Time

10 minutes

Complexity

Beginner

Cost

$0

Introduction

Proper chain tension is key to optimal chainsaw cutting and safety. While it may seem intimidating at first, tightening the chain on a chainsaw is actually quite simple once you know the steps. I used to avoid using my chainsaw because I didn't feel confident tightening the chain. But after receiving some helpful advice from a neighbor, it quickly became just another maintenance task I could easily tackle.

In this guide, we'll provide you with a comprehensive, step-by-step process for tightening a chainsaw chain, with expert tips from Bob Cain from Bob's Small Engine Repair and Jason Smith from Westfield Equipment Service.

How Tight Should a Chainsaw Chain Be?

A chainsaw chain should be tight but not too tight. When properly tightened, the chain should pull away from the guide about 3/16-inch. It should also move freely across the bar without falling off. "As you tighten it, stop and pull the chain. It shouldn't come down very far off the bar," Cain says.

Safety Precautions

To avoid burns, wait until the chainsaw has cooled before attempting to tighten the chain. Always engage the brake and wear gloves when tightening and check for proper tightness before using the saw.

When to Call a Pro

Smith recommends taking your chainsaw to a professional "anytime it's not cutting as it should." He says this includes if the saw is cutting sideways, smokes more than usual or produces more saw dust than wood chips. "It may be time to swap the chain, and it's best to bring it to a pro," he adds. If you're unsure of how to tighten a chainsaw chain and do not feel confident in your ability, bring it to a pro for tightening.

Tools Required

  • Adjustable wrench
  • Flathead screwdriver
  • Protective work gloves
  • Scrench (chainsaw wrench)

Project step-by-step (4)

Step 1

Loosen the Bar Nuts

  • Engage the brake.
  • Locate the two nuts securing the chainsaw bar in place.
  • Use an adjustable wrench to loosen both nuts slightly. A quarter turn is usually enough. You’ll know the bar nuts are loose enough when you can move the chainsaw bar up and down freely.

How To Tighten A Chainsaw ChainAVIRAL GUPTA/FAMILY HANDYMAN

Step 2

Tighten the chain

  • Locate the tightening screw. This is usually found at the front or the side of the chain saw.
  • While pulling the tip of the bar up, use a scrench or flathead screwdriver to turn the screw clockwise. This extends the chainsaw bar forward, increasing tension on the chain.
  • Stop when you begin to feel resistance and check for tightness.
Step 3

Tighten the Bar Nuts

  • While lifting the tip of the bar up, use the adjustable wrench to tighten the bar nuts.
Step 4

Test Chain Tightness

  • Wearing work gloves, grasp the chain along the top of the bar, close to the engine.
  • Pull the chain along the bar toward the tip. The chain should move freely and remain close to the bar.
  • Grasp and pull the chain away from the bar. It should pull slightly (3/16 to 1/4-in.) away from the bar and return to the bar when released if properly tightened.
  • If the chain droops or falls off the bar when moved, start over and repeat all the steps until proper tightness is achieved.
  • If the chain does not move freely, it is too tight. Repeat the above steps, but loosen the tension screw.

FAQ

Can a chainsaw chain be too tight?

It is possible to overtighten, especially when learning how to tighten a chainsaw chain. If after tightening, the chain does not move freely across the guide, it’s too tight. “Overtightening can cause the chain to bind in the bar and the chain to wear out quickly,” Smith says.

How do you keep a chainsaw chain tight?

Stop periodically while working and check for chain tightness. “If your chain is hanging you need to tighten it,” Cain says. “As the chainsaw heats up, the chain stretches, and you’ll need to stop and tighten it.” There is no permanent solution to tightening a chainsaw, but rather a regular maintenance task.

About the Experts

  • Bob Cain owns Bob’s Small Engine Repair in Three Rivers, Massachusetts. He has over 25 years of experience fixing small engines.
  • Jason Smith manager of Westfield Equipment Service in Westfield, Massachusetts. He has over 25 years of experience in the industry.
Author
Laurie M Nichols
Laurie M. Nichols is a registered contractor in the State of Massachusetts and the owner of a home repair business since 2016. She is also a real estate investor who buys, rehabs and rents multifamily properties, since 2009. Laurie draws on her experience, and home repair and improvement skills, to write articles for Family Handyman. When she's not...
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Laurie M Nichols