tension of the chain on a chainsaw?

My dad has been wielding a chainsaw for several weekends now cutting landscaping. The chain on his chainsaw (at rest) appears to be sagging a good 2 inches. Is that normal? Is that the way it should be? Or is he going to get whacked in the face someday?
Could you explain what "a little slack" means? Should you be able to slide a finger in between, or less? I mean, I could probably fit 3-4 fingers in now.

Comments

3 Responses to “tension of the chain on a chainsaw?”
  1. Jesse G says:
    July 27, 2009 at 12:06 pm

    There is supposed to be a little bit of slack on the chainsaw, but 2 inches is too much. The gap when you pull down at the middle of the blade should leave about 3/16" to 1/4" of space between the chain and the blade.

    My dad’s chainsaw is like that too, and every time we use it I’m scared the chain is going to fly off and rip my face off.

    Good luck getting him to do something about it, my dad is stubborn.

  2. Hipto says:
    July 27, 2009 at 12:06 pm

    It should sag a little. If it is too tight, it will break. Two inches sounds a bit much.

  3. darryl.ireland says:
    July 27, 2009 at 12:06 pm

    thats ugly – the chain shud be snugg 2 the bar but they all get loose during use due to heat n vibration – HAVE HIM TIGHTEN IT B4 EACH USE – it can and will come off but it stops turnin when that happens so it aint as dangerous as it seems – be careful n G L


 
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