s safety and the chainsaw’s well-being are important. Thus, the chain-link damage is not good for it.
Burnout Clutch
Chainsaw working and not cutting in actuality can also cause serious problems. That can be in the form of a burnout clutch, and the clutch is constantly in use while operating the chainsaw. Once the clutch burns, ultimately, your chainsaw will not be able to work. Isn’t it bad?
Bar Oil Waste
The wrong blade direction can cause even more problems. Another problem is the waste of bar oil. Bar oil helps in particular projects while working with the chainsaw. So, wastage of this oil will not only affect the performance of your chainsaw but will create oil shortage problems as well.
Stresses on the Guide Bar
Another important thing to notice here is the over-stress. If your blade direction is wrong, the chainsaw won’t work fine, and this, as a result, will cause additional and unwanted stresses on your guide bar that is not good for your chainsaw.
The truth about the Blade Direction
What should be the correct blade direction? Before knowing about the diagnosing procedure; if the blade direction is right or wrong, there should be a clear perception in mind about the right blade direction. Also, the problem of wrong blade direction is usually faced when the older blades get worn out, and you replace them or sharpen them attach again.
The idea of the correct blade direction can be taken by a simple activity:
- Place your chainsaw such that the engine is on the left while the guide bar is on the right.
- Now the blades consist usually of two parts; a sharp portion followed by a blunt portion.
- The chain in this scenario moves in the clockwise direction, and thus the sharp part is always ahead.
Now, let’s clear it further by going into the details of views and the right direction of blades.
Front View
By seeing from the front, the guide bar should be right in front of you, and in this view, the sharp part of the blade should be on the right (keeping our reference configuration of engine and chain in mind), and the blunt portion should be on the left; for the upper portion of the chain.
In the lower portion of the chain, this should be exactly opposite to that of the upper part that we just discussed.
Top View
To demystify further, let’s have a look from the top. So, the chainsaw is placed just like the reference configuration, and you will look at it from the top. This is quite similar to the placement/ direction of the blade that we discussed in the front view.
The sharp edge of the blade should be on the right, whereas the dull/blunt part should be on the left. Exactly opposite to it is the case of the bottom chain where the left one is the sharp part.
Side View
If you still can’t get it, try viewing through side view. In this scenario, the sharp part should be moving towards down, and the blunt part is following it. This is just like the clockwise direction demonstration.
Note
Suppose you opt for an opposite configuration, like keeping the engine on the right while the chain on the left. You will have to read all the above aspects in the opposite sense.
If you find it like the above-mentioned demonstration, then you are fine with it and no need to worry. But if you find contrast, you should follow the procedure to make the direction of the chainsaw right!
Fixing bar
For a good chainsaw, the bar adjustment should also be good. The bar plays an important role in the mounting of a chain of the chainsaw. Adjust the bar carefully so that the chain gets properly attached to it according to the sizing as well.
Blade Direction
The next thing is to attach the chain with the bar but don’t just casually do it as here is the critical part. Your blade direction should be according to the above-mentioned configuration and placement. This is the way that you will get something productive out of it. Otherwise, it is of no benefit to going through this process.
Chain Tension
Now, the last thing to do is to tighten the chain according to the standards. That means it should neither be very tight nor loose but in the middle. The tightness of the chain is important; if not done properly, it may cause trouble, so pay attention to it as well.
After tightening up the chain, your chainsaw is ready to use and will provide proper efficiency.
Conclusion
There can be a lot of complexities in a power tool. Even a single of them can cause big trouble and require a lot of working to fix it, just like the blade direction of a chainsaw. It might seem simple, but this is not the case. The chainsaw blade should be set right to avoid disasters/problems and achieve efficiency.
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