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7

question about chainsaw maintenance

submitted by con77 to WhitePeopleThings 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 17:55:46 ago (+7/-0)     (WhitePeopleThings)

After last years hurricane I had two downed trees in my yard. I bought a 20V DeWalt 12" chainsaw. I had other tools compatible with the batteries.

It was just big and powerful enough to get the job done. One of the trees had white milky sap.

I thought that I had cleaned the tool well enough but this week when I tried to use it the chain was gummed up and frozen. On the blade chain guide every spot there was a link was a small spot of rust.

what can I use to clean this and get it functional again? The chain pivots on its links when I took it off.
Should I soak it? Any advice appreciated.


23 comments block

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[ - ] observation1 5 points 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 17:58:06 ago (+5/-0)

Soak vinegar 36 hours. Chain lube

Dont have chain lube try wd40

Optional:
Take to an ACE to have sharpened.

[ - ] con77 [op] 1 point 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 18:21:25 ago (+1/-0)

THX

[ - ] BoozyB 3 points 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 20:26:34 ago (+3/-0)

Don't soak the entire saw, just the chain and bar.

[ - ] con77 [op] 2 points 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 20:27:01 ago (+2/-0)

Doh!

[ - ] BoozyB 2 points 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 20:39:37 ago (+2/-0)

🤣

[ - ] HonkyMcNiggerSpic -1 points 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 18:30:52 ago (+0/-1)

Sharpen it yourself. Its not hard.

[ - ] observation1 0 points 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 19:18:54 ago (+1/-1)

I'd have to learn how. Only thing I know is if you don't, you'll regret it.

[ - ] HonkyMcNiggerSpic 1 point 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 21:27:39 ago (+1/-0)

There's plenty of vids. Its not hard. It takes about ten to fifteen minutes.

[ - ] AugustineOfHippo2 4 points 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 19:54:39 ago (+4/-0)

New chains are dirt cheap. Aside from that, spray brake cleaner all over it, the follow up with chain lube.

[ - ] bosunmoon 4 points 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 18:46:24 ago (+5/-1)

And here I thought women don't exist on the internet.

[ - ] con77 [op] 2 points 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 19:58:15 ago (+2/-0)

DOH!

[ - ] Spaceman84 3 points 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 18:49:31 ago (+3/-0)

Lots of options. Hot water soak, kerosene, mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, isopropyl alcohol, even WD-40 should work. I would do a hot soak first and then use something else to clean up what’s left.

[ - ] SapDust 1 point 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 20:38:23 ago (+1/-0)

Spaceman with the closest tip I know think mixture was like a gallon of kerosene to a quart of transmission fluid

[ - ] HonkyMcNiggerSpic 3 points 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 18:30:28 ago (+4/-1)

You have to unplug it then plug it back in

[ - ] con77 [op] 6 points 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 18:36:28 ago (+6/-0)

It's not your vibrator honky!

[ - ] Portmanure 2 points 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 20:14:49 ago (+2/-0)

Lessons I learned with my little electric chainsaw…Have two chains and buy a cheap sharpener, I use the harbor freight one. Have plenty of bar chain oil on hand. Keep both chains sharp at the start of any chore. Start cutting, switch chains as soon as it gets difficult to cut. Keep the bar chain reservoir topped off. It only takes 5 minutes to swap chains. Only slightly longer to sharpen them as they dull. It will make your chore go along well. Also, keep the proper tension on the blades during cutting, you’ll get a feel for it as you swap chains. You’ll ruin the chains fast but they are cheap.

[ - ] con77 [op] 0 points 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 20:21:56 ago (+0/-0)

Found the man's man

[ - ] lolxd 1 point 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 23:57:47 ago (+1/-0)

Chainsaws are great in all, but for alot of crap you can get away with just using a reciprocating saw and just replace the blade as needed.

Sticky sap best removed with oil removers, like paint thinner etc. Once you get all the gunk off you immediately need to re-oil everything before you make it rust.

[ - ] the_old_ones 1 point 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 21:42:40 ago (+1/-0)

baking soda, vinegar, wire brush.

[ - ] ruck_feddit 1 point 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 21:03:08 ago (+1/-0)

I have one of those. I use anything like wd40 and then work it forwards and backwards by hand WITHOUT the battery in it. No matter what I do it's pretty much as you described by the next time I need to use it. The bar oil seeps out too.

They're handy as fuck and I recommend having one even if you have a proper saw. Their pole saw is pretty decent too.

[ - ] con77 [op] 1 point 2 monthsApr 10, 2025 01:31:04 ago (+1/-0)

Mine leaks like hell too

[ - ] xmasskull 1 point 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 20:37:29 ago (+1/-0)

Brake-Clean,best option.

New chain,2nd.Best

[ - ] Kozel 1 point 2 monthsApr 9, 2025 20:16:48 ago (+1/-0)

warranty that bitch lol