Chainsaw bars have tons of varieties and are available in tons of combinations. Further, there are different types along with sizes and features.
However, what is a chainsaw bar? We should have a clear idea about the chainsaw bar before knowing how to measure a chainsaw bar. Let us dive into the details.
What a Chainsaw Bar is?
A chainsaw bar guides the movement of the chainsaw. This can be called the chainsaw guide or even the chainsaw blade. Moreover, they have a work to give the chain a guided movement. You know that chain is the main cutting element of the chainsaw.
However, how can you measure one? There should be some way to measure the chainsaw bar. Further, where do you need to start the measurement from?
How To Measure a Chainsaw Bar?
You might consider the top distant part of the chainsaw bar to be the parameter of measurement of the bar itself. However, this is not the case here. You need to keep an eye on the cutting length to measure a chainsaw bar. Further, you need to find the useful length of the bar. Moreover, this part is the part that protrudes out of the body of the chainsaw.
You know that the chainsaw provides immense power. However, you might be thinking about how to utilize that power to its full potential. Can you cut a large trunk with it?
In the Efco Catalog, there are some examples of pruning chainsaw bars. They have a cutting length of 25 to 30 centimeters. This is shorter than the normal cutting range of 35 to 76 centimeters.
A gardening chainsaw bar like the MT 3500 S is impeccable for DIY projects and small gardening projects. Further, they have an approximate length of 35 to 41 centimeters. Moreover, they have a fixed spool too.
However, there are professional saws too like the model 162. This kind of chainsaw bars are optimized for heavy-duty works and have high powers too. They feature bars of length 38, 41, 46, and 51 centimeters. Further, they also come with a replaceable return spool or the fixed return spool.
So how to measure a chainsaw bar step by step. Let’s know them below.
Steps of Measuring The Chainsaw Bar
You can get the most accurate result of measuring a chainsaw bar by removing the chain and the blade itself. This is the best way to measure the chainsaw bar without any errors.
The work is pretty much simple and can be done with mediocre knowledge. Further, you will not lose tons of time with it as the work doesn’t take too long to be done. Moreover, you can also examine the chainsaw blade through this process for possible damage. You can replace the chainsaw bar if this one is damaged.
Let’s get into the steps of how to measure a chainsaw bar.
First Step
Remove the cover of the blade by removing the chainsaw housing. You can do this by removing the two nuts that are locked onto the housing situated around the handle along with socket sets.
You should know that these two nuts are the main thing that is securing the chainsaw cover. Further, you can easily remove the cover after removing the nuts at first. Now, you can see the whole drive bush along with the saw bar and chain.
Second Step
Relax the tension to pull away from the chain away from the bar. The tension wheel is located inside the chain bar. You can use a flathead screwdriver and unscrew to the left to release some tension. The chain will be pulled away. Now you need to remove the chain and get to the drive sprocket.
Third Step
Now, take off the chain and free the chainsaw bar. Further, you need to pull away from the chain from the drive sprocket. This will eventually get you off the chain.
Fourth Step
In this step, you need to examine if the chainsaw bar is in good condition. You need to replace the chainsaw bar if it is damaged. However, ignore if the chainsaw bar is in good condition.
Fifth Step
Now, you can easily measure the chainsaw bar with full accuracy.
However, which method is the best to measure the chainsaw bar? Let us discuss them below.
The Most Accurate Way To Measure
You can easily measure the chainsaw bar without any hassle. It is as simple as placing a measuring tape on the bottom of the bar and fix the tape at the top. This will give an actual length reading of the chainsaw bar.
Note that the blade and bar are both the same. Moreover, they are both used to describe the same term. Therefore, do not get confused with blade and bar considering them to be different. Furthermore, this is the same blade that does all the cutting processes for you.
There are different types of blade sizes. Some of the popular sizes are such as 16 inches, 18 inches, and 20 inches. However, there are sizes such as 42 inches too. Moreover, you might need to round up to the nearest 2 inches if you are to measure the length of the blade. Therefore, keep this in mind too.
This was all about how to measure a chainsaw bar.
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Conclusion
Now you know how to measure a chainsaw bar. There are tons of possible ways to do it. However, the simples method is given above. You do not need to be an expert to start this project. Further, simple knowledge is just enough to get you started.
Note that, you should change the blade if you notice it to be blunt. There are tons of aftermarket blades out there of different sizes. Purchase the size that is most accurate for you and your work.
Furthermore, some of the common blade sizes are 16 inches, 18 inches, and 20 inches.
However, there are blades that might measure as long as 40 inches too which is insane!
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