Problem with one chain

Ward Barnes · January 23, 2014, 10:08:26 AM

Howdy Folks:

The new MS362 my dear wife purchased for my Christmas present and gave to me early (Thanksgiving time frame) is running like a champ, however, one chain out of 3 is binding up on the bar. I am assuming that the chain that is binding has one or more links that is out of line with the rest of the links. A visual inspection did not reveal the alignment problem. I checked to make sure the brake was off! The chain is a Woodland Pro 3/8 .050 84 link full chisel (WPL 24 30RC84). I have one other of the same chain that works fine as does the chain that came with the saw.

Is there a way to align the chain?

God Bless, Ward and Mary.

thecfarm · January 23, 2014, 10:10:35 AM

Wax it like that brand new? I will throw a chain and than have to figure out which link is binding in the groove and file it foen.

Ward Barnes · January 23, 2014, 10:21:48 AM

Quote from: thecfarm on January 23, 2014, 10:10:35 AM
Wax it like that brand new? I will throw a chain and than have to figure out which link is binding in the groove and file it foen.

The chain ran fine out of the box and the first few sharpenings. I bound the chain in a log, but, was able to remove it without problem and it ran fine. Later that day I did throw the chain and put the saw away for the day. The problem showed up the next day when I went to use it.

Thanks for the reply.
God Bless,
Ward.

John Mc · January 23, 2014, 10:38:34 AM

Sounds like one of your drive links got messed up. That happens a lot when you throw a chain. I would not use the chain unless you can find which driver is damaged and de-burr or re-align it. No point in wearing out the groove in your bar with a bad chain.

HolmenTree · January 23, 2014, 10:39:56 AM

Ward it sounds like you bent the chain when you pinched it in the log . Lay the loop flat on a table and the defect should show up.

Ward Barnes · January 23, 2014, 11:33:15 AM

Howdy again:

I took the chain to my local Stihl dealer and he spread the chain out on the counter and saw 3 or 4 drive links that had a burr where the chain had made contact with the saw when I had thrown the chain. I will file the burrs and report back.

Thanks for the replies. Together we will get this chain back in top shape.

Ward.

John Mc · January 23, 2014, 12:15:10 PM

Take a close look at the links in the damaged area to make sure they are not cracked... no poin tin getting it all fixed up, only to have it come apart on you.

Andyshine77 · January 23, 2014, 01:15:56 PM

Pretty much any time you throw a chain, the drive sprocket will ding up the drivers. Simply file them flat and go back to cutting.

treechopper40 · January 23, 2014, 03:22:36 PM

put he chain on the saw loose start it rev it up a couple times the burs will be gone then tighten the chain that's how I do it and you wont hurt anything ive done it that way for over 25 years u get burs most of the time when you throw a chain its a easy fix hope this helps

luvmexfood · January 23, 2014, 06:22:59 PM

Tried filing off the burrs on a chain one time. Actually 3 or 4 times on same chain. Man they are hard. Good luck.

clww · January 23, 2014, 06:43:30 PM

A Dremel is really good for taking off a small burr on the drivers.

luvmexfood · January 23, 2014, 08:46:51 PM

Quote from: clww on January 23, 2014, 06:43:30 PM
A Dremel is really good for taking off a small burr on the drivers.

clww. Whats the temp up in VA. Beach. 9 here in SW VA.

Ward Barnes · January 23, 2014, 08:51:41 PM

Howdy Folks:

Success. Removed the burrs with a flat file and the chain works like it should. Thanks to everyone who replied and I hope my experience and the replies helped all who read the post.

God Bless, Ward and Mary.

bandmiller2 · January 23, 2014, 08:54:02 PM

I repair burs on drive links with a ball pein hammer on an anvil, with care of course. Frank C.

lumberjack48 · January 24, 2014, 04:53:43 PM

Quote from: treechopper40 on January 23, 2014, 03:22:36 PM
put he chain on the saw loose start it rev it up a couple times the burs will be gone then tighten the chain that's how I do it and you wont hurt anything ive done it that way for over 25 years u get burs most of the time when you throw a chain its a easy fix hope this helps

I've had 5-10-15 drivers banged up, the drivers wouldn't fit in the bar rail. I ran it real louse, the chain hanging, rev it up a few times, and make a cut with it, just as good as new. Tighten the chain up and go onward, probably took about 10 minutes.

My father showed me this trick 53 yrs ago, boy was i a happy camper, i threw the chain quit limbing balsam.

Al_Smith · January 24, 2014, 06:29:44 PM

Actually I get a lot of free chain that way .A trimmer bud of mine if they mess up a driver or a cutter it gets tossed in bottom of his tool bins .Every so often I clean them out .Good chain ,all Stihl .I either file them out or cut them down from 24" to 20" or change out a cutter or two .Freebies what the hey . ;D

thecfarm · January 24, 2014, 06:40:29 PM

I'd my hand in the tool bins too!

clww · January 24, 2014, 06:49:57 PM

Quote from: luvmexfood on January 23, 2014, 08:46:51 PM
Quote from: clww on January 23, 2014, 06:43:30 PM
A Dremel is really good for taking off a small burr on the drivers.

clww. Whats the temp up in VA. Beach. 9 here in SW VA.

Yesterday it was 32 for the high. Today was 13 Low/23 High. Hard to keep warm out the today.
Sorry to highjack the thread. ;D