Converting a chainsaw to concrete saw is not as complex as you may think. You will be amazed that it is one of those activities you will consider easy after you have mastered the process. It doesn’t require too many tools or equipment.
I will be telling you the things you need to pull this off. I will also make detailed explanations in a step by step format so that you can follow the process with ease.
To understand this process well, it will be very beneficial if you are familiar with chainsaws. It’s not until you are an expert to do this. Just get acquainted with the chainsaw and how it works. The conversion process is not really dangerous, and there is nothing to fear.
TOOLS AND SUPPLIES THAT ARE NEEDED
Everything you need is readily available in stores and workshops. That shows you that the conversion of the concrete cutter is not really a big deal. There are just a few things to get, they include:
- Spanners
- Lubrication
- Combination tools
- New chain
- Appropriate guide bar
- Befitting sprocket
Steps to Convert Chainsaw to a Concrete Saw
The steps you need to take are easy ones, and I will make them extremely simple. It is basically you replacing the regular chain of your chainsaw with a chain that can cut through concrete. Here are the steps to take to achieve that goal:
- Loosen the clutch lever by turning it in a counterclockwise direction. The same move will give you access to the bar nut. The clutch level is an external part that can be turned easily without having to use any tool.
- You can unscrew the bar nut with your hand but first, make sure you press the spring inside the lever. Unscrewing the bar wouldn’t take too much of your time.
- You can now take out the clutch cover along with the chain and guide bar. Take the unit out and carefully place them somewhere safe to prevent them from littering up the workshop or even causing accidents.
- Reach the circlip and loosen it with an appropriate spanner from your combination tool. It is straightforward. Make sure the tool is in perfect sync and turn it to get the circlip from the unit.
- Remove the unit components. Such components will typically include the O-ring, cup guard, retainers, and driving sprocket. Your new chain should come with a new sprocket that you will use to replace the former one. Having the new sprocket is a must. The former will most likely not be compatible with the new unit.
- Get the O-ring back in the appropriate space and lubricate it. Lubricate the O-ring and the area surrounding it with a good lubricant. Apply the lubricant with a small brush that won’t mess up the place.
- Now, it’s time to get the circlip assembled. You can achieve that by using your combination tool. After the circlip is in place, place a combination tool on it and hit firmly with a hammer to get everything tight and well secured.
- To fit your new chain, fit it on a befitting guide bar. The required guide bar may come with your chain, or you have to get it. It is not usually the same as the former guide bar; different bars for different chains. The sizes of the old and new pairs can be very similar in length and symmetry to fit into the unit.
- Get your chain and bar guide in position to fit with the new sprocket. That way, the new compartments are set, a combination of a new chain, a new bar, and a new sprocket.
- You need to fit the cover over these new parts, but before you do that, you have to understand how things work. The tension screw, lever, and adjuster pin work efficiently in a unique way. They must all be appropriately aligned before covering the setup. Ensure the pin fits properly on the bar hole as you place the cover over the unit and tighten it.
- Ensure that the spring is engaged in alignment with a corresponding hole that will be on the nut, turn the knob by hand to be sure of that.
- Create the required chain tension by making an anticlockwise rotation on the lever. With these moves, everything seems tight and securely connected, and that’s the aim.
- Grab the lever and gently rotate it upward as you hold the bar in a slightly tilted position. The tilt should be upward and not downward.
- Finally, make sure you carefully tighten the screw that keeps the bar in position. Tighten the screw till it is firm enough, and the saw looks proper. Move the chainsaw in multiple directions to confirm everything is in place and nothing is really shaking or vibrating.
- Ensure to carefully follow the procedures perfectly. If not, unscrew and make the necessary corrections. You can also refer to operation manuals for more help. They definitely will have a thing or two to tell you.
Those are the steps required to convert your chainsaw to a concrete saw. If executed properly, you would have no problems at all.
CONCLUSION
The steps required are not enough; the care required is even more critical. A concrete cutting saw is usually expected to have a cutting chain made of diamonds. That is why you are replacing the chain in the first place. Make sure you get an authentic chain and related components from a trusted distributor or manufacturer.
The component that will come with the chain should include the bar guide and the sprocket. These two components are required to fulfill the wanted function.
Also, make sure the size of the new unit is correspondent to the chainsaw. The same-sized with the former unit always does the magic, since it is to be driven by the same engine and generally set up.
Most importantly, make sure you are very familiar with chainsaws before converting one to a concrete cutting saw. That way, nothing can really get out of hand.
N.B. Try at your own risk. TheTooly.Com won’t be responsible for any damage to the tools or bodily injury.
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