Judging the right chain for your chainsaw is very important. It is a critical factor in determining the effectiveness of your chainsaw. The difference between an amateur and a professional operator is determined by the cutting skill and the knowledge of buying the right parts for the chainsaw. Your chainsaw’s chain is at the top of that list. If you don’t know how to select the right chain for your chainsaw, don’t worry, we have got you covered in this guide. This article will not only discuss the best chains for a Dewalt chainsaw, but it will also explain the procedure for selecting the best chain and list some of the best chains you can buy from the house of Oregon. Oregon is the market leader in making chainsaw parts and provides us with some of the best replacement chains.
Oregon has explained the chain anatomy and chain selection process in detail. Let’s begin our journey of selecting the best chain by knowing about the different parts of the chain, basic components, and how to identify the right chain for your chainsaw.
Parts of a Chainsaw Chain
- Top Plate
- Cutting Corner
- Slide Plate
- Depth Gauge
- Gullet
- Toe
- Heel
- Rivet Hole
- Clearance Angle
- Depth Gauge
Components of a Chain
- A chainsaw chain has four basic components.
- Cutter
- Rivet
- Drive Link
- Tie Strap
Saw Chain Identification
- To identify the right saw chain for your saw, you need to figure out the details of your chain’s following aspects.
- Gauge
- Pitch
- Sequence
Cutter Type
Let’s read more about these 4 points below.
Chain Gauge
Chain gauge is defined as the width of the groove where the chain fits into the bar. It matches the guide bar groove. When you select a chain for your chainsaw, the gauge of the chain and the gauge of the bar must match. The wear and tear on a chain can cause slight variations in the chain gauge, making it difficult to accurately measure. While selecting the chain, you must check the number stamped on your chain’s drive link and then buy a new chain.
Chain Pitch
When you divide the distance between 3 consecutive rivets by 2, you get the chain pitch. There are various chains available in the market with different chain pitches. You need to make sure that you are getting the right one for your saw. You can buy ¼ inches, (smallest of all) 3/8 inches (the most popular Oregon chain), and .404 inches (the largest handheld chain).
Sequence
Chain sequence is the number of blades or cutting teeth on the chain. You can choose between standard, semi-skip, and full-skip. A brief explanation of each type is given below.
Standard: It has the maximum number of teeth and is best for fast-cutting jobs. Professionals mostly use it on short to medium-length bars with extensive limbing jobs.
Semi-skip: It stands between a standard and a full skip. Though it is a versatile chain, it is least common with chainsaw users.
Full-skip: For people with long bars, a full skip chain is the best. It is perfect for cutting softwood and making long cuts. However, it won’t perform well in shortcuts, vibrates a lot, and has a high kickback risk.
Types of Cutter
The cutter type is further divided into three categories.
- Chisel
- Semi-chisel
- Low Profile Cutter
Chisel: They come with square-shaped teeth. It makes them very effective while cutting at high speeds. When you want to cut hardwood, opt for a chisel chain. It is best for felling trees, limbing, and making logs or stoves and firewood. Full chisel or chisel chains are not very durable, and they involve a higher risk of kickback injuries.
Semi-chisel: They are best for cutting softwood trees and operate at a relatively low speed than full chisel chains. They are also suitable for cutting in rough environments and when the wood is frozen or dirty. The risk of kickback is also lower in the semi-chisel chain. A semi-chisel cutter has round teeth. The only limitation is its low speed.
Low Profile Cutter: These chains are also known as chipper chains and commonly used by an average chainsaw operator. They come with round teeth and are the most secure option for a chainsaw. The kickback is risk minimal with them. A low-profile cutter is best suited for beginners and occasional chainsaw users. A low-profile cutter can handle softwoods easily.
How to Measure the Guide-Bar Size?
A guide bar size or length is the cutting length. It is the part of the guide bar which is outside the chainsaw. It is the distance from the front end of the saw to the tip of the chain. Most of the saws have mentioned the guide bar’s cutting length on it. Refer to the instruction manual to find it.
How to Measure the Chain Length?
You can determine the chain length by counting the number of drive links in the chain. Such information is usually given in the user manual or handbook.
We hope you can determine the right chain type and size for your saws after reading the above discussion. If you are still confused, you can contact the Oregon Customer Service Centre at 1-800-223-5168. You can also contact your chainsaw’s manufacture helpline, tell them the model number, and they will guide you in selecting the best chain for your particular chainsaw.
Best Oregon Chains for Dewalt and other Chainsaws
1. Oregon R56 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain for 16-Inch Bars, Fits Husqvarna, Poulan, Echo, DeWalt, 56 Drive Links– Overall Best
- Best for: Husqvarna, Poulan, Echo, and DeWalt
- Bars: 16 inch
- Gauge: 0.043”
- Drive Link Count: 56
- Pitch: 3/8” Low Profile
- Cutter: Chamfer Chisel twin cutter
- Ideal for: softwood and hardwood
This semi-chisel chain is perfect for Dewalt and other chainsaws with a guide bar length of 16 inches. Now that you know how to find out the guide bar length selecting the appropriate Oregon chain will be very easy. The chain is ideal for felling trees, making logs for firewood and stoves, and other DIY tasks. It has been made to give you a safe working experience and certifications from UL and ANSI low kickback requirements. The chain pitch is 3/8 inches, the gauge is 0.43 inches, and the drive link count is 56. The outer edge has been hardened with chrome to give durability and better cutting than other chains in the market.
- Smooth performance
- Best chain pitch
- Economic option
- Ideal for all types of wood
- No warranty
- A bit noisy
2. Replacement Oregon chain for DEWALT DCCS690B / DCC690 40V Lithium-Ion XR Brushless 16″ Chainsaw (9056)– Highly Durable
- Best for: 3.0-6.0 cubic inches (50-100cc) saw
- Gauge: 0.043”
- Type: Brushless
- Dimensions: 12.5 x 9.6 x 6.8 inches
- Cutter: Chamfer Chisel twin cutter
- Weight: 5.29 pounds
If you are looking for a replacement chain for your Dewalt 40V and 60V 16 inches electric chainsaw, this one is the best for you. It comes with a 0.43-inch narrow gauge, resulting in a reduced weight of the bar-chain combination. The LubriLink tie strap technology makes sure that less oil is used during the cutting process and helps you save some oil as well. It doesn’t compromise the lubrication of the chain. Chamfer Chisel cutters with twin cutting corners give high performance and enhance the chain’s durability.
- High performance
- Narrow gauge
- Ideal voltage
- LubriLink tie strap
- Reduces less noise
3. 6-Pack Oregon 20″ Loop Professional Chisel Chain 72LGX-72 Drive Links– For Professionals Only
- Best for: 3.0-6.0 cubic inches (50-100cc) saw
- Pitch: 0.375
- Gauge: 0.050
- Dimensions: 12.5 x 9.6 x 6.8 inches
- Weight: 5.29 pounds
- Ideal for: softwood and hardwood
- Recommended for: professional operators
For bigger saws with a guide bar of 20 inches, this chainsaw is perfect. It is best suited for cutting hardwood and softwood with long guide bars. The round chisel cutters give safety and cutting efficiency together. This chain has one limitation; it won’t perform best in a dirty cutting environment. If there is plenty of dirt and abrasive material involved in your work, we suggest you don’t buy this one. You can go to the options discussed above. The chain’s pitch is 3/8 inches, the gauge is .050 inches, and it comes with a standard cutter type sequence. Please note that this chain is only recommended for professional operators. It has a high risk of kickback injury and can injure the operator and bystanders.
- Smooth performance
- Good for hard and softwood
- Safe for use
- Efficient cutting
- Not good for dirty cutting environment