A chainsaw bar is a crucial part of a chainsaw. It’s what the chain attaches to, and it’s the only part that actually contacts with wood. You need to make sure you can measure your chainsaw bar correctly for safety reasons. In this guide, we’ll discuss how to measure chainsaw bar quickly and easily!
What is the bar?
The bar is the main cutting part of a chainsaw. It is usually covered by chain links with small teeth protruding outwards at angles that make them look like this:
Chainsaws are powered by an engine, and typically use two different types of engines to run their machines; gas-powered or electric-powered.
A bar length – how long it should be?
Depend on the size of the saw, your cutting style, and many other factors too.
A chainsaw bar is measured by measuring its length from tip to tip. The standard lengths are 16″, 20″, and 24″. If you’re not sure what will work best for you, it’s better to go with a longer one than a shorter one as that allows you some versatility.
Here are a few of the most common lengths and what they’re generally used for:
- 16″ bars – Good all-around bar that’s good for limbing trees, pruning branches, cutting firewood, or felling small to medium-sized trees.
- 20″ bars – Great multi-purpose chainsaw bar that’s good for cutting large trees, felling small to medium-sized trees, and clearing brush.
- 24″ bars – Longest standard bar that is often used when the user has more room to work with (i.e., larger tractors or skid steers). It can also be helpful if you need extra torque behind your cut force.
Make sure you’re using the appropriate components for each chainsaw
The standard length for a chainsaw is 18 inches. Chainsaws with shorter or longer bars may not cut as well and could be dangerous to use.
A properly sharpened chainsaw bar will have a tooth that curves upward as it moves from the heel to the tip. A dull chain will curve downward, so you’ll be able to see a difference when looking at them side-by-side.
Use an angle finder or protractor and measure between 30° – 60° on the teeth of your chainsaw. If you can’t find a handle that fits, use an adjustable wrench to tighten it down.
What is the best way to measure a chainsaw bar length?
A chainsaw bar is the metal rod that attaches to your saw’s motor and extends out from it. Chainsaws have a fixed length, which means you can’t adjust them shorter or longer without buying another one altogether. So when shopping for a new bar, make sure you get one of the exact sizes required by your tool! You can measure your chainsaw bar with a tape measure or ruler. If the bar length is too short for you to comfortably maneuver, look into getting an adjustable model that can accommodate different users!
It’s very easy to measure a chainsaw bar manually, all you’ll need is just a tape measure. You must measure from the tip of the chain to the point where the bar enters the chainsaw shell. The “utilizable length,” often known as the “called length” is the distance from one end to the other that can be utilized. This is where bars with reversible ends come in handy: you may use either side for different tasks. If your chainsaw’s owner’s manual has been lost, you’ll need to measure the chain in order to get to the end result. Once you have achieved the correct measurement “called length” you now can continue shopping for the correct chain.
The effective length of the bar
The effective cut length is generally shorter than the actual chainsaw blade length. Always tapes and safety measures are used. It’s conceivable that you’ll be able to find a second chain by adding 1′′ to the bar’s foundation. For example, you may take the measurement of a 13-7/8′′ circle with a 14-inch margin. If the length of the chainsaw is 15.8, 10.11, 11.12, 12.13, or anything in between, round it to the most significant inch (for example 15/8/10/11/12).
True length
True length is the actual distance of the bar removed from end to end before installation. It will be necessary to remove the bar by unscrewing the bolts holding it in place. With the bar removed, lay them on a flat surface and use a measuring tape or other methods for measuring. You do not round anything out, contrary to cutting length.
Why is it necessary to measure a chainsaw bar?
A chainsaw bar is an important part of the saw. It holds the chain and sprocket in place so you don’t run into any trouble while cutting down trees or clearing out some space on your property. There are also different types of blades that can be used depending upon what type of job needs to get done, which we will go over a little later. A chainsaw bar is usually measured in inches, and this measurement will determine what size blade you can use with your saw.
If the diameter of the blade happens to be too small for whatever job needs to get done it won’t cut very well or at all since the teeth won’t be able to grip onto the log or whatever is being cut. This will cause you nothing but frustration and wasted time trying to make it work, which we all know how much that can suck! So you must choose the right length for your chainsaw bar.
Replace the chainsaw bar
-Measure the bar from end to end, using a tape measure. The length should be about 36 inches. Anything longer could cause problems with your saw’s RPM and torque levels, anything shorter won’t provide enough cutting power.
-Look at how many chainsaw teeth are on each side of the guide bar tip – for this, you can use a ruler. A bar with 24 teeth on each side is the minimum required for optimal functionality; one with fewer than that could cause damage to your saw’s engine.
-Check out how thick of an oil reservoir it has, using calipers or another measuring tool if available. The average depth of this blade should be at least 16 millimeters to ensure your saw can run well.
-Check out how much horsepower the replacement bar provides, using an engine specs guide if available. A bar should have at least 0.25 HP for optimal performance. Any more than that won’t provide any additional benefit and could damage the saw’s engine in some cases – this is especially true for bars with under 0.25 HP, which could lead to overheating and break down of the saw’s engine over time.
The secret of chain measurement
A chain measurement secret is to measure the whole length of it including any guide bar or sprocket cover. This way, you can be sure that your new chainsaw will fit perfectly on your saw without compromising safety and performance. It’s also important to make sure there are no internal problems with the oil pump, bearings or seals before buying a used chainsaw.
Lubricate your chain with bar and chain oil – Check the air filter for dirt build-up – Try starting it up to make sure everything is in working order!
Wear is reduced by regular maintenance
The first step in maintaining a chainsaw bar is checking for wear on the teeth and bars every time you use it. Look at each tooth to see if it’s dull or chipped along its edge. If there are any major chips or cracks, replace the chain. When it comes to the bar, check for nicks and scratches in between each tooth along its edge as well. If there are any sharp edges or burrs on the bars, file them down with an emery board before using your saw again.
Be sure not to over-tighten bolts when you’re putting a new chain on. This can cause the bar to bend and might lead to a dangerous situation if you’re not careful.
Finally, keep your chainsaw body clean after every use by removing any wood chips or dust from it with a cloth and light oiling along each guide bar and tooth before putting it away for storage. Proper maintenance reduces wear on your chainsaw, as well as increasing the lifespan of your saw.
Buy a replacement chainsaw bar or chain
Now it’s time to measure your old chain so you can buy a replacement that fits properly.
The first step is figuring out what pitch, gauge, and length of chain you need for your particular saw.
That information should be on a plate or tag riveted near the edge of the bar.
If your saw doesn’t have a tag, look for markings on your old chain that will give you this information. If in doubt, take the old chain with you when buying new ones. You can also measure pitch and gauge yourself using some simple tools.
Size recommendation for a chainsaw
- It should be between 13 and 15 inches long with about .060 to .080 inch of space from the tip to the top link plate (swing stop) as viewed from behind it.
- If you can’t find that length, then go longer; if too long, then shorter.
- Do not cut a bar down to fit your saw; it is better to use a short guide bar and have plenty of power than a long one with too little power.
- If you are going from an 18 or 20-inch bar on the same size saw, then cut off about two inches for every three inches you’re going to shorten the bar.
- If you are changing from a smaller saw, then cut it back about four inches for every three inches that you want to go shorter.
Are you replacing parts on an older chainsaw?
Chainsaws come in different sizes and prices, but the most basic ones start at $20. A bar or chain bar might cost anywhere from $20 to $50 depending on the chainsaw you pick.
Consider upgrading
If you have an older saw that needs a belt and bar, this may be costly. It’s also cheaper to get a chainsaw instead. Batteries are much more useful than corded saws, which are light and frequently inexpensive. Many brands have come down in the prices, and new ones may not necessarily cost more than replacement parts for new products.
Final thoughts
We recommend removing the base cover of the chain and determining the number of links, pitch, and gauge if you only need to modify a link. If a bar lacks a figure, you must determine its value.
We hope you found this article useful and that it helped you meet your demands.