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Post by dpress on Dec 1, 2019 10:34:35 GMT -5
I have just completed a project to get an old Homelite XL up and running, which it does now very well - good power and great oiling. My query is about the correct chain tension for the bar I am using, which is a 12" Sandvik Windsor bar, fitted with a low profile chain of unknown make.
I have followed the guidance in the service book, and also watched an Oregon video ( I am a complete chainsaw novice) but can't seem to get the chain tension correct. I have found that at certain points while rotating the chain around the bar it becomes slack - at other points the tension seems perfect with the chain snapping back to the bar correctly, but rotate some more and it goes slack and falls away from the bottom of the bar again.
Do chains wear unevenly? Or could it be wear on the bar sprocket or the clutch sprocket? I have greased the bar sprocket, and to my untrained eyes although there is wear evident on the clutch sprocket it does not look too bad, having compared it to photos of similar used items.
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Many thanks, Steve
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Post by jklw77 on Dec 1, 2019 11:12:59 GMT -5
Do You need to clean your chain and bar, check bar for wear in groove of bar and tip,( look at chain and bar section of this site) if you have a roller bar make sure it spins freely and is lubricated ,look at all the teeth do they all appear the same ? check clutch sprocket , is sprocket in decent shape , is clutch bearing lubricated ? sometimes chains will get links that bind ,that do not pivot freely , soak chain in diesel ,(clean plastic peanut butter jars work great ) get a wire brush if dirty ,lay out on work table after soaking and work over both sides aggressively , soak again hang up and drip dry . Then roll links over in hand and see if any are still binding . cleaning a chain like this can save $, you may also have a damaged chain ,after doing the above you should be able to pinpoint problem, hope this helps
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Post by edju1958 on Dec 1, 2019 11:27:46 GMT -5
Hi Steve,something else that you might want to check is the tensioner screw to see if it's bent.It's possible that if the screw is bent it could be causing your problem as well.Also,as jklw77 said,it could be your sprocket bearing is worn out (or the race if it has one).As long as you've never run the saw with a loose chain I highly doubt your chain is the problem.I've seen guys run their saws with almost 2 in.of play in the chain.As was taught to me your chain should be able to lift out of the bar (in the middle of the bar) only far enough to see the bottom of the drivers on the chain.Also check your sprocket tip as it could be worn too,but again highly doubtful. Ed
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Post by sweepleader on Dec 1, 2019 11:44:14 GMT -5
The above advice is good. Here are some more thoughts.
This is not a chain tension problem, it is a worn out parts problem.
The clutch spur or drive sprocket would be high on my suspect list. If there are more than just visible wear marks on it, I would change it. If the chain and clutch were not on the saw together to wear together, odd things can happen. If the spur and the nose sprocket are out of round they should be replaced. They turn at different rates due to the different numbers of teeth and will go in and out of phase with each other causing loose and tight spots as the chain rotates. You have three parts, the clutch drum, the bar, and the chain contributing to the trouble. Change them all or one at a time to find the problem.
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Post by onlyhomelites on Dec 1, 2019 12:33:52 GMT -5
It sounds like there could be slight mismatch in the chain & sprocket. In the 70's Homelite had their "37" series chain which wasn't quite a true 3/8" LP chain. It's very possible that your Sandvik bar and chain are a true 3/8"LP while the sprocket is the old A-70221 37 series. If you decide to replace your sprocket, make sure to get the A-95653 or equivalent.
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Post by dpress on Dec 1, 2019 17:34:20 GMT -5
Thanks for all the helpful replies. I will be using the saw gently tomorrow on some small branches I need to cut up, and will see what the tension remains like as I do so. I can then strip it again to check for all the issues raised in answers above, to try and isolate the problem. I am now tending towards the clutch sprocket being the culprit, with the marks I have seen being perhaps more damaging than I first imagined. I can source a new Stens 085-0657 unit in the UK from eBay. Having said that. as this saw has a completely unknown history I may be best advised to change all 3 items, clutch sprocket, bar and chain to make sure I have a complete set of unworn matching components which I can then hopefully keep in good order.
Lets hope Santa Claus can get down the chimney with all that in his sack...!
Steve
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