Remove the bar and chain from the engine. Lay the chain out on a flat surface in a circle and look for defects on either side of the chain. The chain should not be bent sideways at any point. If everything looks ok, start the engine to observe oil oozing from a small port in the engine side where the bar fits to. When fitting the bar/chain back to the saw, adjust the chain just up to the bottom edge of the bar, but not so tight that you can't turn the chain by hand. Check the chain oiling by running the bar tip near some cardboard at speed for a moment or two--it should throw off a thin line of oil. Keep the chain teeth fully sharpened so that you have maximum cutting with minimal heat. If the chain tends to droop from the bar during use, it is likely getting hot. Don't force the cut, let the chain cut it's way through. The emitted sawdust should be chips and curls--a fine powder-like dust indicates dull chain teeth. Hope this helps!
Answers & Comments
Remove the bar and chain from the engine. Lay the chain out on a flat surface in a circle and look for defects on either side of the chain. The chain should not be bent sideways at any point. If everything looks ok, start the engine to observe oil oozing from a small port in the engine side where the bar fits to. When fitting the bar/chain back to the saw, adjust the chain just up to the bottom edge of the bar, but not so tight that you can't turn the chain by hand. Check the chain oiling by running the bar tip near some cardboard at speed for a moment or two--it should throw off a thin line of oil. Keep the chain teeth fully sharpened so that you have maximum cutting with minimal heat. If the chain tends to droop from the bar during use, it is likely getting hot. Don't force the cut, let the chain cut it's way through. The emitted sawdust should be chips and curls--a fine powder-like dust indicates dull chain teeth. Hope this helps!