Some chain saws take out more dust than wood chips out of wood. For others, they easily over heat and sometimes can be very daunting to use. In case you’re dealing with these kinds of problems when using your chain saw then it is possible that you have a low quality chain saw chain.
As soon as you purchase your chainsaw, it is possible that it doesn’t always come with the best chainsaw chain that would suit your requirements. Oftentimes, you will need one that can easily cut through thick and hard wood and sometimes you’ll need one that is best for cutting small and thin wood.
Whichever the case, replacing your chain saw chain can be quite a challenge. This is for the reason that choosing the wrong one could lead you to injuring yourself or even destroying your chainsaw.
So, to help you find the best chainsaw chain that suits your needs, we’ve laid out your best options in the market today. Along with the list of options are a few things you need to know with regards to chainsaw chains.
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**Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
The chain of the chainsaw is actually the main component of the equipment that cuts wood. It has a set of teeth which moves at high speed that bites through the wood and effectively cutting it with minimal effort.
While going for the conventional or ordinary chain saw chain in the market that can still deliver a good cutting result, it may not be compatible with all cutting needs. You also might want to find the perfect chainsaw chain that suits your needs in order to avoid injuries and not to break or destroy the chain saw.
Additionally, if using the ideal chainsaw chain for your specific model, you’ll be sure to have your unit last for a long time of use.
Finding the ideal chainsaw chain that best suits your needs is not as simple as a walk in the park. You’ll have to consider a few features that would guide you in making that final decision for a purchase. These features are as follows:
One important feature that you should always consider when buying your chainsaw chain is the material used for its tooth. Since the tooth will be the one that is mostly in contact with the wood that’s being cut, the tooth should be made out of sturdy or durable material.
Also, you don’t want to always be sharpening the teeth of your chain every time it gets dull or chipped as it can be quite daunting.
The type of tooth should also be considered when on the lookout for your ideal chainsaw chain. Among those commonly used types of chainsaw tooth include the full-chisel teeth and the semi-chisel teeth with the first cutting faster than the latter.
When trying to cut hard wood, it is recommended to opt for the semi-chisel teeth for the reason that it can cut through hard woods without dulling or chipping.
The depth refers to how deep the chain teeth can cut through the wood. When you’re trying to cut hard and tough wood, it is better to go for the options that have deeper gauges for deeper and bigger bite for that faster cutting.
However, you need to be cautious seeing that having too much depth can cause the teeth to get stuck within the wood. If this happens, it results in kickback and can also increase the chances for the teeth to be chipped or dulled.
The arrangement of the tooth in the chain means the ratio of the link drive to the chain teeth. For conventional chains, they are usually equipped with a ‘one is to one’ ratio. More recent chains on the other hand make use of ‘two is to one’ ratio with the drive links as two and tooth as one.
Also, there are semi-skip a chain which can shift from one is to one ratio to two is to one ratio for its drive link and tooth.
The gauge is the thickness of the chain’s chain links. These usually have sizes from .05 to .063 inches in standard chains. The ideal chain that you should look for is the one that matches your chainsaw guide bar. If you’re having problems finding out your gauge size, simply check your product manual.
The pitch is yet another important factor to consider when buying the right chain for your chainsaw. It is the distance between each of the rivets on the chain. The pitch is computed by dividing the sum of the total distance of 3 rivets by two. For you to have the ideal chain saw chain, you’ll need to make sure that the pitch matches your chain.
Adding to the factors that you need to consider when buying a chain saw chain, you’ll also want to bear in mind the kind of wood which you’ll be cutting. Harder wood requires thicker as well as heavier chain to avoid breaking and being blunt easily.
There are almost a ton of chain saw chains in the market today and it makes it difficult to find the perfect one that suits your needs. So in order for you to have a better idea of your choices and to narrow them down to a shorter list, we’ve came up with the top 5 chain saw chains.
This list of options is taken from a research of the most common as well as most effective brands of chain saw chains in the market today. Also, these options feature the best quality and safety.
https://www.amazon.com/Oregon-S56-Craftsman-Homelite-Remington/dp/B00004RA82/
This Oregon 16” Chain is an excellent option for a chain saw chain for the reason that it is a bit smaller than the earlier mentioned chain from Oregon. With its compact size along with its sharpened teeth, it can cut through mid-sized wood accurately and quickly. Having accurate cuts, it is a common preference by professional loggers.
This chain is designed as a semi-chisel chain that fits brands and models of chain saws such as Remington, Poulan, Homelite, Echo as well as Craftsman. This chain is durable with heat-treated as well as hard-chromed cutter material which ensures long chain life.
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https://www.amazon.com/Oregon-S62-18-Inch-Craftsman-Homelite/dp/B00004RA81/
This chain saw chain from Oregon, is actually one of the companies’ hard chromed cutter chains available in the market. It is designed to be durable and sturdy to last a long time of regular use. Also, its sharp cutters are easy to sharpen providing optimum wood bite and faster cutting.
In addition, it has a Chamfer Chisel –cutter along with a bumper drive link that reduces kickback for smoother cutting performance. It also has a 4-way symmetrical tie straps that regulates the connection of chain loops.
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https://www.amazon.com/Oregon-14-Inch-Craftsman-Homelite-S52/dp/B00004RA88/
This smaller length of Oregon chainsaw chain is an excellent choice for both professionals as well as the occasional users. It is easy to handle with its low-vibration and minimal kickback performance.
With its smaller size, this chain option is a lot easier to maintain and is also much lighter than other chains which also makes it more portable. Also, since it came from the Oregon chain saw chain series customers can be assured it is durable as well as safe to use.
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https://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-531300441-20-Inch-H80-72-050-Inch/dp/B000BOBWBG/
This chain saw chain from Husqvarna is all about power and fast cutting which is ideal for cutting wood with large diameters. With this longer chain, with its sharpened set of teeth with 3/8’’ Pitch as well as .050’’ Gauge, cutting thick trees will be just a breeze.
Also, it is designed for optimum performance with very minimal vibration or kickback. While many professionals use this because of its effectiveness in cutting large-sized wood, it can also be recommended to non-professionals seeing as it is easy to handle.
Among the list of chain saw brands and models that are compatible with this chain include: 455 as well as 460 Rancher, model 55 Rancher along with 261, 262 XP and 359.
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https://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-531300437-16-Inch-325-Inch-050-Inch/dp/B000BO4QTQ/
This chain saw chain from Husqvarna, is the smaller version on the chain mentioned above. It is ideal if you’re trying to make accurate cuts or when you’re trying to carve because it is lightweight, with shorter length that is easier to manage.
Compared to other models and brands of chain saw chains, this chain is compatible with a large variety of chain saws in the market today. As well, it is easy to adjust and install and is ideal for both the pro and non-professionals.
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Overall, we think that the ideal chain saw chain should be compatible with the most common brands and models of chain saws today. In addition, it is also an excellent choice to go for one that is durable and long lasting even with regular this.
With this in mind, we recommend the Oregon S56 16” Semi Chisel Chain Saw Chain that fits Craftsman, Echo, Homelite, Poulan, Remington range of chain saw models.
This 16 inch chain from Oregon not only provides optimum cutting performance but also gives comfort to the user since it is light and produces minima kickback. Also, the price is friendly and with durable material construction.
Would you agree that the Oregon S56 16 inches Semi-Chisel Chain Saw Chain is the best option in this list?
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My name is Emily Taylor, gardening is my passion and I’m looking forward to sharing it with everyone. I know that there are millions of people out there want their backyard and garden be attractive just like their front yard, so I am here to help you create your own backyard paradise.