How To Measure A Chainsaw Bar. Size & Length Guide

How To Measure A Chainsaw Bar. A Size Guide For Your Bar And Chain

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Chainsaws are a classic tool for harvesting firewoods. No matter the make or model, chains and bars will still wear. The most frequently asked question is about the dimensions of the components and saw bars.

Our woodworkers are here to share their knowledge on how to measure a chainsaw bar, as well as other important points to remember.

How To Measure A Chainsaw Bar

To get the correct replacement bar, you need to measure your chainsaw bars. It is common for chainsaw owners not to remember their bars, especially if they are second-hand.

To get exact specifications, make sure the manual is still in its original form. You should consider the length of the bar, cutting length, and the parts that have been coming out before you calculate the measurement.

Safety Tips Before You Start

Preventative measures should be taken before you start any operation.

Always wear gloves. Make sure they are thick enough to protect your hands from any debris or the blade from falling out. They should also be thin enough so that you can still feel the parts of the saw. Remove the battery from a lithium-ion-powered tool. Always unplug corded power tools.

Disassemble The Chainsaw

Step 1: Unplug the spark plug wire.

To prevent any accidents, don’t disassemble the chainsaw while the spark wire is still plugged. Instead, disconnect power from the plug by pulling it out of the port.

Step 2: Unscrew the bolts that hold the top cover to the body.

There are various bolt counts depending on the make and model of your chainsaw. To loosen bolts, attach a chainsaw wrench to the handle and turn it counterclockwise.

To prevent losing the delicate parts you will be using to tighten the case again, keep the bolts in safe storage

Step 3: Take out the chainsaw bar & chain.

Locate the nuts on the right side of the chainsaws by holding the clutch cover. Use the same wrench to unscrew both nuts and pull the chainsaw cover off. This will expose the inside of the machine as well as the chain bar.

To avoid problems when putting back chainsaws that have brakes, lock the position before you remove the cover.

How To Measure The Effective Cutting Length

Step 1

Keep a tape measure near the end of the bar to ensure that the cutter is closest to the body. To get precise cuts, make sure you use the same tape measure to determine the length effective.

Step 2

Measure from the point where the chainbar goes within the chainsaw body to its tip. Laying the bar flat on a table is the best way to determine the length. Remember that the cut length should not exceed the true length.

Step 3

Round your measurements to the nearest even number. Chainsaw bars are typically sold in even numbers. These include bars measuring 30 cm, 36cm, and 41cm.

After measuring, round the figure to get the even number. The length of the chainsaw bar should be 12 if you have measured 11 cm/20 cm.

How To Measure The True Length Of The Bar

Step 1

Lock the bolts. To determine the length of the bar’s true length, remove the bolts.

Step 2

Place the chainsaw on a flat surface. The chainsaw should be level. The measurement at the bar’s end from the chainsaw case to the tip should be laced. The bar’s true length is always about a few inches longer than its cutting length.

Step 3

Take the measurement of the bar. Measure the length of the chainsaw bar from the top to its end. This is a precise measurement, so don’t round it off to the nearest inch.

Standard chainsaw bars measure between 8 and 61 cm.

How To Measure The Chainsaw Chain

We recommend paying attention to the model number and manufacturer of the chainsaw when measuring your chainsaw.

We don’t recommend that you go to a store to buy a new one. Chains with the same length can vary from one manufacturer to the next.

Step 1: Measure your chainsaw pitch

The distance between the links of the chain or the point where the bar enters is the measure of the pitch. Use a measuring tape or a wood ruler to measure the distance between the links of your chain and the bar.

Divide the count and you will get your chain measurement pitch. Chain pitches are commonly between 1 and 2 inches.

Step 2: Count how many drive links you have.

It is easy to measure the dimensions of the drive link. Find the little bumps in the chains. Count every driver chain link on your chain. That is your drive link count.

Step 3: Use the caliper to determine the chain link gauge.

When measuring a chainsaw bar, it is important to measure the chain link gauge. The thickness of the drive link is used to measure the chain link gauge.

Use a caliper, multi-purpose gauge or a ruler to measure the length of your chain link gauge. Place the caliper in the location where the chain will fit.

Alternate Method: If You Don’t Have A Caliper, You Can Use Common Coins.

It is possible to measure the length of the chain link gauge even if you don’t have a caliper or a gauge. To determine the size, you can use the coin method.

To determine the size of your chainsaw’s gauge, slide a dime (0.050 in), a penny (0.058 in), or quarter (0.0663 in). Add the pitch and the drive links to determine the length of the chainsaw chain and bar.

How To Choose A Chainsaw Bar

You should always follow the instructions in your chainsaw user manual. The first is that blades can differ between electric chainsaws.

This will vary depending on the make and model of your chainsaw machine. It is important to make sure that your attachment surface and cover are compatible when replacing your chainsaw bar.

There are also certain options approved by the manufacturer. Only the approved chain and bar can be mounted. You can’t use any parts that are not approved by the manufacturer and it will invalidate your warranty.

Do I Need To Replace My Chainsaw Bar?

Continuous use of a bar will cause it to wear. The bar will eventually wear faster on the side that is used most often, but it’s possible to wear both ends equally if the bar is used in a reverse direction. If both the chainsaw bar and chain have worn down, or if burrs are causing uneven progress, replace them.

To maintain the chainsaw’s advancement, burrs should be filed regularly. It is normal for the sliding guide to wear down. However, if the bar is longer than 183 cm, which is the longest available, it might be more difficult to replace.

You can test if the bar is in need of a replacement by simply laying it flat and swinging your finger with the chain. If the bar swings strongly, it is time to replace the blade.

What Type Of Blade Can I Use With My Chainsaw’s Blade?

Each model comes with the right blade connector, so make sure you use the correct blade. Many chainsaw models come with different blade connections. These blades can be used in a variety of ways, so you need to take into account certain parameters.

As faulty parts can cause permanent damage, be sure to consider the width of the grooves on the chainsaw bars, the distance between the slots, and the location where the oil supply holes are located. The deflection star rails should have the appropriate chain pitch for the chain drive shaft.

What Does The Number On The Chainsaw Bar Mean?

These letters and numbers are the identification code for the saw. These numbers and letters are crucial in selecting the right chainsaw bar.

FAQ

How can you read the number on a chainsaw bar?

You must be able to read the sequence of numbers on a chainsaw bar. The length guide is followed by the first number.

The bar model is represented by the two letters immediately after the second number. The letter after that codes for the chain pitches or teeth is the letter after it.

(The Stihl Chainsaw Bar & Chain Size Chart also includes the bar numbers for many chainsaws.

Conclusion

There are many maintenance steps involved in purchasing a power tool. It is common to need to replace parts every now and again, especially if you do a lot of DIY projects.

It is important to be familiar with the key considerations and how to measure a bar for a chainsaw to ensure that your engine runs well and lasts a long time. If you are looking for the details of how to replace parts, this article will help.