Having a dull chain deteriorates the overall efficiency of your chainsaw and heats the engine quicker. This results in fatigue, chainsaw breakdown, and atrocious kickbacks as well. But Do you Know How to Find Chainsaw Chain Size?
Hence, we should have proper knowledge regarding How to sharper your chainsaw’s chain. In addition, we should also change the chains on a regular basis as they will eventually wear out.
However, if you are changing your chainsaw’s chain for the first time. Then, it will be a back-breaking task if you do not know how to find the chainsaw’s size.
I am a professional logger and I know quite much about chainsaws. Hence, in this article, I will be providing the easiest guide, on how to find a chainsaw’s chain size.
Table of Contents
How to Find Chainsaw Chain Size – 3 Simple Steps
Firstly, if you have your chainsaw manual, I will recommend you to have a look at that. As manual provides all the information you need to choose a replacement chain. However, if you do not have the access to the manual, then just follow the simple procedure which I will be giving in this article.
If you do not have the manual, then you need to simply look for three key measurements. These key measurements are pitch, gauge, and drive links.
1. Calculating The Pitch Size
Pitch refers to the distance between the drive links of a chain. We just need to precisely use a tape measure to find the correct pitch size for your chainsaw’s replacement chain.
- With the help of a tape measure, calculate the distance between any three rivets of the chain.
- Then, simply divide it by two.
- Here are some common pitch sizes 0.325, 3/8, or 0.404 inches.
For instance, if the distance between three randoms rivets comes out to be 0.75 inches. Then simply divide 0.75 inches by 2 and you will get your pitch size, i.e 0.375 inches. Voila, you got your pitch size. Hence, it is very simple.
2. Measuring The Gauge Size
Gauge refers to the thickness of the drive links of the chains. Measuring the gauge size is a little difficult than measuring the pitch size because it is difficult to measure the gauge size with a tape measure. As a result, I recommend using a vernier calliper for measuring the gauge size.
Some of the common measures of gauge size are 0.050 and 0.058 inches, followed by 0.043 and 0.063 inches. In addition, there are a couple of more common sizes as well. But, in the majority of the chainsaws, we will see this gauge size only.
3. Finding The Number Of Links
This is the simplest step as it does not require any measuring tool to determine the number of links. But, it is a long procedure because we need to manually count the number of drive links in the chainsaw.
Most of the time, we forget the point from where we started which is very frustrating. Hence, I recommend highlighting the starting point to eliminate the problem of over/undercounting the number of links.
Final Words
I will advise you not to go through these hassles if you are having a popular chainsaw. You may simply tell the brand of your chainsaw along with the model number in a hardware store and they will provide you with the perfect chain. In fact, most of the replacement chains packing mentions the chainsaw name in which they will fit. Hence, if you are having a popular chainsaw you need not waste your time finding the chainsaw chain size.
However, if you are having sufficient spare time or want to buy a different chain please measure the chainsaw before going to the hardware store. Furthermore, double-check the measurement to avoid wasting money on buying the wrong replacement chain.
If you still have any doubt left, please do let me know through the comment section. I will love to answer you and solve your doubts.
Resources
Here at Best For Customers, our team highly venerates the trust of our readers. Attributable to this, we have stern guidelines for sourcing to omit the spread of any false information. Furthermore, we refrain ourself from displaying the facts from tertiary sources as they might have some information that may cause harm to our readers.
- Chainsaw Chain Guide – Measurements, Sizes, and Types | Husqvarna https://www.husqvarna.com/nz/forest/when-working/maintenance/chainsaw-chain-guide/
- How to Measure a Chainsaw Chain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDYUvn6tTIE
- Chainsaw Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chainsaw
- Working Safely with Chainsaws https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/chainsaws.pdf
- Chainsaw Chain Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saw_chain
