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Chainsaw won't cut straight. Need advice.

Started by CHARLIE, January 04, 2004, 07:55:58 PM

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CHARLIE

A friend in the woodturning club I belong to, asked me a question which I could not answer and so I'm posting it here for some expert advice.  Thanks in advance, Charlie

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When a chainsaw cuts off to one side instead of straight, does that mean that the teeth on one side are duller than the other? If that's true, on which side would the dullest teeth be to make the cut wander to the right? My theory would be right side/dullest, the sharper teeth on the left would cut better and make the bar veer to the right as it cuts.

Or is it something else, like a worn bar?

The bar looks OK to me, and I use a filing jig to sharpen the teeth on the bar, so I get the same angle each side. It cuts straight when newly sharpened, but after a little while the cut
goes off kilter.

I'm cutting up a bunch of dead elm . That stuff is kinda hard on blades!


Charlie
"Everybody was gone when I arrived but I decided to stick around until I could figure out why I was there !"

DanG

Hey Charlie! Where ya been? ???  I wuz about ready ta ask Tom to go check on ya.

I ain't no chainsaw ex-spurt, but my unnerstanding is that it can be either one.  If the slot in the bar gets wallered out too much, it will cause the cut to wander. Also, if the teeth ain't sharpened iggzackly the same, it'll cause the same problem.  Somebody said it was the difference in filing with different hands, that being the right one and the left one, with one being stronger than the other, but I turn my saw around and file both sides the same way. It don't seem to help none. :-/
I'll shut up now, and leave this answer to somebody that knows what they're talking about. I just wanted to say Welcome back from wherever it is you been at. :)
"I don't feel like an old man.  I feel like a young man who has something wrong with him."  Dick Cavett
"Beat not thy sword into a plowshare, rather beat the sword of thine enemy into a plowshare."

CHARLIE

Thanks DanG.  I've been hanging around a little bit but have been gone quite a bit lately.  November was a bad month and I had to make a trip to Florida. Then came home just to turn around and go back down there for Christmas with my wife's family in Okeechobee. Just got back.
Charlie
"Everybody was gone when I arrived but I decided to stick around until I could figure out why I was there !"

Minnesota_boy

I've cut with some bars that were really worn and if the chain was really sharp, they cut straight.  I've used new bars with a chain that was a bit dull and they would try to cut a circle.  The bar should be nothing but a place for the chain to ride in, not something to guide the chain, IMHO. (in my humble opinion)
I eat a high-fiber diet.  Lots of sawdust!

Kevin

The bar must match the chain, the cutters should be the same length, the bottom of the chain links should not be badly worn, the bar rails should not be spread or uneven.

slowzuki

I've been told another thing is the chipper length (cutting edge to back of tooth) needs to be equal all around.

KDEC19

I would think that the chain is improperly sharpened.  If one side say the left cutters are sharper the chain will cut better with that side and the cut will be affected.  The chain needs to be sharpened on some grinder that can bring all the cutters to the same size and shape.  whenever my chains start to wander I re grind them on the wheel and it cures the problem.  hope this helps Keith d> :D
gonna do it again......

qatanlison

kdec19 is right about the bar drawing toward the side with the sharper teeth. If the teeth seem equal in length check out the bar-groove, if the chain wiggles like a loose tooth throw it in the bin, the bar that is.

/Ola

jokers

Another thing to look for is the relative height of the depth gauges. If the teeth are unequal length side to side but the rakers are filed with a guide like the Oregon, the gauges will be averaged and consequently too high for the shorter side. This will give the same affect as one sides cutters being sharper. You may see a similar effect on chains whose gauges have been machine ground. Because of where the wheel contacts the gauges on opposing sides, the gauges will be ground to different heights. If hand filing, pick a direction, ie; inside to out, and file both sides this way.

A chain which has different length teeth side to side can still cut straight as long as the depth gauges are set right and the teeth are sharp. The best tools that I have found to accomplish accurate setting of the gauges are the Husky tool and the Carlton File-O-Plate.

Russ

Stan

Check the top and corner of each tooth. If they show a chip, they are duller than the others and will influence the direction of the cut. I guess if there are an equal number of damaged teeth on each side the saw would cut straight, but I've never seen that.  :-/
I may have been born on a turnip truck, but I didn't just fall off.

tony_marks

  just a guess..could u be getting the cutters on one side
  thinner .. thus causing the edges to break on the dead wood..
 a machine should let uknow iif its your filing.. good luck..

Michael

My idea is take off the bar, inspect it. Is it worn so the drive links wiggle in the slot? Put a straight edge on it. Is it exactly level and both rails even? Check to see if the drive links are hitting in the bottom of the slot. If they do the chain will slant over and not cut straight. I am sure you have already checked for the correct gage. A shop can rebuild the bar and you will be surprised at how good it will cut again. Mike
If you need saws or parts I may be able to help.

CHARLIE

Thanks to everyone for their help!  I really appreciate it very much.

Charlie
Charlie
"Everybody was gone when I arrived but I decided to stick around until I could figure out why I was there !"

Oregon_Rob

Charlie,
Got a second chain? If you don't, probably should have. Anyway, find a different chain, new would be best and give it a go. that will tell you real quick if it is the chain or the bar. Or have the shop regrind your existing chain.

Rob
Chainsaw Nerd

CHARLIE

That sounds like a good idea.  It's a friend of mine that is having the trouble and I'll mention  that to him. Thanks!
Charlie
"Everybody was gone when I arrived but I decided to stick around until I could figure out why I was there !"

SwampDonkey

Hiya's:

In my experience if your free hand sharpening a chain, use Oregon chains, or similar. These chains have a line etched on the top of the tooth, indicating the angle to sharpen the tooth. Make sure you hold the file level and pull upward with a slight pressure as you draw the file toward you. You shouldn't require more than 3 or 4 draws unless your cutting into fences and hitting the ground or have dirty wood. Check the rakers after 6 or 7 sharpenings to see that they are slightly below the level of the teeth or you'll be rubbing instead of cutting wood. If your teeth aren't sharpened evenly and at the proper angle your going to be cutting in circles.
 ;D    ;D     ;D
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

Kevin

QuoteMake sure you hold the file level

Is that the same for chisel chain?   ;)

SwampDonkey

"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

Fish

Drop the file level 10 degrees for chisel.
   Fish
FISH

Mike_Barcaskey

I would think a slightly bent or twisted bar, more so than a bad chain, would be the culprit.
yes/no?
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

jokers

Hi Mike,

I can see where you might think that, but what you would more than likely have with a bent or twisted bar is chain binding and binding in the cut. Cutting "tobbagans" as Gypo would say, happens when one side of the chain is cutting faster. Whether it be due to uneven sharpening or excessive bar wear letting the chain wander to the side that is pulling more.

BTW, nice dead things. Sorry that I can`t tell for sure what they are, but you must be a true "man`s man". LOL  ;D

Russ

Mike_Barcaskey

jokers, raccoon from this year's trap line
I am lucky to scratch out a living outdoors

On the chain issue, when I first started cutting as a business, I assumed a wandering cut was due to my inattentiveness, as when I paid attention I could straighten it out.

Last summer I noticed one of my bars was bent (no binding)
so I took them all to the machine shop I use to work at. They have a laser checked straight edge made out of a "H" beam.
well half of my bars were bent/twisted.
I assumed this was the cause of any wandering cut

Timely with this thread, I picked up a batch of resharpened chains. The fellow uses a jig and grinding wheel. He is a retired machinist, so I would think he could get it right.

Well one of the 20" chains on my 036 pro was cutting about 3-4 inches to the right thru a 20" white pine log.

The next day I flipped the bar and put a new chain on. It cuts better, not perfect, this time through red oak.

I dont have this problem much, but when I do it upsets me so >:(
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

L. Wakefield

   I definitely had that problem when my chain needed sharpening- it was made worse by my torqueing a little bit to get it to cut- and then it didn't cut straight.

   But I'm still new enough at using a chainsaw that I can hold even a sharp saw wrong and it won't cut straight. I find then I just  have to line myself up right and the problem goes away. It happens when I'm cutting something at a strange angle and I can't see it really well.  lw
L. Wakefield, owner and operator of the beastly truck Heretik, that refuses to stay between the lines when parking

Minnesota_boy

L. Wakefield,
Don't fret about it.  After a couple thousand more hours, it will just come natural.  :D :D :o
I eat a high-fiber diet.  Lots of sawdust!

tony_marks

 speakin o them bow bars .. anybody got a good something they want a trade for one.. idont use it .. noticed it in the truck yesterday.. came off an 650 evl echo.

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