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 your chainsaw is cutting to the right, left or not cutting straight, 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.
If your chainsaw is not cutting straight, the most common causes include:
If your chainsaw keeps pulling to the right while cutting, the issue usually comes from the chain. In most cases, the cutter teeth on the left side are shorter, duller, or damaged compared to the teeth on the right side.
The same logic applies in the opposite direction. If your chainsaw pulls to the left, the issue is usually on the right side of the chain or guide bar.
A chainsaw chain is built to cut evenly from both sides. When one side of the chain removes more wood than the other, the saw begins to steer in that direction.
Here are the most common reasons this happens.
Chainsaw teeth must be sharpened at the same angle and length on both sides. If one side is filed more aggressively, those cutters will remove more wood and pull the saw sideways.
For example, if the right-side teeth are sharper and longer than the left-side teeth, the chainsaw will start drifting to the right. This often happens when sharpening by hand without using a filing guide.
Chainsaw teeth can chip or break if the chain hits rocks, soil, metal, or nails hidden in wood. When teeth on one side become damaged, they stop cutting efficiently.
The teeth on the opposite side then do most of the cutting, which pulls the saw off its straight path.
A quick inspection of the chain usually reveals chipped, rounded, or missing teeth.
The guide bar keeps the chain straight as it spins around the saw. Over time, the rails that hold the chain can wear unevenly.
If one rail becomes lower than the other, the chain will lean slightly during the cut. This causes the chainsaw to produce angled cuts instead of straight ones.
Flipping the guide bar regularly and checking for rail wear can help prevent this problem.
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The chain must match the guide bar gauge exactly. If the chain is too thin for the bar groove, it can move side to side while cutting.
That extra movement makes it harder to keep the chain aligned, which can cause the saw to drift during the cut.
Always check the chain gauge listed on your guide bar and use the correct replacement chain.
Proper sharpening and maintenance are essential for keeping a chainsaw cutting straight and operating safely. 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.
The first step is to clean the chain of any grime or debris clinging to it. Always make sure the tool is switched off and the spark plug disconnected before performing chainsaw maintenance.
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.
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.
Many chainsaw users check the tension before every use, as chains can loosen slightly during operation.
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.
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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. Maintaining the same filing angle on every cutter helps ensure the chain cuts evenly and prevents the saw from pulling to one 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.
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. Depth gauges that are too high can prevent the cutters from biting into the wood properly, which may cause uneven or angled cuts.
You'll need to file down the raker to about 1/10 of an inch below the cutter.
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Most cases of a chainsaw cutting to the right are caused by uneven chain sharpening or guide bar wear. Regular maintenance can prevent most crooked cutting problems.
Follow these best practices:
A chainsaw that cuts in a zigzag pattern is a danger to you and anyone around you. If your chainsaw is not cutting straight, it is usually a sign that the chain, guide bar, or cutting teeth need maintenance.
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, chainsaw chains and guide bars, sharpeners, safety equipment, and more. Check out our stock online, and contact us with any questions.
Co-Founder & Director, Jono & Johno
With a passion for business that started at just ten years old—when he and Grant, ran a worm farm out of an old bathtub—Charlie has played a key role in growing Jono & Johno into a trusted name in the industry. He oversees product sourcing, customer education, and the company’s online growth, ensuring customers have access to the right equipment and information to get the job done.
Through years of experience, Charlie has developed a deep understanding of the outdoor power equipment industry and is dedicated to helping customers find the right gear, troubleshoot common issues, and keep their machines running smoothly.
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