chain saw problem

[John Timmins]

I was using a Craftsman 18 inch chain saw today, and it was running perfectly. Now the chair won't go around. The engine runs fine and the idle is perfect. But when I rev the engine upthe chain doesn't go around ??????

I let it cool off and loosened the chain a little by loosening the thing that the chain rides in and retightened it.

Is it possible I ruined the clutch ? what do I try next ? I don't think it needs to go in the shop. I'm pretty good with tools; I just don't know what to do next.

Thanks in advance, John

 

[54FordPanel]

Did you by chance trip the safety bar? That's what it does, stop the chain from moving.

If you have another bar in front of the grab handle, try moving it. If it moves, it's the safety bar that's tripped. There's a Go/No Go position to it. In moves, out doesn't (or visa-versa...don't remember which is which)

 

[signcrafter]

Did you by chance trip the safety bar? That's what it does, stop the chain from moving.

If you have another bar in front of the grab handle, try moving it. If it moves, it's the safety bar that's tripped. There's a Go/No Go position to it. In moves, out doesn't (or visa-versa...don't remember which is which)

This was my first thought, seen it happen before!

 

[beelsr]

if the saw is OFF, can you move the chain by hand?

do you have the brake on? it's the (usually black) guard on top, in front of the handle - the spatula looking thing in this pic.

grab yours and pull it backwards to the rear. if you hear a distinct click, that was it.

it could be the sprocket, you could have pinched the chain in the bar, pinched the tip or even, the brake itself could have broken.

if it's not the brake, pop off the side cover and try to pull the chain by hand. it should be obvious where the sticking point is...

 

[wnstwolf]

XXX5 as above but if that is not it I too have a Sears CS and once had a small twig jammed inbetween the front sprocket and the chain at the end of the bar that would not allow the chain to spin?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Honestly, I hope it's not the chain brake working properly.

 

[raddksn]

I have seen the chain jump off the sprocket under the cover !

 

[Zwiser]

Did you tray taking the cover off and cleaning it?

 

[Mmfh]

Don't feel dumb if the chain brake is on, I've done it myself and didn't realize when I laid it down somehow the plastic handle got moved forward and the chain was in neutral. About 10 minutes online and I felt stupid as hell, but was glad it was just something stupid.

Good Luck!

Mm

 

[NUTTSGT]

Don't feel dumb if the chain brake is on, I've done it myself and didn't realize when I laid it down somehow the plastic handle got moved forward and the chain was in neutral. About 10 minutes online and I felt stupid as hell, but was glad it was just something stupid.

Good Luck!

Mm

There's a difference between not realizing it was locked and not knowing what it does.

 

[BD1]

My brother in laws older craftsman has plastic nylon gears. Opened it up and saw pretty white shavings !

 

[CoyoteLL]

My 15 year old Craftsman finally kicked the bucket last year. The drive sprocket had a groove cut into it so much that the chain wouldn't grip and spin. A new sprocket was hard to find and I gave up and bought me a Stihl.

 

[NUTTSGT]

My 15 year old Craftsman finally kicked the bucket last year. The drive sprocket had a groove cut into it so much that the chain wouldn't grip and spin. A new sprocket was hard to find and I gave up and bought me a Stihl.

Smart decision.

 

[cashishift]

Smart decision.

 

[beelsr]

My 15 year old Craftsman finally kicked the bucket last year. The drive sprocket had a groove cut into it so much that the chain wouldn't grip and spin. A new sprocket was hard to find and I gave up and bought me a Stihl.

don't let the sprocket wear that much - it's a wear item and meant to be replaced after it wears to a certain amount. It it's a spur or ri sprocket, it should have little wear markers on it so once it wears down to there, replace it. Using a too worn sprocket is bad for the chain, bar and clutch - more expensive parts than a sprocket...

 

[rslaback]

Smart decision.

Damn Craftsman junk. The stupid thing only lasted 15 years.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Damn Craftsman junk. The stupid thing only lasted 15 years.

They were made by Poulan, the Poulan I had only lasted 2 years before I gave it to a neighbor. I think it was one of the biggest pieces of non-starting **** I ever had.

 

[John Timmins]

Thanks for all the help !

I did what was suggested and grabbed that front lever and pulled it back. sure enough, there was a "click", and the chain was free to spin. I did not know there was a chain break.

This is a borrowed saw, a no time limit deal. I called a sharpening place and will have it sharpened for $7.50. Today it started on the 2nd pull. I will return it spotlessly clean, the way I got it ! It has no ethanol gas in it with oil 40:1.

 

[sharkytm]

Sounds like you are a stand-up individual. I no longer lend out any of my saws, even my beater cut-stumps-into-the-dirt Husqy 345. I lent out my 261, and it came back with a cracked tank, crudded up 20" bar that had been overheated (run it out of bar oil), and covered in shavings. Empty tank to boot.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Thanks for all the help !

I did what was suggested and grabbed that front lever and pulled it back. sure enough, there was a "click", and the chain was free to spin. I did not know there was a chain break.

This is a borrowed saw, a no time limit deal. I called a sharpening place and will have it sharpened for $7.50. Today it started on the 2nd pull. I will return it spotlessly clean, the way I got it ! It has no ethanol gas in it with oil 40:1.

This is what I was afraid of and nothing personal. While a chainsaw can be an extremely useful tool, it's probably one of the top 5 most dangerous power tools. It can kill or maim you in a blink of an eye. Chainsaws require caution and all your attention when in use.

You were unaware of the chain brake which means you have very little experience using a chainsaw. Whoever lent you their saw should have versed you on the proper usage and some saw safety before using it.

How easily things can go wrong.
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/gun_lake_region/Man_accidently_kills_wife_with_chainsaw



Becareful my freind, we don't want to see "Chainsaw accident" as your next thread.

 

[southalabama]

I'd go back and read the manual, carefully. You can hurt yourself quickly. Forgetting the chain break and not knowing are two different things. I'd watch a couple safety videos online and read the manual. Be safe.

 

[buildmyown]

Sounds like you are a stand-up individual. I no longer lend out any of my saws, even my beater cut-stumps-into-the-dirt Husqy 345. I lent out my 261, and it came back with a cracked tank, crudded up 20" bar that had been overheated (run it out of bar oil), and covered in shavings. Empty tank to boot.

That makes me cry I love my litte husky345 but my real work horse is my old 266.

For the reasons you listed and the OP's story i do not lend out saws period. I will how ever go and cut anything if someone needs it but i dont move brush or haul anything unless its hardwood then ill take all the free firewood i can get.

 

[cheechi]

My Craftsman-Poulan runs pretty well, granted I'm not out in the woods all the time cutting but when I pull, it starts. I did open up the case and mess about with the alignment of the sprocket and bar out of the box but overall it was fine when I got it.

Keep an eye out, they have a tendency to have soggy diapers. Not exactly leaking, but they make a puddle of bar oil on the ground or in your case. Also they don't fit well in cases, I modded a Northern Tool case and it fits ok, but not perfect. Sears did not sell one that fits it.

If it breaks, I'll get a Stihl or Echo, depending what fits the bar/chains I already have. I picked up a bunch of extra chains & bars real cheap on some store closing.