What to Do When Your Chainsaw Cuts Crooked

A chainsaw is a dangerous piece of equipment that can cause serious injury if it's not well maintained. Something as simple as it sputtering out at the wrong time can lead to you messing up your cut. A branch could break the wrong way, or your chainsaw could get stuck inside a tree.

Your chainsaw should cut straight and true. If it's curving or cutting crooked, then that could point to a few different problems. A chainsaw sharpener may be needed, or new cutting teeth altogether.

Here's what to do if you're having this problem with your power tool.

Reasons Your Chainsaw Cuts Crooked

What causes a chainsaw to cut crooked? The fault may lie with any part of the equipment or how you're using it. It could be due to a dull chain, uneven top plates, or even damaged cutting teeth.

Uneven Chain Sharpness or Dull Chain

Chopping firewood or trees down is done with the chains on a chainsaw. As such, the chains for a chainsaw need to be evenly sharpened, or they won't function as well as they should. Of course, you can say the same for any kind of bladed cutting instrument.

One way to limit how often you need to sharpen the chain is by investing in a quality one, such as a Stihl chainsaw chain.

Incorrect Chain Tension

Another factor that can cause a crooked cut is if your chain tension is wrong. Too tight a chain can cause too much pressure on it and cause damage. On the other hand, a chain that is too loose can derail itself and cause serious injury to the user.

Uneven Top Plates

The top plate is the cutting surface of the chainsaw. It should be parallel to the chain's centerline.

Worn Out Chainsaw Bar

A worn-out or damaged chainsaw bar can reduce the efficiency of your chainsaw. It's the part that holds and supports the chain. If it's not in good condition, then that directly affects the part of the device that does the cutting.

Damaged Cutting Teeth

Even if you know how to sharpen a chainsaw chain, that doesn't mean it's in perfect condition. It's possible that a few teeth have been damaged in the previous usage. This may have happened due to accidentally cutting dirt, stones, or any other hard object.

Improper Depth Gauge

An improper depth gauge can also cause inconsistent cuts. It's meant to provide a way to control the depth of your cut. You'll need to adjust this depth over time as you sharpen the chain and reduce the length of the cutting teeth.

Proper Way to Sharpen Chainsaw Chain

If the problem is with your chain, there are ways to fix it. These are some steps to take if you want to sharpen your chainsaw like a pro.

Step 1: Clean the Chain

The first step is to clean the chain of any grime or debris clinging to it.

If you leave any grime or oil on the chain, then that'll make it more difficult to sharpen or adjust. You want to avoid accidentally slicing open your hand. It's also vital that you have a tight grip if you're tightening it.

Soak it in a mixture of ammonia and water to break down the grease and residue. You can then rinse it off and dry it before replacing the chain on the chainsaw.

Step 2: Set Chain Tension

Next, you need to set the chain tension. Properly-tensioned chainsaw chains should be a little loose on the guide bar. However, it can't be too loose, or it could derail from the bar.

It only takes a minute, and you can do it by adjusting the tensioning screw on the side of the chainsaw guide bars.

Step 3. Sharpen at the Shortest Cutter First

Once you have your chainsaw chain sharpener in hand, you can get to work.

You always start sharpening with the shortest cutter. The reason to do this is that you want all of them to be the same length. You can always make a longer cutter shorter, but you can't make the shortest one longer.

Remember to mark the first one you sharpen so you can keep track of it.

Step 4: Stroke at an Angle

The file should be held at the angle at the notch that was initially ground. If you've sharpened it before, then try to keep the angle consistent with its best performance. You want it to function as well as it has before, after all.

Twist the file as you slide it across the teeth. Do this five to six times. You'll want to file every other cutter around the chain next.

Step 5: Sharpen the Opposite Side

Reverse the saw and file the rest of the teeth you skipped over. You always want to sharpen them within the notch of the blade rather than the outside. The flat tops of the cutters should all be roughly the same length when you're done.

Step 6: Inspect Depth Gauges

The final step is ensuring the depth gauges are shorter than the adjacent cutters. These gauges should not go past the chain.

If it does, then the chainsaw won't be able to cut. You'll need to file down the raker to about 1/10 of an inch below the cutter.

Get Chainsaw Sharpeners Only at Jono & Johno

A chainsaw that cuts in a zigzag pattern is a danger to you and anyone around you. Utilising a chainsaw sharpener is one way to ensure that it cuts straight and true, without deviation. Just remember to focus on the other parts of maintaining your equipment.

Jono & Johno is the place to visit for all your chainsaw needs. We carry power tools, chains for a chainsaw, safety equipment, and more. Check out our stock online, and contact us with any questions.