How to Identify the Correct Oregon Chainsaw Chain

Identifying the right chain for your chainsaw is straightforward. Knowing the make and model of your chainsaw is helpful. If you're unsure of your model, follow this guide to find the correct Oregon chain for your machine.

The Chain Anatomy (Parts of a Cutter)

1. Top Plate
2. Cutting Corner
3. Slide Plate
4. Depth Gauge
5. Gullet
6. Toe
7. Heel
8. Rivet Hole
9. Clearance Angle
10. Depth Gauge

The Four Basic Components of Chainsaw Chain

1. Cutter
2. Rivet
3. Drive Link
4. Tie Strap

Identification of Chainsaw Chain

To identify your chain, you need to know the following:

• Gauge
• Pitch
• Sequence
• Cutter Type

How Chainsaws Work

1. The Cutter Enters the Wood - The chainsaw chain cuts with a “porpoise-like” motion. The thickness of the severed cross grain is determined by the depth gauge setting.
2. Attack Position - The cutter feeds into the wood and begins to leave the guide bar.
3. In the Wood - When the cutter slices through the wood, it is no longer touching the guide bar.
4. Severed Wood Chip - The “clearance angle” allows the cutter to pivot out of the wood, severing the chip.

What is Chain Gauge and Chain Pitch?

The Chain Gauge refers to the thickness of the Drive Link where it fits into the guide bar groove. It must match the guide bar gauge. General wear can make it hard to measure the gauge on a worn chain. Look for a number stamped on the drive link of your old chain to ensure you have the correct gauge.

Once you know the make, model, and bar length, consider these features:

The Chain Pitch is the size of the chain, defined as the distance between any three consecutive rivets divided by two. Oregon chains come in several pitches:

• 1/4" - The smallest
• 3/8" - The most popular
• .404 - The largest hand-held chain

The pitch is crucial because the drive sprocket must match the chain's pitch, and if applicable, the same goes for the bar nose sprocket. The best way to identify the pitch is by checking the number stamped on the drive link.

Saw Chain Sequence

Cutter Types

1. Chipper
2. Semi-Chisel
3. Chamfer-Chisel
4. Micro-Chisel Chisel
5. Full Chisel

Why Chisel Chain Cuts Faster

Rounded cutters must re-cut the end grain multiple times until the full width of the “kerf” is achieved.

Chisel cutters are square and cut a full-width “kerf” with each pass.

What Size Guide Bar do I Have?

Your guide bar's length is represented by the cutting length (also called length), which differs from its overall length.

The cutting length is the distance from the front of the saw to the tip of the guide bar, rounded to the nearest inch.

Top tip: If you have an Oregon guide bar, the part number stamped on the motor end will indicate the cutting/called length; the first two digits, e.g. 16, will tell you this length.

How do I measure the length of my chain?

To determine the length of your chain, count the number of drive links in your current chain. The drive link count is included in the chainsaw chain part number.