How To Install a Chain Saw Blade? – Complete Review

Chain saw blades are an important part of the chain saw. They need to be installed properly in order to make sure the blade is working correctly and not causing any damage. In this article, we will be discussing how to install a chain saw blade. There are a few simple steps that you need to take in order to get the job done right. We will also be providing tips on how to keep your chain saw blade in good condition. Let’s get started!!

How To Install a Chain Saw Blade

Steps to install a Chain Saw Blade:

Before you can install a chain saw blade, you need to make sure that the chain saw is turned off and unplugged. The reason for this is that it isn’t safe to work on a running or plugged-in machine. You also don’t want to get hurt doing the job because the machine suddenly turns on while you are working on it. It also needs to be cooled down before you get started because the saw will be hot in order to make the cutting easier.

You want to start by placing your thumb in the middle of the underside of your chain saw bar so that it is resting in place and won’t move while you are adding the new blade. Then you need to pick up one half of your new chain saw blade with both hands and slip it into place just underneath your bar. The teeth should point downwards or towards where you actually cut wood when using your machine. After that, you simply need to take a screwdriver and tighten the nuts down on top of each bolt until they are completely tight against both sides of the metal guide plate below. You want to use your hands for this process because using an impact driver will strip the nuts.

Once that is done, you need to make sure that the chain brake is pushed down in order to keep it from grabbing when you start up your machine again. Now your blade should be in place and ready to go. Keep in mind that you may have to reverse these steps if you are taking off a blade instead of putting one on. That’s all there is to know about how to install a chain saw blade! 

Steps to Replace a Chainsaw Chain

Before you can replace a chainsaw chain, you need to make sure that the chainsaw is turned off and unplugged. The reason for this is that it isn’t safe to work on a running or plugged-in machine. You also don’t want to get hurt doing the job because the machine suddenly turns on while you are working on it. It also needs to be cooled down before you get started because the saw will be hot in order to make the cutting easier.

Step 1: Remove the Old Chainsaw Chain

You want to start by inserting your thumbnail into the large hole in one of the rivet heads on the old chainsaw chain which you need to remove. Rotate your thumbnail counterclockwise in order to begin removing it because this will act as an anchor so that the rest of the rivet doesn’t rotate too much. Then, take a pair of needle-nose pliers and grip onto the head of the rivet so that you can twist it all the way out in order to detach it from your saw blade completely. Repeat this step until all but one rivet is removed.

Step 2: Release the Chain Tension: 

After that, release the chain tension by inserting one end of your chainsaw bar into the slot on your saw base. Then, take a look at the guide bar which runs alongside it in order to determine where you need to place it so that it is overlapping all teeth equally. Grab your wrench and insert its curved tip between two teeth on both sides of the guide bar before turning them counterclockwise several times in order to release some chain slack. After doing this with just one side then do it to the other side as well before taking out the chain completely.

Step 3: Install Your New Chainsaw Chain

You can now install your new chainsaw chain by holding onto one end with your thumb and rotating it clockwise until it stops right before you get to the section of your guide bar where the rivets are. Place the new chain on top of this spot so that your guide bar can fit into it exactly. Then, hold onto both ends of your chainsaw with one hand while gripping your wrench in the other so that you can insert its curved tip between two teeth on both sides of the saw blade before turning them clockwise several times in order to tighten up your new chain. After doing this with just one side then do it to the other side as well before completing the installation by placing each rivet back where they belong and tightening down on them with a pair of needle-nose pliers or some other similar tool.

Step 4: Test Your New Chainsaw Chain:

After doing this then it is time to test your new chainsaw chain. Turn the chainsaw on and run it for a little bit until you can see that the entire thing works fine. This step isn’t necessary but if your saw doesn’t start up right away then you may need to adjust the tension by tightening or loosening its bar, depending on how easy or difficult this process was for you. Some owners choose to retighten their saw after using it several times in order to give it extra security against any problems down the line. But ultimately, this is up to each owner’s discretion.

Step 5: Reinstall Your Old Chainsaw Chain

Once you are satisfied with your new chainsaw chain, you can reinstall the one that you removed and turn your chainsaw on to test it out. If it isn’t cutting through wood like it used to then you will need to replace it again in the future because this process won’t fix a defective chain; it simply restores its sharpness so that it cuts through wood easily instead of dragging across it and getting stuck.   

Safety Tips

One thing which many people forget when installing their new chain saw blades is to properly lubricate each bolt before screwing it into place with the wrench. The reason for this is because if they don’t the saw blade may become loose which is extremely dangerous. This can cause it to fly off while you are using the machine, so be careful to apply a small amount of WD-40 to each bolt before putting them into your guide plate where they belong.

If you need to remove the chain saw blade then you should loosen all three bolts but do not remove them just yet. After that, take whatever tool you have at hand and push it down on the metal bar which runs alongside the chainsaw blade in order to lift up the chain. The last thing you want to do is use an impact driver because this can actually damage your new chain saw blade completely by stripping its nuts if they are tightened too much. Always make sure that your work area is clean when you are getting started in order to avoid injury.

Lastly, if your chain saw blade is really dull then it is possible that the reason why you are having issues with it is that it can’t cut properly. You may need to hone your blade in order to restore its sharpness so that it cuts through wood easily instead of dragging across it and getting stuck.

Final Thoughts

The chain saw blade has a round hole in the middle of it that should line up with the center of your bar. To install, you’ll need to use one hand to hold the end of the bar against your work surface and then push down on both ends of the blade until it clicks into place. Once installed, make sure there’s no slack between where you are gripping at either end before starting to cut wood. If everything is good-to-go, start cutting!