[Shop-talk] chain saw cuts curves...?

[Eric Murray]

On Wed, May 13, 2009 at 06:48:10PM -0400, Eric J Russell wrote:
> My 16" Craftsman chain saw is cutting curves. The blade is wandering to the
> left. After an inch or two, the blade binds and I can't complete a cut. I
> tried replacing the chain (one that had been re-sharpened at a local hardware
> store) thinking that perhaps the 'teeth' had been damaged along one side but
> that has not fixed it. I suppose I could have two defective chains but, before
> I buy a new chain, is there something else I am missing?
> 
> In case my description is inadequate, while attempting to cut some landscape
> timbers for a retaining wall, the cut is straight across top of the timber but
> looks like a comma on the vertical side of the timber.
> 


Usually that's because the chain has been sharpened incorrectly.

But a new chain shouldn't have that problem.  So I would instead look
at the bar, on the bottom side where you cut the most.  If it has worn
more on one side than the other, the chain won't run square to the
bar and will cut crooked.

A bar that's worn out might do this if the hardened surface is worn away
on one side.

Eric