Chain Guide
A chainsaw chain is made up of:
- drive links;
- tie straps;
- rivets;
- depth gauges;
- cutters or cutting teeth.
Which chain should you choose?
The difference between full-chisel, semi-chisel, and micro-chisel chains lies in the different cutting angle of the cutters, which gives the chain different characteristics.
Chisel
These chains feature teeth with sharp edges and square-shaped cutters, providing reduced kickback and minimizing vibrations transmitted to the operator. They easily separate wood fibers and deliver the fastest and most efficient cutting performance in soft, clean wood. They are ideal for professional use.
Ideal for cutting tough stumps or roots.
Semi chisel
They feature a rounded cutting profile, allowing them to stay sharper for longer and cut faster in dirty cutting conditions. Ideal for hobbyist consumer use.
Ideal for pruning small branches or plants.
Micro chisel
They have a profile that sits between full-chisel and semi-chisel chains, with a smaller radius than full-chisel and slightly more rounded corners. They offer a good balance between performance and ease of use and sharpening. They retain their sharpness longer, especially when cutting hardwood or working in dirty environments.
Ideal for intensive pruning work.
Chain pitch and gauge
The chain pitch is the distance between three consecutive rivets divided by two.
| Chain pitch in inches | Chain pitch in millimeters |
|---|---|
| 1/4" | 6,35 |
| .325" | 8,25 |
| 3/8" | 9,52 |
Chain gauge: Simply measure the thickness of the lower drive links using a caliper.
| Chain gauge in inches | Chain thickness in millimeters |
|---|---|
| .043” | 1,09 |
| .050” | 1,27 |
| .058” | 1,47 |
| .063” | 1,6 |
| Pitch (chain pitch) | Gauge (thickness) | Type | Tooth sharpening | Top plate sharpening angle | Tooth profile | Side plate angle | Depth gauge height | File diameter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 | .043" | MICRO-CHISEL | 90° | 30° | .025" | 85°-90° | 60° | 5/32" - 4.00 mm |
| 1/4 | .050" | MICRO-CHISEL | 90° | 30° | .025" | 85°-90° | 60° | 5/32" - 4.00 mm |
| 3/8 LP | .043" | SEMI-CHISEL | 30° | 35° | .025" | 85°-90° | 60° | 5/32" - 4.00 mm |
| 3/8 LP | .050" | SEMI-CHISEL | 30° | 35° | .025" | 85°-90° | 60° | 5/32" - 4.00 mm |
| .325 | .050" | SEMI-CHISEL | 90° | 30° | .025" | 85°-90° | 60° | 3/16" - 4.8 mm |
| .325 | .058" | SEMI-CHISEL | 80° | 30° | .025" | 80°-90° | 60° | 11/64" - 4.5 mm |
| .325 | .058" | CHISEL 72 | 90° | 30° | .025" | 80°-90° | 60° | 3/16" - 4.8 mm |
| 3/8 | .043" | MICRO-CHISEL | 90° | 35° | .025" | 85°-90° | 60° | 7/32" - 5.5 mm |
| 3/8 | .058" | PRO-CHISEL | 80° | 30° | .025" | 80°-90° | 60° | 7/32" - 5.5 mm |
| 3/8 | .050" | SEMI-CHISEL 50 K | 90° | 35° | .025" | 85°-90° | 60° | 7/32" - 5.5 mm |