Electric Chain Saw, trouble

[airann 1]

I borrowed my Mothers chain saw.
Texas Mom has a chain saw. Long line of independent women, here. Well, if you want it done right... Or in my case, only sort of good.

Ok, its this electric thing. So yesterday it jams up and I find out it is out of chain oil. Today I cant find the chain saw oil. Maybe I left it at my mothers.

So I figure some light oil will work. I grabbed a bottle - it looked like 10W-40 - I got my expresso ground holder and used it as a funnel. AND It comes out of the bottle pink. I thought that aint right. Well, it was transmission fluid. FK!!

I drained that out by putting it upside down. Then I was off looking for more light oil. I had some weed eater oil, but that is the kind you mix with gasoline.

So, I put mineral oil in it. I went out and I cut like 4 tiny limbs at once and ZING- the chain comes off.

I cant get it back on to save my life. I unscrewed all the various bolts and screws to retract the blade... it wont retrack. I cant thread it back on like you would a bicycle.

I will check back in a little while in case anyone knows whad up with the chain saw.... I would post this on the power tool place, but they take forever to answer back and they think I am a complete nut.
I can not tell if the blade is bent. I really dont think so. If it is, its not visable to the eye. I looked real hard and I dont see it. I may put a level on it to see. But who knows if the level is level.

My Mother never lets me borrow anything. She thinks I will bring it back all messed up and busted. Damn, my own Mother. Unbelievable.

~AirAnn~

[newshooter12 0]

What kind is it? you may be able to find the manual for it online.

[b1jercat 0]

HI Ann, there should be two nuts that hold the bar, 9/16 usually. and to adjust chain tension there should be a slot headed screw which will be inline with the bar.
Loosen the two nuts, (but don't take them off) until you can feel a little play in the bar. Turn the slotted screw ccw a few turns,at some point you should be able to move the bar backward and forwards. I usually turn the saw upside down so I can see the chain sprocket and start by putting the chain on the sprocket first. Than I work the chain into the bar and finish up rolling the chain around the nose of the bar.
Almost done, to complete the job you must next adjust the chain tension, by turning the slotted screw cw until there is about a 1/4- 1/2 inch play in the chain when you lift up on it in the middle of the bar.
than tighten the two nuts.

A couple of safety tips.

Never straddle the saw , keep it off to the side of your body.

Try to keep your work below you waist, once you get the saw above your waist you loose your leverage and kickbacks can be hazardous.

blues

jerry

[cvfd1399 0]

The only advise i can offer is to throw it away(far)and go get a a husky or a stihl

[akarunway 1]

Gawd. He'd really hurt himself w/ a real chainsawLOL

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

[Snowwhite 0]

what Jerry said, only make sure that after you put the chain on the bar, the teeth are going in the correct direction, and that you PULL the bar nearly taught, BEFORE you start to adjust the tension with the screws. There is only a little bit of play in the screws, but there is a LOT of play in the bar. If you can slide the chain all around the bar without it hanging up, you probably didn't bend the bar. It is hard to bend, but not impossible. Also, chain bar oil is NOT light oil it is pretty heavy, so go buy the right stuff at any hard ware store. Shouldn't cost much. Couple bucks tops. And for gosh sakes, do ALL of this with it unplugged!
I have a 16 inch and a 20 inch, but both are gas powered, so I do this every day.

skydiveTaylorville.org
freefallbeth@yahoo.com

[2fat2fly 0]

I hope I haven't overlooked someone else's response, but I don't think that light oil is your best bet. I use old motor oil for chain oil. Purchased oil is even thicker than that.

I am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried

[ltdiver 3]

Maybe you can PM Skymama and get her very capable and helpful neighbors to come over and help you out!

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[airann 1]

Oh Sweet- Thanks Jerry! And all of you.

About those kickbacks- oh yeah- nearly got my knee and hand yesterday. And my Pull hand at that.
I did decide to unplug it after a minute and when I found out it was going to take more than just a line up of the chain.

Damn thing is dangerous as hell.
And I am accident prone.
Painting, a while back, I broke some ribs.

Heh... I will be super careful. I have retired it for today. I will find something else to tear up.

I think I will look up that post from a while ago on how to wire up my new ceiling fan. Its just hangin there for almost a year. Several folks knew exactly how to do it. I think I found the correct breaker to turn off.

~AirAnn~

[Shawndiver 0]

Gawd, I hope this thread does'nt end up in the incidents forum...

Shawn

_________________

[Snowwhite 0]

Quote

Oh Sweet- Thanks Jerry! And all of you.

About those kickbacks- oh yeah- nearly got my knee and hand yesterday. And my Pull hand at that.
I did decide to unplug it after a minute and when I found out it was going to take more than just a line up of the chain.

Damn thing is dangerous as hell.
And I am accident prone.
Painting, a while back, I broke some ribs.

Heh... I will be super careful. I have retired it for today. I will find something else to tear up.

I think I will look up that post from a while ago on how to wire up my new ceiling fan. Its just hangin there for almost a year. Several folks knew exactly how to do it. I think I found the correct breaker to turn off.

When my husband helps with any home project, I always call the ER and ask what the hourly price is, figure that into the budget and VOILA! my estimates are usually dead on.
Let me know when you want me to come over and chop up stuff/hang your ceiling fan. Some of us do this stuff alot and are used to NOT getting hurt.

skydiveTaylorville.org
freefallbeth@yahoo.com

[airann 1]

Thanks for the help on my chain saw stuff, EVERYONE.

You were right- 2 screws at the blade and one on the sprocket. A screwdriver for leverage, and vavoom I am in business.

To my surprise, I finished today with all MY limbs attached. It took me 4-6 hours of hard labor and 3 days. I only have to do some touch up work and bail the left overs for the trash dude.

I did save some straight limbs, some with a fork to maybe build a rustic fence. I will likely stick some kinda vine on it for spring.

As for all my trees, their carefully considered limbs are now all cut for next years fire place (-smoke all in the house-) adventure. (note to self- open the damn flooo)

I did, about 1/4 of the way thru the job, obtained the proper oil. The proper oil is thicker.

I have the wood kinda stacked, mostly. And, get this. . . I bet I only get about 8-12, maybe 13 fires out of it. ... It looked like a giant amount of wood. Nope. Just a little meezely pile about 3 feet long and about thigh high.

At 2.50 for the store bought little bail of wood, That comes out to 1.666 jumps.

Well, I am now a really good chain saw operator. AND I know how to keep it running. That is really beneficial. It is a great thing to be able to post an inquiry and get proper information back. Skydivers, I just love us. We are good people.

I will have to put this chain saw skill on my resume. LOL

Thanks for your helpful input, I appreciate it.
Best of the Blue ~Ann

~AirAnn~