Adjusting Your Wen Electric Chainsaw: A Step-By-Step Guide

how to adjust a wen electric chainsaw

The WEN electric chainsaw is a powerful tool for cutting down trees, bushes, and branches without the use of gasoline. It is essential to adjust and maintain the chainsaw properly to ensure its longevity and safe usage. This includes regular cleaning and sharpening of the chain, as well as checking the chain tension, lubrication, and inspecting for any loose or faulty parts before each use. Adjusting the chain tension on a WEN electric chainsaw typically involves loosening certain bolts, adjusting the tension screw, and then retightening the bolts. This process ensures the chain is tightened correctly and reduces the risk of kickback, a dangerous situation where the blade rebounds off the wood.

Characteristics and Values of a WEN Electric Chainsaw

Characteristics Values
Power Source Electric
Power Output 9-12 amps
Chain Speed 39-44 feet per second
Design Lightweight, limiting fatigue during operation
Lubrication Auto-oiling system for guide bar and chain
Extension Cord Cable strain relief notch to manage cords
Maintenance Clean and sharpen the chain regularly, check chain tension, lubrication, and machine parts before each use
Safety Wear protective clothing, gloves, and eye protection; avoid raising the saw above shoulder height
Warranty Two-year warranty and customer support

shunzap

Safety precautions

When adjusting your WEN electric chainsaw, it is important to take the following safety precautions:

Before each use, ensure that you are wearing appropriate protective clothing, including heavy-duty gloves and eye protection. It is also crucial to maintain a firm two-handed grip on the chainsaw at all times and to avoid raising it above shoulder height. Additionally, always ensure that the tip of the saw is not doing the cutting, as this can lead to a dangerous kickback situation where the blade rebounds off the wood and shoots back towards the user.

Always use the correct extension cord for your WEN electric chainsaw. Consult the chart in the first few pages of your user manual, which will specify the appropriate extension cord based on the length and amps of your cord, as well as the American Wire Gauge rating for outdoor use.

Regular maintenance of your WEN electric chainsaw is essential for safe operation. This includes cleaning the machine and chain after every use, regularly sharpening the chain (a good indicator is when the output is sawdust rather than wood chips), and checking the chain tension, lubrication, and all parts for any looseness or faults before each use.

By following these safety precautions, you can help ensure a safe and efficient experience when using and adjusting your WEN electric chainsaw.

shunzap

Chain sharpening

To ensure your WEN electric chainsaw is in good condition, it is important to sharpen the chain regularly. A dull chain will result in sawdust rather than wood chips, indicating that it's time to sharpen the chain.

WEN offers a #2306 Sharpie Electric Chain Saw Sharpening Kit, which can be purchased online. This kit can be used to sharpen the chain yourself, although the specific steps for doing so are not publicly available.

  • Always wear appropriate protective clothing, including heavy-duty gloves and eye protection, when handling the chain.
  • Release the chain from the chainsaw, following the instructions in the WEN Operator's Manual for your specific model.
  • Clean the chain thoroughly to remove any debris, sap, or residue.
  • Inspect the chain for any damage, including dull or broken teeth, and identify the cutting angle of the teeth.
  • Using a compatible sharpener, carefully sharpen each tooth at the correct angle, ensuring an even and consistent edge.
  • Reattach the chain to the chainsaw, following the instructions in the manual, and ensure the chain tension is correct.

By following these steps and maintaining your WEN electric chainsaw, you can ensure optimal performance and longevity for your tool.

shunzap

Chain tension

Proper chain tension is critical for the performance of your WEN electric chainsaw. Before beginning work, check that the chain tension is correct and continue to check the tension regularly throughout the job. A loose chain increases the risk of kickback and the chances of the chain being thrown off the guide bar. On the other hand, a chain that is too tight can prevent the chainsaw from turning the chain or cause the chainsaw to overheat, leading to a potential fire hazard and reducing the useful life of the chainsaw and its components.

To adjust the chain tension on your WEN electric chainsaw, first rest the chainsaw with the blade on a block of wood (ensuring the spark plug lead is off). Next, adjust the chain by loosening the side bolt(s) and then, on the inside at the front, adjust the screw until the chain is tight before retightening the bolt(s). You should be able to lift the chain and, with gloves on, check that you can still turn the chain by hand. The chain tension should be tight enough that you can pull the chain forward manually with ease and the chain should not sag at all on the underside of the guide bar.

Another method for adjusting the chain tension on a WEN electric chainsaw is as follows. First, loosen the 1/2 bolt on the bar and look at the bar when it goes into the housing—you will see the adjustment screw. Then, tighten the chain by turning the screw and, when you get it to where you want, tighten the 1/2 inch bolt.

Oregon's Intenz guide bars have their own built-in tensioning mechanism, allowing you to tension the chain quickly and easily. With Intenz, you don't need to hold the bar tip up during the tensioning process. First, loosen the bar nuts on the side of the chainsaw guide bar. Next, insert a screwdriver or chainsaw scrench into the Intenz slot of the guide bar. Then, turn the screwdriver or scrench clockwise to move the guide bar forward to the proper chain tension. Finally, tighten the chainsaw's guide bar mounting nuts, starting with the back nut before tightening the front.

Stapling Electrical Cables: Safe or Not?

You may want to see also

shunzap

Lubrication

To properly lubricate your WEN electric chainsaw, you must use two distinct types of oil: engine oil and bar and chain oil.

Engine Oil

The engine oil is mixed with the fuel to help lubricate and cool the moving parts inside the motor. To determine the ideal ratio of motor oil to gasoline for your chainsaw, check the owner's manual. Newer saws typically use a ratio of 50:1 or 40:1 gas to oil, while older saws usually require a ratio of around 30:1.

Bar and Chain Oil

The bar and chain oil is used to lubricate the chain during cutting, reducing friction and heat and extending the life of your chainsaw. It is crucial to select a bar and chain oil specifically designed for this purpose, as not all oil types are suitable. These oils come in various viscosities suitable for different temperatures, so choose an option that works for the current climate.

Before lubricating the chain, ensure it is clean to avoid too much debris. Then, with the chainsaw on a level surface and the bar side pointing downwards, open the chain oil cap and carefully fill the reservoir with oil. Do not overfill it. After waiting for the oil to settle, gently tighten the cap.

It is important to monitor the oil level when using the chainsaw for extended periods and refill the tank when it reaches the minimum mark. Regular lubrication of the bar and chain is essential to maintain optimal performance and prevent irreparable damage due to overheating.

shunzap

Power source

The WEN 14-inch and 16-inch electric chainsaws are corded electric saws that need to be plugged into a power source to function. The 14-inch variant provides 9 amps of power, while the 16-inch variant provides over 12 amps of power. Both are designed to run on a standard 15-amp household circuit.

When using the WEN electric chainsaw, it is important to use an appropriate extension cord to reach the desired outdoor location. The user must consider the length of the extension cord and the amps of the chainsaw to determine the suitable extension cord. The American Wire Gauge rating should also be checked to ensure that the extension cord is safe for outdoor use and can handle the electrical load.

While corded electric saws provide a constant power supply, there is a risk of tripping the circuit breaker, which can have dangerous consequences. It is crucial to use heavy-duty gloves and eye protection when operating the saw to minimize the risk of injury.

Frequently asked questions

First, rest the chainsaw with the blade on a block of wood. Ensure the spark plug lead is off. Adjust the chain by loosening the side bolt(s) and then, on the inside at the front, adjust the screw until the chain is tight. Finally, retighten the bolt(s) and lift the chain. With gloves on, check if you can still turn the chain by hand.

The WEN electric chainsaw requires a special bar/chain oil which is thicker than motor oil.

Clean the machine and chain after every use.

Release the trigger lock on the chainsaw and pull the trigger to power the saw. Always hold the chainsaw with two hands and avoid raising it above shoulder height.

When the output of the saw is sawdust rather than wood chips, it is time to sharpen the chain.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment