How to Identify the Correct Oregon Chainsaw Chain
How to Identify the Correct Oregon Chainsaw Chain
There are many ways to identify the correct chain for your chainsaw. Firstly, it’s good to know the make and model of your chainsaw. However, if you are unsure of your model, here is a guide in order for you to identify the correct Oregon chain suitable for your machine.
The Chain Anatomy (Parts of a Cutter)
- Top Plate
- Cutting Corner
- Slide Plate
- Depth Gauge
- Gullet
- Toe
- Heel
- Rivet Hole
- Clearance Angle
- Depth Gauge
The Four Basic Components of Chainsaw Chain
- Cutter
- River
- Drive Link
- Tie Strap
Identification of Chainsaw Chain
In order to identify your chain you need to know the following:
- Gauge
- Pitch
- Sequence
- Cutter Type
How Chainsaws Work
- 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
- Attack Position - The cutter feeds into the wood and then begins to leave the guide bar
- In the Wood - When the cutter slices through the wood, it means it’s no longer touching the guide bar
- 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 is the Drive Link's thickness where it fits into the guide bar groove, it matches the guide bar gauge (both the gauge of the chain and the gauge of the bar must match). General wear and tear can make the accuracy of measuring the gauge on a worn chain difficult. On your old chain, there is a number stamped on the drive link. By using this number, it will ensure you have the correct gauge.
Once you know the make, model and bar length, there are some other features you need to know, such as:
The Chain Pitch is the size of the chain. It is defined as the distance between any three consecutive rivets divided by two. Oregon chain is made in several pitches:
- 1/4" - The smallest
- 3/8" - The most popular
- .404 - The Largest hand-held chain
The Pitch is important as the drive sprocket must be the same pitch as the chain, and if relevant, the same as the bar nose sprocket too. As mentioned above the best way to identify the pitch of your chain is by viewing the number stamped into the drive link.
Saw Chain Sequence
Cutter Types
- Chipper
- Semi-Chisel
- Chamfer-Chisel
- Micro-Chisel Chisel
- Full Chisel
Why Chisel Chain Cuts Faster
Rounded cutters must re-cut the end-grain grain several times until the full width of the “kerf” is reached.
Chisel cutters are square and cut a full width “kerf” with every pass.
What Size Guide Bar do I Have?
Your guide bar's length is represented by the cutting length ("called length"), this is different from its overall length.
The cutting length is the distance from the front of the saw to the tip of the guide bar (this is rounded to the nearest inch).
Top tip: If you have an Oregon guide bar, there is a part number stamped on the motor end; the first two digits, e.g. 16, will tell you the cutting/ called length.
How do I measure the length of my chain?
To identify the length of your chain, count the number of drive links in your current one. The drive link count is included in the chainsaw chain part number, after the chain type designation (e.g. 20BPX066, H66). Please Note: Your drive link count correlates to your guide bar’s overall size, which can differ by manufacturer. Oregon bars may take a different drive link count than another brand.
Retail and Oregon Chainsaw Chain
Oregon chain that’s sold in retail stores use a letter system which corresponds to chain types, the pitch and gauge.
Servicing Dealer
Not all chainsaw chain and guide bars mentioned on the packaging or in search results will fit every version of equipment listed.
Copyright Notice
No copyright Infringement intended. Please note all information used is for informational use only. All copyright belongs to Oregon Ltd at https://www.oregonproducts.com/en/findingtherightsawchainforyou
