I am embarrassed to admit, as mechanically minded as I am, totally overlooked this. Appreciate the vid! 👍🏼

@JamesTheForester

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Stay safe!

@wlan246

Жыл бұрын

Same. As soon as he said, "and you then stop," I had the same realization. Good advice!

@doncook3584

Жыл бұрын

72 years old I confess always did it wrong. Many thanks

@reiniernn9071

Жыл бұрын

Also for me....but I did not overlook the cooling of the chasin....I assumed that the blade also was heated enough so both would have to shrink within a little margin tha same. It seems I was wromg.

@ianjamison5460

Жыл бұрын

Ha, adding myself to this list, have done exactly this a few times.

been around chainsaws my entire life and this is one of those tips that lets you know your never too old to learn. Thanks for posting

@JamesTheForester

7 ай бұрын

Glad to help ☺

@garsyca

Ай бұрын

Excellent advise! Something so logic in physics and we don't pay attention. Thank you for share this warning. 🤗👍

@jamieteal2107

5 күн бұрын

@@JamesTheForesterabsolutely so glad l came across this 👍🇦🇺

@JamesTheForester

5 күн бұрын

Thank you 😊

I was a forester for the US forest service and a wild land firefighter. Good tip, another missed item is the bar sprocket lube holes for grease, some bars will have little holes near the end sprocket and they should have grease pushed into them until it squeezes out of the sprocket when you gas the saw and check tension. Another missed lube point is the drive sprocket under the chain cover, if it has a hole in the middle of the stud put grease there also, not a huge amount just a few pushes of the chain saw grease gun with the tapered tip, this will lube the drive bearing. Side note, if you are doing a lot of work cutting and stop to sharpen flip the bar over to even out the bar wear and clean the chain groove while you do that.

@iffykidmn8170

Жыл бұрын

and any grit and such in the hole has the potential to be pushed into the bearing.

@user-vm2jx9qf5u

Жыл бұрын

I am a wild land firefighter and forester since 2004. I NEVER grease the end bearings. They get bar oil. Once you grease them, the spinning forms a well which blocks the oil from getting to them. So once you grease, you always have to grease them. Just don’t grease them and you will be fine. 👍

@jackyhallmark3094

Жыл бұрын

Best advice I was ever given was to throw away the bar with the end sprocket and get a solid hard nose bar. Don't have any with rollers and probably never will.

@philliphall5198

7 ай бұрын

If the bar doesn’t have a lube hole don’t buy it 😊

I used to cut professionally in northern Michigan and this is a commonly overlooked procedure by even pro loggers and the like. Fortunately I was taught by a very knowledgeable and experienced man and this very thing was one of the things he stressed daily. With so many people using saws at home or on farms, they may never cut enough at in one go for them to notice this but I can tell you that there were more than a couple pros out there in the woods with us that blew apart their drive bearings and overheated many bars by not knowing this particular process. Thank you for sharing this and taking the time to explain the mechanics behind it for everyone who may not be as versed in the many nuances of running saws.

@feegureeetout

8 ай бұрын

Seems like it would be magnified with longer bars. Hence, more concerned with commercial cutters.

@traviscarr6536

6 ай бұрын

I use to cut professionally and after awhile I decided I’d start cutting amateurishly. Lot more work cutting as an inexperienced saw operator. I figure one of these days I’ll pick it back up professionally.

Been cutting over 45 years and never knew this. Probably has A LOT to do with my bars not lasting as long as I believe they should and excessive wear on the sprocket! I have a relatively new chain on the saw now, will pay close attention. Thank you for posting the information in a clear way!

@JamesTheForester

Жыл бұрын

No problem 😊

@stevebabiak6997

Жыл бұрын

@@pedtrog6443 - the paint removed around the edge of the bar is probably due to a too loose chain jumping off the bar.

@chucklutter7399

11 ай бұрын

@@stevebabiak6997 thanks, I do have a tendency to run the chain loose.

@shperax

8 ай бұрын

More bars are destroyed from running a chain loose rather than too tight. A proper working saw is nearly impossible to get the chain too tight. I've worked on thousands of every brand but specifically Stihl. I worked as a Stihl Platinum service tech for 20 years. If your saw is bogging, the last thing you should be worried about is chain tightness. It's most likely other issues. Way too many people run their chain way too loose. It's easy to tell when near the bar tip has an indent.

@adamb1671

7 ай бұрын

Would be a lot simpler to have a pretensioned lever to reduce the slack when finished.

An over-tight chain will make a high pitched whistling sound and that’s a tell-tale sign to listen for. Loosening a hot chain while it cools (meal breaks or at the end of work) is a critical piece of maintenance especially if you’re cutting at low winter temperatures and the cooling can be very rapid.

@JamesTheForester

Жыл бұрын

Great advice. Thanks for sharing. 👍🙂

@davidcarper5411

Жыл бұрын

It creates too much friction and heat too..

Hi, Excellent information! I was a chainsaw dealer in the seventies. I wouldn't sell a saw unless the buyers 1) were phisically capable of handling the saw (no kids or grand mothers) and 2) they had to take my Saw and Safety course before they got their saws. I didn'' want anyone getting hurt. I used to teach adjusting the chain by losening the chain, holding the bar tip up, tightening the chain until it just kissed the bar and then locking the bar attachment bolts. Lastly, make sure the chain pulls around freely. Always do that last step before starting or cutting. Your explanation of expansion and contraction is spot on. Thanks! Shalom/gw

@JamesTheForester

Жыл бұрын

Hey bud. Great advice there 👍 thanks for the comment!

@earljohnson7675

Жыл бұрын

Shalom

@iffykidmn8170

Жыл бұрын

I take it you only sold chainsaws to those who had never ran a chainsaw before.

@rustic35

10 ай бұрын

😂😂

@joshmckay-gg5qc

9 ай бұрын

⁠@@Dr.LongMonkeycause they are fucking dangerous. I taught both my kids to use steak knives at 5 years old. Chainsaws will be taught at 15

I’ve watched 100’s of chain saw videos and no one ever explained this. This happened to me and I could not figure out why the saw was bogging down. Tore it apart and changed the carb. Worked fine for a few hours, went back to work and same thing. I finally decided to not use the saw more than a couple hours a day on a project on my property. Now I know. Thank you!

Bought my first chain saw a few weeks ago, I actually read the manual and this was explained right in there.

If your chain gets that hot you have other problems, usually lack of oil or clogged channel or oil holes. After sawing for the day I take my saw apart, clean out the channel, clean out the clutch (important) and covers. I sharpen the chain and put it back together for the next day. Wet chain will rust. I keep my spare chains in a pot of oil and stick my bars in it to keep the rollers oiled. If you have your chain too lose then the slack is taken up by it riding up the chain sprocket and you wear out the ends.

@JamesTheForester

Жыл бұрын

All great advice! Thanks for the comment 👍

I'm turning 65 soon and used saws well over 40 years. I learned something important. Thank you

This is the best chainsaw information I’ve ever received from maintenance primarily because I just experienced this on the weekend, and couldn’t figure out why the chain was reacting the way it was. I think you just saved my chainsaw. Thank you for this!👍

@JamesTheForester

11 ай бұрын

Great to hear!

@ericwiltz6584

6 ай бұрын

Another note is spare parts: at least one nut, drive sprocket, needle bearing, plug and air filter, felling wedges. Just great to have on hand. I never leave home without two bars as well.. I've cut professionally for many years and everyone gets a pinch now and then and the easiest way is to cut yourself a relieve cut.

@JamesTheForester

Ай бұрын

Yes. Sprocket cover nuts. My favourite thing to lose!

Now I know. Have been puzzled by this for years and didn’t understand what should have obvious. Best advice I’ve ever had on chainsaw maintenance. Thanks !

Something you wouldn’t think about but obvious when pointed out. Thanks for the tip. 👍

@JamesTheForester

10 күн бұрын

Happy to help!

Someone said we should do that, but didn’t say why. Thank you, it makes perfect sense now.

@JamesTheForester

7 ай бұрын

No problem 😊

I’ve always made a point of doing this each and every time I’ve finished using the saw and am surprised to see this very important tip on a video for the first time. I’m sure you have just highlighted this for many who were unaware of its importance. Well done sir!

I'm an auto mechanic, and I know a little bit about how temperature effects tolerances. When I bought my first chainsaw I noticed how the chain became slack after an hour of continuous cutting, but I knew that at least some of this had to be from heating the metal. I did not stop to adjust the chain tension. I just let it cool completely down and sure enough it did not need any adjustment.

Anyone who uses a chainsaw seriously which means you have a proper commercial machine with a heavier chain knows that every tank you sharpen the chain properly and you adjust it and periodically remove the cover and bar clean reset dress and lubricate it. Chains shouldn't get too hot if they are really sharp cutting quickly and bar oil lubrication working properly. A hot chain is generally a blunt chain from bad practice. Unless your using a toy saw.

I've noticed this and was surprised to find so little information on thermal expansion / contraction! GOOD JOB!!

Great idea and something most people would never think about. Usually my last cuts leave the chain in a loose way so I put it away without tightening. But now that I'm aware of this I will check and make sure. Thank you for making this video.

Good video. I was a Territorial Force (TF) Royal New Zealand Engineer from 1984-96. We were taught to tighten chainsaw chains as necessary and to ease them off when we stopped for a break, at SME, Linton Military Camp, in October 1984. I am still surprised, at times, when I encounter chainsaw users who either were not trained to do this OR who were too damned idle to read the owner’s manual. It does not matter whether you have a modern single-screw chain cover or the older style two-screw cover. Taking the time to release chain tension also means that you look over the entire saw. I once noticed that a machine screw (when the thread goes all the way to the head, it is a machine screw instead of a bolt) had come away from the starter cord housing on my XP540 and another screw was about to fall out, when l went to let off the chain tension.

@JamesTheForester

Жыл бұрын

Great stuff. Thanks for the comment 👍 😀

@chucklutter7399

Жыл бұрын

Great comment, lost one of my bucking teeth because all I looked at was the gas and oil.

Yep, I’ve been doing this incorrectly almost exactly as you described. Thanks for the vid!

@JamesTheForester

Жыл бұрын

Glad it helped!

@anthonynewton1684

Жыл бұрын

this is explained in the Stihl hand book,I have been doing this since the first time I used a chainsaw that was thirty years ago,So yes very important and good maintenance tip👍

Damn. I've been using chainsaws for 15 years, and have never thought of this, but I have experienced the described problem with three of my five chainsaws. It makes perfect sense watching this video. Thanks alot! That's sound advice and a life saver regarding the chainsaw. I'll head over to my workshop right away and take the tension off (used two of them earlier today) 👍

Well, I learned something new today after using chainsaws for 15 years! Thanks for the video, I'll be paying more attention to my chain tension now.

Great video. You can actually feel the saw struggling if you're paying attention. I always leave the chain with just a bit of sag in it. Not enough to be a sloppy fit, but just enough to feel the saw rev freely.

Just got my first chain saw earlier this year a Husqvarna 445 and the second time I used it the chain was really tight didn't want to even move. Now I realize why as I had adjusted the chain tighter after 30min of using it the first time. Thanks for the great video

Like many of the other commenters I was not aware of this. Great tip, thank you. Stay safe, Joe Z

Thanks James, this is something else I've learnt today about my chainsaw. As a long time hobbyist user, I never thought about loosening the chain after use. I will from now on. Safe Chainsawing.

@alansutton2858

Жыл бұрын

If you didn’t adjust it while it was hot? You won’t need to loosen it off at the end of the day. It just returns to how you set it in the morning when cold.

Same exact thing happened to me on my first use of my new chainsaw. Thankfully I realized what was happening before i went out and used it. Thanks for sharing!

I did not know this and just about a week ago I bought a new chain for my chainsaw. It did in fact keep listening up and I did in fact keep tightening it. As I watch this, I pulled out my chainsaw and it the chain is very tight. Thank you. Very informative video.

I’ve can’t tell you how many chainsaw videos I’ve watched, and nobody has mentioned this. Thanks for the tip!

Learn something new every day. Thanks, brother man. 👍

@JamesTheForester

Жыл бұрын

Glad to help ☺

@markarita3

Жыл бұрын

Nice avatar 🙂

I was very lucky that the after sales guy that set up my new MS-230 at the agri store gave me the 60 second do’s and don’ts run down after he’d fitted the bar and tested the saw for me and it included this tip.

I have used chainsaw for 30 years, but i have never thought about this, but it make sense.

@JamesTheForester

4 сағат бұрын

Thanks for the kind words 😊

Sir, you just gained another subscriber. I'm embarrassed to admit this never occurred to me, nor was it taught when I was a full- time arborist. I knew where you were going with this during the coffee break...🤔🤦‍♂️😂🙌👍👍

I read about this in some form. I always check the tension before using it. I keep over tightening in mind. I'm a new user BTW. Did lots of reading (especially the manual) and watching before ever starting my saw. Good reminder to ease off tension if you tighten it during use.

I've only been cutting firewood for home in the last couple of years and I've watched a lot of KZread videos on "how to's". I'm so happy that I came across this video. Thank you so much for this great advice 👍🙏

@JamesTheForester

9 ай бұрын

Glad to help ☺

Ran outside in the freezing cold to sort this out after a session today, It was tight! Thanks

@JamesTheForester

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome. Glad it was helpful!

Forty=five years of chain saw use and I never figured this out. Thank you, James

@JamesTheForester

10 ай бұрын

No problem!

Excellent information! Also, adjust your chain with the saw’s nose sitting on a block of wood so when you tighten the adjusting nuts, the bar is in its uppermost position.

@karlrovey

Жыл бұрын

Most manuals say to pull up on the tip of the bar while adjusting the chain.

Last Friday i was given a relatively good condition MS381. I started it no worries, but the chain was loose. Now I know why. Cheers mate. Good video

@JamesTheForester

10 ай бұрын

Glad it helped!

I think I’ve been very careful of over tightening through the many years, been cognizant of the fact that almost everything in our world experiences expansion and contraction through heat and cooling, but never thought of how it could affect my chain. Brilliant, and thanks a bunch.

@JamesTheForester

8 ай бұрын

😊 glad it was helpful

I had to figure this out through experience and observation. It is spot on fact. Curious that it’s not addressed more often in tutorials.

I have been making this error for years. Thanks for bringing it to mind.

Beware the fatal shrinking chain 😳 I sharpen my chain after use and have it ready to go next time. Have avoided the dreaded shrink monster for 25 years so far

Outstanding advice, thank you so much, I just bought a new saw and am so happy I stumbled across this video!

I;m 80 and have been cutting wood all my life, and didn't even think about this. Thank you sir.

The Stihl book for my MS 261 saw covers this, never thought about it for 50 years, but now I slacken all the saw chains when I'm done for the day. Good Job!

@JamesTheForester

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@twobeards6714

Жыл бұрын

Got that saw... It's a lightweight monster. I always slack the chain when the saw goes on break or into storage.

Thanks for sharing! Really helpful. Didnt think about the chain shrinking & expanding.

As soon as I clicked on your video I realized what you were going to say and that I had completely missed it for years.

Fancy that,a precise,informative,on subject video,now it all makes sense!@76yrs.l can take it on board and ,maybe,save a few dollars! Thanks mate,Tasmania.

@JamesTheForester

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

It’s actually mentioned in the Owners Manual 😂. But the title to your video is much more eye catching, I have to admit. Also that your explanation is much more convincing than that of the Owners Manual too. Occasionally I remember to do this but when I’m dog tired, I forget. No Bull. Hey, thanks for this vid!

Words of wisdom from somebody who really knows this topic. I'm glad I found your video.

@JamesTheForester

6 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Excellent advice, and something I too overlooked on my saws. Thanks.

Great video sir. I run a tree business and I have learned the best chain tension is loose rather than "perfect" . A loose chain will help make room for the slow expanding bar when it finally comes to temp/length. This is especially true for larger saws 20 and above.

@JamesTheForester

5 ай бұрын

Great tip!

Thanks for sharing - great tip - I'm just a home user with not many hours under my belt yet. This is a gem. Cheers / Simon - Adelaide - Oz

I have just been in this situation (new chain = surprising amount of stretch) thank you for pointing this out!

This was really helpful. After several decades of using chainsaws, this recently happened to me. I subscribed.

@JamesTheForester

Жыл бұрын

Awesome, thank you!

I’m a new chainsaw user and have noticed this exact thing! Thanks for the professional explanation, that has reassured me a lot!

@JamesTheForester

7 ай бұрын

Glad to help! Thanks for the comment 👍

Makes total sense. My bows (traditional archery) ideally need to be unstrung till next use. Makes sense that a chain under tension with fluctuating temps affecting its metallurgical structure would need de-tensioning after each session..

Great share my friend....here it is in my laymen terms... The stretch is actually the chain link holes get worn from overheating and a lack of oil. Also, after each use at the end of the day, loosen the tension, to help prevent the hole and pins fron holding pressure on them and slow the " holes from wollering out. I found most of these clues from you and other people, so don't think I am an expert. Just sharing the knowledge I have been shown. Remember if this sounds odd, but having 70 and more links in a chain, and getting each hole say 1/16" each of hole wear, then add that up and you understand how the chain will be longer overall when installed and pulled to length. Metal expands when over heated. Just a litte simple math. Be safe out there and enjoy the great outdoors !

Thanks! Makes perfect sense. Never heard this before, even from the chainsaw store.

Obviously watching this after having killed my first chain... this exact way... thanks for the explanation! May the next chains benefit from your wisdom!

@JamesTheForester

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment ! Glad to have been a help. 👍

Excellent suggestion. Never thought of this before and I've been cutting for years, feeding our outdoor wood furnace. Thanks for the tip.

@JamesTheForester

2 ай бұрын

Glad to help ☺

Really glad i saw this ,resently started working with chain saws

My 5 year old ryobi died just recently and i've bought a lovely new Husqvarna. Never realised this and makes sense now i know. Cheers for the advice.👍

@JamesTheForester

5 ай бұрын

I'm glad to help. Best of luck with your new saw. Huskys are great bits of kit. 👍

Been using saws for years never thought about this..thanks for posting.

I've got myself an electric chain saw. I'm glad I found your channel, very informative!

@JamesTheForester

9 ай бұрын

Awesome! Thank you!🙂

Great tip, I have been using chainsaws or many years, and have never been told about that. makes perfect sense, once you see why. Thank you James.

@JamesTheForester

3 ай бұрын

Glad to help. Thanks for the comment 👍

I always check my oil, gas, and chain before running. But after watching, I think this might be a good idea to implement, with less tension on everything while not in use. I will still do my pre-check as always. Thanks for the tip.

@JamesTheForester

8 ай бұрын

Thank you! 😊

Well, learned something today. Actually, there is quite a bit I don't know about chainsaws and that scares me.

I’ll be buying my first chainsaw soon. Learning as much as possible regarding proper use and maintenance. Very help tip, thank you!

@JamesTheForester

3 ай бұрын

You're welcome 😊 thanks for the comment 👍

Very good video learned something new also let your saw warm up before gunning it because it will wear the cylinder wall out sooner.

Good advice and easy to overlook. I did like seeing you lift the bar when making the adjustment.

@JamesTheForester

9 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Great advice, I was never taught this until now, thank you.

@JamesTheForester

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Good point mate ,I’ll take that on board for future use thank you

Thanks for the Tip ! As I learned from trial and error I always spin tge chain on the bar to make sure it travels freely and easy ! But this took a bit of learning the hard way first !

@JamesTheForester

9 ай бұрын

😊 thanks!

Thank you for this! I use saws everyday and have never been taught this important piece of knowledge!

@JamesTheForester

7 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the comment!

Brother you just leveled up my game and about 30,000 other people as well! Thanks for this.

@JamesTheForester

2 ай бұрын

Glad I could help! 😊👍

Thanks for the eye sight and the brains to combine together into a thought.

Priceless advice. Thank you!!!

@JamesTheForester

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome 😊

From the first time I ever picked up a chainsaw I was not only taught this but I told if I didn't retension un untension the chain I would be wearing it in a very painful place. I have noticed the Stihl cordless saws have a quick no tool release system to make this procedure easier.

@JamesTheForester

7 ай бұрын

Great! Thanks for the comment 👍

An example of superior content. Thank you.

I do industrial maintenance and have spent many hours cutting firewood and I did not know this, great tip.

@JamesTheForester

8 ай бұрын

Glad to help. Thanks for the comment!

I never thought about heating of the chain and how I’ve been stretching my chains. Thank you for the video.

@JamesTheForester

3 ай бұрын

Glad to help

FINALLY! The answer to my long awaited question.

Thank you so much. I had no ideal, I just started using a chain saw. This was my problem.

I actually do this at the end of each usage. Good advice.

Thank you for this invaluable information!

@JamesTheForester

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the comment!

Excellent point, and I’ve just recently learned about it. I am sure that I’ve made a mistake and probably cost myself and the saw. dealers and anyone selling chainsaws should go out of their way to make people more aware of this, although I believe it is in the Stihl manuals.Really all you have to do is keep your chain tool handy ( something you should do anyway) and adjust your tension any time you’re stopping for a while, and anytime you’re starting up again after having stopped for a while. Once you’re aware of the right thing to do, it’s easy to develop some good habits. Thank you!

@JamesTheForester

7 ай бұрын

You're welcome. Many thanks for the comment 👍

Now I know why I managed to kill the tip roller in one of my bars! Great point!!

Many thanks for filling in a gap in my chainsaw knowledge. Much appreciated!

@JamesTheForester

11 ай бұрын

Glad to help

Super helpful information! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise!

@JamesTheForester

7 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Many thanks for the kind words 😊

Thank you. I believe this is what bent my 28" tsumara bar.

Good information. I always wondered why it wouldn't stay adjusted.

This is extremely good information,I experience this the other day, did not know what it was...thank you mate

@JamesTheForester

2 ай бұрын

No problem 👍

I've watched a lot of chainsaw videos. No one I've seen ever mentioned that. It makes sense. thanks

@JamesTheForester

Жыл бұрын

Glad to help

This was a great tip (on considering the sprocket & needle bearing) to finally become aware of this after years of using chainsaws is enlightening'... thanks

@JamesTheForester

7 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Did this my first day 25 years ago in Australia? My dad said, "You do that again. I'll flog you. Tip taken on board.

Thank you, this video popped up as looking at other non related chainsaw stuff, well very please I’ve learnt a new thing and hopefully saved my chainsaw for premature ware and tear in the future 😎😎😎😊