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Is incorrect chain tension bad?
Put simply, if you have the incorrect tension in your chain, it can cost you in more ways than one!
A chain that is too tense can disform the black blade and result in some uneven and inaccurate cuts being made. This will cost you money as you will ruin the composite panels and need to buy more, and this cycle will only continue to repeat if the tension of the chain is not amended.
If you’re looking at your chain on your TPC165 and thinking to yourself it looks a bit too slack or tight, we would definitely recommend you make necessary alterations to the chain tension levels, or at least make sure it is at the right level. This small and easy task could save you time and money by helping you maintain your TPC165 at the highest possible standard of care.
Why do you need to check and change the tension?
If you have the incorrect tension and don’t check on this on a regular basis, it costs you more money!
A chain that is too tight can disform the black blade and result in some wonky cuts. This will cost you money as you will ruin the composite panels and need to buy more. If your chain is too slack, the blade will have a slight bit of freedom to move, meaning the chain will not run efficiently. You'll wear your chain out faster and that will cost you money to replace.
What is the process of checking tension?
- Remove the black casing (the part that has the extractor outlet on) from the unit
- Find the midway point of the entire blade.
- IMPORTANT POINT – the mid-way point of the shole blade, NOT just the part that is exposed before you removed the casing.
- Put your hands on either side and grab hold of the chain
- Pull your hands apart from each other gently
What does perfect tension look like?
There should be a little bit of wiggle room between the chain itself and the actual black blade when you move your hands apart. You should be looking for about 1.5 millimeters of play on either side.
If this is correct, you should be able to see about half of the small hole in the chain linkage. It is important to have this small bit of slack in the chain so you do not damage the chain or black blade with an extremely tight chain. Getting the right amount of tension will protect you, your tool and your work, keeping everything long lasting and as accurate as possible.
How do you change the tension?
If your chain is too tight, whilst the black housing is removed, use a screwdriver to make it slacker.
More than likely, what you'll find is that over time, your chain will become more and more slack just as the linkages wear and it does more work… in this case, do as above but tighten the screw.
Any Questions?
Keeping on top of your chain tension levels can be a challenge if you’re not sure what to do and how to maintain this at the right level. Hopefully, this article has given you a valuable insight into how you’re able to maintain the right tension levels in your TPC165 and keep your tool in optimal condition to not only look after it, but also get the best results.
If you have any questions about this, or you’re looking to purchase spare pieces for your panel cutter to keep it on peak performance, get in touch with us today! We’re more than happy to answer any questions you may have or help you find what you’re looking for.
