Why is my saw cutting crooked?

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husky480

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Hi everybody, I'm new here but I've ran chainsaws for about 2 years still kinda new to it I guess. But anyway I can't figure out why my ECHO CS400 cuts crooked now when i first bought it about 4 months ago it cut straight now it cuts like / angling to the left. I've sharpened the blade it doesn't help any so any help on this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
 
The cutters facing on way are shorter than the other ones, if they are the same then see if you can move your chain around in the groove of your bar, might need the rails dressed.
 
Hi everybody, I'm new here but I've ran chainsaws for about 2 years still kinda new to it I guess. But anyway I can't figure out why my ECHO CS400 cuts crooked now when i first bought it about 4 months ago it cut straight now it cuts like / angling to the left. I've sharpened the blade it doesn't help any so any help on this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Welcome to AS!

You probably sharpened the left cutters on the chain better than the right ones. Take a good look at the cutting edge and I bet you'll still see a bit of round over. So...the left cutters are probably removing wood faster than the rights. Give the rights a couple of good swipes with the file...

Post up a close up of the cutting edges.

This is a common occurrence.....It was one of my first posts to this site too. Here it is: http://www.arboristsite.com/firewood-heating-wood-burning-equipment/86315.htm
 
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Well just from eye balling it the teeth seem to be about the same length only the ones on the left look to have a steeper angle on um. So i guess I need to sharpen the teeth on the right a little more? Or at a steeper angle?
 
cut half way thru the log ,then go to the other side and finish the cut it will even out.


sorry, being a smart as tonite. your chain is sharpened to much on one side.
 
it's the bar

but you could try putting a piece of wood under your right foot
or sticking your tonge out to the right
or tacking the rackers off the left side of the chain
or bending the bar to the left
 
I'll try sharpening the right side of the chain a little more than the left if that doesn't help then I'll have the rails dressed.
 
IMHO # 1 cause is the bar needs to be trued-up. Misfiling teeth won't get as much of a slice going in the cut like a bad rail on the bar.
 
IMHO # 1 cause is the bar needs to be trued-up. Misfiling teeth won't get as much of a slice going in the cut like a bad rail on the bar.

This curved cutting was from poorly sharpened chain. OP.....does it look familiar? You also could try flipping the bar.
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95% or more of crooked cutting is a poorly sharpened chain. If you are free handing it you need to improve your technique or get one of the file guides that sets all the angles for you. I use one. I've been at this over 30 years and have never had the 'crooked cut' be due to the bar. It does happen but look first at the chain every time.

Harry K
 
95% or more of crooked cutting is a poorly sharpened chain. If you are free handing it you need to improve your technique or get one of the file guides that sets all the angles for you. I use one. I've been at this over 30 years and have never had the 'crooked cut' be due to the bar. It does happen but look first at the chain every time.

Harry K

Virtually anytime ive had problems with not cutting straight has been the bar needed dressing
 
waldo....

:rock:..... you are sharpening it wrong sweet sweet waldo...... now waldo i hope you dont make anymore more BANANA cuts this year......i know you are nervous and your socks hurt so save yourself some time ####### around and get a new pro chain....;)
 
Well this morning I had to cut a locust tree off of a barn that had fell on it last summer. Anyway I tried sharpening the cutters on the right side 5 strokes and the ones on the left side 3 strokes. It really cut good on limbs about 8'' in diameter or less. When i got in the big stuff about 12-15'' in diameter it started cuttin crooked again. So looks like I need to have the rails dressed.
 
Well this morning I had to cut a locust tree off of a barn that had fell on it last summer. Anyway I tried sharpening the cutters on the right side 5 strokes and the ones on the left side 3 strokes. It really cut good on limbs about 8'' in diameter or less. When i got in the big stuff about 12-15'' in diameter it started cuttin crooked again. So looks like I need to have the rails dressed.

How do the cutters look? Just because a file passed over them doesn't mean that the dull part was removed leaving a sharp cutting edge. I'm still betting that your chain isn't sharp.

Have you tried to turn the bar over? This would be a good test to see if it's the bar. Do you have another bar and chain to try? How about just a new chain?
 
Are you left handed?

I fixed my right banana cuts by actually paying attention to what I was doing and holding my saw a bit different.

When I would cit 8" to 10" i would cut straight. Move up to a 12" or 15" like you, i would cut crooked.

Read on here about applying pressure (left or right) different and the cut curving.

I tried holding my saw a bit different as to where I felt I was not leaning it one way more than the other and CAPOW, problem fixed.
 

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