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How To Untangle Chainsaw Chain In 5 Easy Steps

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A tangled saw chain is one of the most common problems you’ll face if you use or plan using a chainsaw to chop wood or trees. It’s incredible how quickly a chain can become tangled.

All of your attempts to solve it seem to be making things worse, and the system appears to be broken as a whole. Is there a quick and easy way to detangle the chain without having to cut it or buy a new one?

To overcome the situation without delaying work or ruining the chainsaw, it’s best to search for methods of untangling a chainsaw chain. This tutorial will show you how to untangle chainsaw chains step by step.

It turns out that a tried-and-true process can disentangle even the most entangled chainsaw chain. This strategy, often termed “the double loop method,” has proven effective time and time again.

It’s a technique that bikers and chainsaw owners alike use. A chainsaw chain does not have a blade; instead, it has a series of sharp teeth.

Chains may become twisted while being stored, making them difficult to unravel. Even a novice could handle an awful tangling situation with the advice provided below.

Untangling a chainsaw’s chain isn’t difficult if you follow the instructions carefully. However, either we make it complex and end up seeking professional assistance, or we make it too simple and damage the chainsaw.

Furthermore, some of us are in a more risky situation as a result of our carelessness. Because the chain is composed of metal and has very sharp metal teeth, it may injure or cut the hand.

That is why, before taking any other steps, we must first assure our safety. So, let’s get into the specifics of the guideline.

How To Untangle Chainsaw Chain
via Flickr

Thing You Will Need

Whether you’re untangling a new or old chain, you should take some steps to keep yourself safe. So, before you untangle the chain in your chainsaw, make sure you have these safety items.

  • Protective Goggles
  • Gloves

The other equipment that can make your untangling job easy are:

  • Lubricating Oil
  • A Strong Table
  • Tools (Allen Wrench)

How To Untangle Chainsaw Chain?

Now we’ll show you how to untangle a chainsaw chain in the simplest and trendiest way possible. Here’s a five-step procedure for getting a straight and usable chain for your chainsaw.

Step 1: On a Flat Surface, Lay Down the Chain

  • First and foremost, pick where you’ll disentangle your chain.
  • It’s critical to find a clean, flat surface to avoid clogging the blades with debris or dust while straightening.
  • It’s also a good idea to choose a surface you don’t mind getting a little scraped up, such as a work table.
  • You won’t be able to unwind the chain if it’s still attached to the saw.

Step 2: Prepare and Lubricate the Chain Properly

If the chain is stiff or dusty, it will tangle and become difficult to move smoothly. The untangling operation will be considerably easier with a well-lubricated chain.

The truth is that we have no idea how your chain is doing! Is it brand new, or has it been around for a while? Is it still stuck in the chainsaw? That is why we are simply responding to all of the circumstances here.

  • Ensure that the chain is free of any debris or grease; a clogged chain can also be the cause of the tangle, to begin with.

New Chain Case

  • If the chain is new, stay away from honed edges and protect your finger or hand by using uncuttable gloves or chainsaw gloves.
  • This step may not be essential if your chainsaw is new because newer chains are frequently oiled properly.

Old Chain Case

  • If the chain is old, lubricate it using oil to make it less abrasive.
  • Some chain and bar oil will help things move along more smoothly.
  • To avoid an accident, ensure that you don’t splatter the oil around.
  • If it’s too corroded, giving an oil bath will make things easier.
  • The tangle will be loosened by oiling the chain; if it’s a minor knot, it may simply come undone, eliminating the need for the rest of these methods!
  • If the chain is stuck in the chainsaw, you would have to use the appropriate tools (Allen wrench or screwdriver) to open your electric or gasoline chainsaw and remove the chain.
  • Remove it carefully and place it on your desk.

Step 3: Finding the chain’s two opposite loops

As you’ve already prepared your chain, let’s get down to business and start untangling.

  • Find two loops on the chain on opposing ends, and in each hand, hold one of the loops.
  • If it’s knotted, it may become a little more challenging, but you must be able to locate some room to construct loops.
  • Try your best to keep these loops on different ends/sides of the tangled chain.
  • In each hand, hold the loop and enlarge them to about 3 inches in diameter.
  • The remaining chain should conform to the loops, forming a bigger loop beneath them.
  • Two smaller loops and one large loop are the shapes you’re looking for to help you with the next step.

Step 4: Raise the Chain

  • Raise the chain in the air as high as you can while keeping the loops in your grip.
  • The longer loop must be dangling below the shorter loop.
  • Allow it to dangle straight down before raising it to the level of the smaller holes.
  • The chain will be strong and stick straight out due to the material.
  • When the chain is elevated, it will start to slip through the smaller loops, and the lowest loop will be straightened and tightened.
  • Allow this to occur – the chain is untangling itself!
  • The tangle should either be gone or lessened once it reaches the bottom.

Step 5: As needed, repeat the above procedure

  • If the chain isn’t completely untangled after the initial attempt, continue the procedure until it’s in working order.
  • The looping technique will eventually return the chain to its original form due to the circular structure.

It may appear hard on paper; however, once you have the chain in your hands and begin untangling it, everything will make sense!

Your chainsaw chain will become untangled by repeating this double loop approach enough times, and you’ll be good to go. This isn’t the most elegant solution, but it will rectify the issue. Remember to insert the chainsaw chain in the appropriate direction while replacing it!

Taking Care of a Chainsaw

  • Never cut anything except wood; otherwise, the chain, and even the chainsaw, will be damaged.
  • To extend the life of your bar and chain, try to keep a fine tensioning modification.
  • Apply lubricating oil to your chainsaw’s bar and chain to maintain the chain smoothly.
  • Try to use a low kickback chain if you’re a beginner in chainsaw users.
  • To avoid falling down the chain, check the chain tension.
  • When the saw is not in use, use a protective cover over the bar.

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Final Remarks

The saw chain must be handled with care, especially if there is a bad entanglement present. To complete the task, you will need to be patient.

Finally, while you are trying to untangle the chain, don’t forget to put on your safety gear and add some lubricating oil to make the process go more smoothly!

Also, instead of wasting time trying to untangle each twisted section, learn and use the strategies we’ve offered. With the assistance of this step-by-step guide article, we hope you were able to untangle your chainsaw chain.