Author Topic: chain full of dirt (Read 2218 times)

woodmiser · « **on:** May 09, 2005, 08:31:02 pm »

Got my saw back from a friend & it appears that he cut down into the ground. I got the bar cleaned pretty good but the chain is full of dirt & crap. I want to put chain in plastic pail & soak it. What would I use. Thanks, Blaine

jjmk98k · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2005, 09:04:33 pm »

probably best thing ( MY opinion) would be soak it in some kerosene, dipping it in and out to let it get some of the dirt out.... then shoot it wth come compressed air and rinse it in kero again....

make sure you wear eye protection when using the compressed air

wiam · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2005, 09:10:21 pm »

How much tooth is left? How much is a new chain? Is it worth it? If more than half usable teeth are left, I would probably throw it in my parts washer, then blow it out with air.

Will

Corley5 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2005, 09:23:46 pm »

Put it on the saw, spray it with some fuel oil or something of the sort and fire the saw up and give it throttle. It'll throw the dirt off. Repeat the fuel oil treatment and run it again if any dirt remains. Then sharpen the chain and you'll be fine. Unless the chain is really screwed up.

etat · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2005, 10:13:36 pm »

To me dirt and oil and grease don't seem to mix too well. I think I'd start out with high pressure water from a water hose and dissolve as much of the dirt as possible. Maybe squirt a little dishwash soap on it or simple green or something while washing. I'd try to get the grit out and then I'd wash or soak it with kerosene, fuel, oil, whatever to finish it up.

SawTroll · « **Reply #5 on:** May 10, 2005, 02:46:24 am »

Just sneak it into the dishwasher

.

rebocardo · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2005, 02:57:26 am »

The couple of times I have had to clean chains that had dirt and sand in them, I soaked them in hot water and dish soap, squished them around, rinsed them with the hose sprayer, then soaked them in 5w30.

Kevin · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2005, 07:24:55 am »

Forget them in the pocket of your going out pants on washing day.
The chain will be sparkling clean and you'll have a good reason for not going out.

sawguy21 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 10, 2005, 09:02:07 am »

He will have to go out to escape the missus after that one.

beenthere · « **Reply #9 on:** May 10, 2005, 09:19:41 am »

I think Corley5 had the best advice, and 'best' because that is what I would do.

Put it on the saw, spray it with some fuel oil or something of the sort and fire the saw up and give it throttle. It'll throw the dirt off. Repeat the fuel oil treatment and run it again if any dirt remains. Then sharpen the chain and you'll be fine. Unless the chain is really screwed up.

jjmk98k · « **Reply #10 on:** May 10, 2005, 11:40:50 am »

Quote from: Kevin on May 10, 2005, 07:24:55 am

Forget them in the pocket of your going out pants on washing day.
The chain will be sparkling clean and you'll have a good reason for not going out.

now THATS the best idea,

Chris J · « **Reply #11 on:** May 10, 2005, 01:31:27 pm »

Maybe get your friend to clean it

, or replace it

.

Buzz-sawyer · « **Reply #12 on:** May 10, 2005, 06:13:10 pm »

thats what I was thinkin from the start....not friendly to run a mans saw into the ground

Ga_Boy · « **Reply #13 on:** May 10, 2005, 07:16:18 pm »

Quote from: Mucha_Nada on May 10, 2005, 01:31:27 pm

Maybe get your friend to clean it , or replace it .

Quote from: Buzz-sawyer on May 10, 2005, 06:13:10 pm

thats what I was thinkin from the start....not friendly to run a mans saw into the ground

These two ideas are just what I had in mind as well.

Another option is to buy yer self a new cahin and give the friend the bill and old chain.

Mark

woodmiser · « **Reply #14 on:** May 10, 2005, 07:50:42 pm »

Thanks guys for the tips. This so called friend has borrowed his last tool from me. I will clean it myself as there are about 3/4 of the tooth still there but I do expect a new chain from him or an offer to clean it. Now I know what my daddy meant when he said don't lend your friends money or tools, *DanG don't you just hate when he's right again.
Thanks Blaine

jjmk98k · « **Reply #15 on:** May 10, 2005, 10:15:36 pm »

good point, i almost never loan out anything....... just hate to have that kind of situation arise....

Chris J · « **Reply #16 on:** May 10, 2005, 11:25:06 pm »

Sure seems like your dad gave some sound advice. My dad, bless his heart, couldn't & still can't, say no to anyone.

redpowerd · « **Reply #17 on:** May 10, 2005, 11:35:55 pm »

rust reaper!

fishhuntcutwood · « **Reply #18 on:** May 11, 2005, 03:43:38 am »

It's amazing the guys that want to borrow a saw to "clean up some stuff around the house." It's worth my time to go over some afternoon, and do it myself. Most people just don't know any better, and they equate a chainsaw along the same lines as a weed eater. Use it and put it away. Even though you should take care of a weed eater just as well as you do a saw!

Jeff

SawTroll · « **Reply #19 on:** May 11, 2005, 04:01:18 am »

Quote from: fishhuntcutwood on May 11, 2005, 03:43:38 am

It's amazing the guys that want to borrow a saw to "clean up some stuff around the house." It's worth my time to go over some afternoon, and do it myself.......

Thats what I have done several times........

By the way, I was serious about the dishwasher!
Works great.

beenthere · « **Reply #20 on:** May 11, 2005, 10:06:54 am »

Isn't it also amazing to watch someone use their saw and it seems like on 'every' bucking cut, the saw tip hits the dirt. Like their cut isn't complete unless the saw turns some dirt. They always are working with a dull chain. Duh!

Kinda reminds me of a fellow student in college, when he tied his tie (we wore them lots back then) he couldn't get the wide end longer than the narrow end, so he just cut off the narrow end with the scissors.

His ties just kept getting shorter and shorter, and he never was interested in learning how to tie it right.

I never, ever loan my saws to anyone, (save for some FF members that I haven't met yet but know they know saws) but will go along with the saw to do some sawing if it's needed.

GF · « **Reply #21 on:** May 11, 2005, 04:07:16 pm »

Might try beating the chain over his head , that may loosen some dirt in two places.

SawTroll · « **Reply #22 on:** May 13, 2005, 06:28:51 am »

I talked to a Husky rep at a promotion arrangement at my local dealers place yesterday.
When I mentioned claning air filters and chain in the dishwasher, he told me that he knew a saw tech who actually had an old one in his workshop. If needed, he cleaned the whole saw in it, after stripping off covers etc and sealing off where nesassary.
Beware of

smiley_angry wife!

maple flats · « **Reply #23 on:** May 14, 2005, 06:08:48 am »

I olny loan my saws to someone who has one of their own and but needs a bigger one and if I know them to be careless like that they don't get mine. I may however go with the saw, you never know, you might even end up with some free logs cut the right length. Plan on using the metal detector. Had I lent it out however and it came back like that I would tell them that the chain needs to be replaced and how much they cost, I would pro-rate the replacement roughly based on wear on teath when lent. Then I would rinse it in kerosene and sharpen it and use it if good enough.

etat · « **Reply #24 on:** May 14, 2005, 10:14:27 am »

I wouldn't charge em nothing. What I would do is, without calling names, use the ruined chain and the story behind it as a excuse to stop loaning tools

Exceptions could be made then if you ever did not mind loaning someone something.

Ironwood · « **Reply #25 on:** May 14, 2005, 04:41:57 pm »

I like the beat the dirt off by" wacking him over the head with it". It is truely amazing the "professionals " out there cutting trees who have no clue as to proper chain maint. and sharpening, I know a few and they ruined one of mine by not sharpening it and rounding back the full chisel edge

, needless to say they have worn out their welcome. REID

Ernie · « **Reply #26 on:** May 14, 2005, 05:24:07 pm »

Woodmiser

With friends like that have you thought of becoming a hermit?

jokers · « **Reply #27 on:** May 15, 2005, 06:46:53 am »

Regarding cleaning saws in a dishwasher, remove the ignition coil first. You also need to be positive that no water got into the engine. I`d probably put the piston at the bottom of it`s stroke to seal the crankcase and then work on sealing the exhaust port. Getting water out of the top end would be easier than removing it from the base and any chemical scouring of the lubricating oil would seem to be less immediately damaging to the top than it would be on the bearings.

I know of one guy said to be a saw builder who claims that his saws arrive at the owner's home pristine and new looking because he runs them through the dishwasher after building them. I also know of one brand new 372 that he built that grenaded on it`s first tank of gas from what he claims was a bad crank bearing. Coincidence?

About the dirty chain, you almost have to assume that the saw will return with a rocked out chain if you loan it out. Think about it, who takes care of somone else's equipment as well as they should and how many people who don`t own saws know anything about their care and maintenance?

I`d chalk this one up as a learning experience and refuse to loan the saw again unless the person borrowing it supplied the chain up front. Simply tell the person, "Chains are very reasonable, you can easily purchase one for less than the cost of renting a saw like mine for an afternoon. Here is where you can get one.....". You`re still being generous because who knows what undue wear he is putting on the bar and powerhead.

Russ

rebocardo · « **Reply #28 on:** May 18, 2005, 12:12:03 am »

> You`re still being generous because who knows what undue wear he is putting on the bar
> and powerhead.

Yea, someone putting the saw into the dirt probably is not going to be using the proper cuts or wedges and jamming the top of the bar in the kerf and then just yanking it out when it gets stuck. Worse thing will be when your friend kills himself with your saw.

Scuba_Dave · « **Reply #29 on:** May 18, 2005, 12:47:45 pm »

I think loaning out would include a "Oh, it needs a new chain 1st, they are like $$. If you can pay for one, then you can borrow it"
I usually try to return stuff in better shape then I recd it.

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Author Topic: chain full of dirt (Read 2218 times)