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Your chainsaw bar is undoubtedly one of the most important components of the chainsaw.
Therefore, understanding when to replace it is just as important.
When is it Time to Replace My Chainsaw Bar?
Below are a few signs or indications that your chainsaw bar needs replacing.
- Lay The Bar Straight To Check For Warping
- Sprocket Tips Will Bend Eventually Under Constant High Speeds
- Clean The Bar And Inspect For Cracks
How to Know When it’s Time to Replace Your Chainsaw Bar
Chainsaw bars can last a long time if you properly maintain them. However, if you suspect yours is broken, here are a few ways to tell if your chainsaw bar needs to be replaced.
Is Your Bar Straight Or Warped?
Warping or a bent bar can often be fixed if caught on time before most damage is caused. Below is a simple test on how to tell if it’s bent.
Ensure that the bar is clean and free from the chainsaw, and inspect any bends using your hand. You can then raise the bar to your eye and directly stare down the bar and check for anymore bends.
If there are bends, this can be fixed with slight pressure, but most people tend to replace them.
A Weak Sprocket Tip
If you have a sprocket tip chainsaw, you’ll know that they can create some high speeds and power for your chainsaw, which in turn makes them more likely to weaken over time.
Sprocket bars have more of a chance of wearing away and becoming weaker because they support such high speeds and power and are the main reason why these bars are replaced so often.
Warping Usually Leads To Cracks
We had mentioned that it’s possible to fix a bent bar, but it often leads to more trouble than good.
Warping of your bar indicates that the bar is weakened and it’s been compromised; in turn, when most people are attempting to fix the bar, they don’t notice the small cracks, and it simply shatters in front of their eyes.
Before working on your bent bar, look out for cracks up the bar shaft or on the edges.
How to Choose a Replacement Bar
Knowing what to look for is important when you’re replacing your bar; ideally, you’d know by now what worked for you with your old bar. However, below are a few things to consider when bar shopping.
Determine The Bar Length - The length of your bar determines what thicknesses of wood you can cut; the general rule of thumb is that to get the length, you should take the thickness of the wood and add 2-inches to that number.
Ask Yourself, "What Material is it Made From?" - You can choose from either a single steel chainsaw bar or a bar made from two steel rails separated by a sprocket.
What Type of Nose Do I Need? - A hard nose bar is just a standard bar with no extra features. However, you can also choose a sprocket nose, which can be replaced and provides greater speeds and more power.
Conclusion
Chainsaw bars are an integral part of the chainsaw experience, and it can be tragic when you break your favorite bar because shopping for a new one can be a pain.
However, if you follow the key points we’ve mentioned above, you’ll be able to get a suitable bar in no time.