Chainsaws are dangerous if they come into contact with your skin. In the event of a chainsaw chain break, the teeth can penetrate through and stay embedded in your body. But there are ways to prevent this from happening!
If a chainsaw chain breaks, it can be dangerous. The “chainsaw chain catcher” is a device that helps to prevent accidents and injuries. Here are some tips on how to keep your chainsaw safe.
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The last thing anybody who works with large power tools wants is for one of them to break. Chainsaws are one of those items that may be quite helpful but also extremely hazardous if used incorrectly. To prevent mishaps, chainsaws must be properly maintained.
Have you ever wondered what happens when the chain of a chainsaw snaps?
Chainsaw chains are prone to breaking when in operation. It will shoot off the chainsaw at tremendous speeds, causing serious damage to everything it comes into contact with, particularly if the chain ricochets off the impact site. When chainsaw chains are used inappropriately and are not properly maintained, they will break.
I heard of a buddy whose chainsaw chain snapped, shattering the windshield of his vehicle. He was fortunate not to get wounded. Due to incorrect chain tension, his chainsaw chain snapped.
So I decided to conduct some study and share what I learned about what occurs when a chainsaw chain breaks.
When a Chainsaw Breaks, What Happens?
When a chainsaw chain snaps, a few things can happen. The chainsaw chain gets trapped in the branch or tree you’re cutting most of the time.
It may flail and fall to the ground after breaking, or it could become stuck in the driving sprocket and shatter. The last thing you want is if it breaks and ricochets off of anything, injuring you or a bystander.
Chainsaw Chains: What Causes Them To Break?
If you don’t maintain your chainsaw in proper working order, it might cause you troubles or perhaps an accident. You may be cutting through a piece of wood or chopping down a tree, and a foreign item, such as a nail embedded in the tree, could shatter the chain on its own.
A chainsaw chain may snap, become damaged, useless, or break for a variety of causes. Here are a few of the most important reasons.
1 – Improper Chainsaw Operation
The most prevalent cause of chainsaw chain damage and breakage is likely a lack of understanding on how to operate and maintain a chainsaw correctly. You are more likely to abuse a chainsaw unintentionally if you do not read the instruction manual or if you are new to operating chainsaws.
When utilizing a chainsaw, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Always remember to release the chainsaw’s safety break before starting it.
- When you start the chainsaw or while it’s running, make sure the chain doesn’t contact the ground.
- With a running chainsaw, never touch a rock, stone, or concrete.
- Please consult your chainsaw’s handbook to see what kind of materials it can cut through. It will break if you use it to cut things it was not designed to handle.
When a chainsaw is not operated correctly, it damages the chain, reducing its durability and strength, and eventually snapping it.
When starting your chainsaw, stand at least 15-20 feet away from any objects or persons to protect yourself, those around, and any things lying about from a ricocheting chain.
2 – Inadequate or non-maintenance of a chainsaw
Regular maintenance is required if you want your chainsaw to function correctly and last longer. Here are a few items that must be kept in good working order.
- Sharpening the blade on a regular basis can help it cut more precisely and avoid becoming caught.
- Each time you operate the chainsaw, you should inspect the chain oil and chain break.
- Ensure that the guide bar is constantly in the proper position.
You should also keep a check on your chainsaw for corrosion. If you don’t address rust as soon as you see it, it will degrade the metal and cause a chain break.
Maintain in mind that, although you should sharpen your chainsaw’s cutting teeth on a regular basis to keep it sharp, the depth gauge will eventually wear out to the point where you won’t be able to sharpen it and will need to be replaced.
3 – Using low-cost or low-quality chains or other parts
When replacing a part on your chainsaw, whether it’s a chain or another component, never attempt to save money by buying cheap or low-quality components; a low-quality chain is one of the leading causes of chainsaw chain breaks.
These chains are constructed of inferior metals, and if they get trapped or shatter, you and people around you may suffer serious injuries. This may also happen when using low-quality replacement components.
If anything on your chainsaw has to be changed, it’s advisable to acquire excellent quality components, since you’ll probably need to replace it with a better quality part later anyhow. Also, in the future, keep the chainsaw in better working order.
4 – Failure to properly lubricate the chainsaw
You must inspect the lubricating chamber while doing routine maintenance. You should check to see whether it’s blocked and if there’s enough chain oil in it to keep it operating smoothly.
The chainsaw oil keeps dust and debris from accumulating. It also prevents the blade from becoming stuck and ensures that it cuts correctly.
5 – Examine the Rivets for Loose Rivets
Loose rivets are another major cause of chainsaw chain failure. On a chainsaw, even one loose or broken rivet may be a serious problem.
It is critical to inspect each rivet on the chain for any uneven wear and tear or odd damage before each usage and during routine maintenance.
If you notice any problems with your chain’s rivets, even if it’s just one, you should replace it before using your chainsaw again.
6 – Your Chainsaw Chain Is Tensioned Incorrectly
The chain on your chainsaw should be adjusted or loosened if it sags away from the bar or feels too tight to pull.
To avoid using the chainsaw and having the chain break suddenly, check the tension on the chainsaw chain before each usage.
When you use a chain that is excessively tight, the demand on it to turn becomes too great, and it snaps at rates of up to 60 feet per second. It has the potential to inflict fatal harm.
If the chain of a chainsaw is too loose, the cuts will be uneven, and it may break or become hooked on anything under severe circumstances.
Here’s how to determine if the tension on your chainsaw chain is too tight or too loose.
- The first thing you should do is turn it off and let it cool fully before inspecting.
- After that, gently tug on the chain to see how loose it is. It should pull but also provide some resistance.
- Release the chain; if the tension is correct, it should snap back into place.
If the chain won’t spin at all because it’s too tight, loosen it, then tighten it if it sags when you pull on it.
7 – Inadequate Guide Bar Upkeep
The guide bar is an important component of the chainsaw that must be properly maintained in order for the chain to function effectively. A chain break might occur if the guide bar is not maintained.
Check the guide bar to determine whether it’s straight or bent before operating the chainsaw. If it has a bend, nick, or curvature, you must correct it before using it. The chain will break if you use it without first correcting the issue.
8 – Chain Angles That Aren’t Correct
Improper chain filing is the cause of erroneous chain angles. If the fillings aren’t the right diameter for your chainsaw, this will happen. It’s possible that the chain will break.
Make sure you use the correct filing and that you return the chainsaw’s angles to their right places after hand filing.
9 – Hitting a Nail on the Head
Before cutting down a limb or felling a tree, look for any nails or steel items that may be embedded in the wood.
If you accidently strike a nail while cutting down the tree, the chainsaw chain will break, posing a major threat.
Kickback from a chainsaw is number ten.
Kickback is another issue that may arise when a chainsaw is used incorrectly. When you operate a chainsaw improperly, the guide bar might go quickly upward.
It occurs when the nose of the guide bars collides with an item, causing the chain to get squeezed. It might then lead to a build-up of pressure and the chain breaking.
Precautions to Take If a Chainsaw Chain Breaks
When the chain of a chainsaw breaks, there are a few things to keep in mind to limit the harm it might do to you, those around, and other adjacent items.
Use the Correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Working with hazardous power instruments, such as a chainsaw, necessitates the use of protective equipment (Personal Protective Equipment). It is the greatest line of defense you have in the event that the chainsaw chain breaks.
You must always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment; here are some examples of PPE gear that may save your life.
- Gloves
- Chaps with Chainsaws
- Face shields or safety goggles are examples of protective eyewear.
- A Hardhat is a protective headgear.
- Earmuffs or earplugs for ear protection
- Heavy boots, steel-toed boots, or logging boots are all options.
- A sturdy logging jacket is required.
Chainsaws have built-in safety features.
Most chainsaws include safety measures that assist avoid mishaps like chain snapping. A chainsaw has a number of built-in safety precautions.
- They feature a throttle lock that only operates when the correct button is pushed.
- They include right-hand protections to keep your hands safe if the chain breaks or derails.
- It also contains a stop control button that may be used to immediately stop the chainsaw if necessary; this button is conveniently accessible.
Safely refuel the chainsaw
When you run out of gas and need to refill your chainsaw, you should always be careful and follow these instructions to remain safe:
- If your chainsaw is still hot or has just been used, don’t refill it.
- Use only gasoline canisters that have been thoroughly examined and authorized by organizations such as the Department of Transportation.
- Don’t let the chainsaw’s gasoline tank run dry.
- When refilling your chainsaw, never smoke.
- Refueling a chainsaw should be done away from any sparks or flames.
How to Use a Chainsaw Properly to Avoid Breaking the Chain
- Read the handbook attentively before using a new chainsaw.
- Avoid using a chainsaw if you are weary or for lengthy periods of time; you must remain awake.
- When chopping branches, be especially careful since there may be backlash.
- Remember to utilize the underside of the guide bar while prepping a tree for fall.
- Use the chainsaw no higher than shoulder height to prevent the risk of kickback.
- Before operating your saw, make sure the chain brake is in working order.
- Please double-check the location of the nose of your chainsaw bar.
- For your chainsaw, choose the finest low-kickback chain.
- To offer the best kickback protection, use thin nose bars.
- Avoid wearing clothing that is too big or too small.
- Make sure that all of your fingers are wrapped around the chainsaw handle while operating it.
- It is essential to maintain your chainsaw on a regular basis; remember to read and follow the recommendations in your chainsaw’s instruction manual.
Last Thoughts
Chainsaws are among the most useful power tools for anybody to have, but they must be properly utilized and maintained. When the chain on your chainsaw breaks, it may cause severe injuries and even death.
To verify that your chainsaw is safe to operate and that all of the safety measures are in place, inspect all of the individual components. When operating your chainsaw, always remember to put on your personal protective equipment.
If a chainsaw chain breaks, the user is in danger of serious injury. If you’re using a chainsaw, it’s important to know how to prevent this from happening. The “oregon chainsaw” is a tool that can be used to help prevent the issue.
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