If you are working with a chainsaw, then you know that there are many chainsaw chain types. If you have not started your work yet, you might be thinking about which type of chain will be right. You need to choose the proper chain type for your chainsaw. Every chain type has been specified for a specific type of work. Broadly we can classify the chainsaw chain types into three categories.
It will help you to understand each type. Before choosing any one of them, you should know about each type. Then only you can decide which type is perfect for your chainsaw. If you choose the wrong chain, then you won’t be able to do your work. You will not get any desired result with a wrong chain type. You cannot choose any random chain type for your saw. Let’s look into all different chain types, and then you can decide for the right chain.
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Chainsaw Chain Types Available
Chainsaw chains are available in the market with many combinations and dimensions. It comes with different sizes, types, and features. This is due to the different types of applications of the chainsaw. Suppose you are already working with a chainsaw chain type. If the chain gets damaged, then you need to replace it. But for the correct replacement, you need to know its type. You cannot replace it with a different chain type.
Matching the right chain for your saw is not difficult. You need useful information for each type and differences among all the types. In this section, we will try to tell you about each chain type in depth. You can refer to our FAQ section to clear some of your doubts. But before that, understand each type in this section. This will clear most of your doubts, and you can proceed with your work. There are three essential chain numbers. You need to know each technical specifications related to the chainsaw.
Let’s have a look at these different chainsaw chain types. Try to decide the best chain for your chainsaw. You can follow some good online tutorials to understand them better. But tutorials will show these things in animation form. If you want to get full information, then go through this article at least once. These chainsaw chain types are classified based on their teeth and chain arrangements.
1. Based On Their Teeth Set
This one of the features to decide the type of chain. Different chain types have other numbers of teeth. Based on these teeth, we can broadly classify them into four main types. Let’s have a look into these types and try to understand them briefly. Don’t skip any of the types:
Type 1: Full Chisel Cutter
This type of chain has a squared corner. Because of this, they have a very high cutting speed. It works faster than other chain types. But these squared corners have a disadvantage. If you use this chain more often, then it will become dull, swift. If you use them for more working bars, then these chains will lose their sharpness.
Because of this aggressive shape, it is tough to sharpen them. It takes more time to sharpen them than any other chain type. Another important thing about these chainsaw chain types is it has kickback. They are at a high risk of kickback condition. Because of all these factors, these chains that are used only by experienced professionals. They know how to control them in a better way.
Type 2: Semi Chisel Cutter
These types of chains are round in shape. Because of this circular shape, they remain sharped for an extended period. When you want to cut the challenging part, then this chain will be the best option. You can use them with a dirty environment and workpieces. Its blade comes with high durability. It remains sharp even with the hard surfaces where other blades turn into blunted ones.
This round shape also reduces the risk of kickback. It overcomes many obstacles to the previous type. This can be used for home use. Some professionals also use these types. But it comes with a lower speed compared to the previous type. You can work with this chain type with less risk. It is easy to handle this type for a beginner.
Type 3: Micro Chisel Chains
These chainsaw chain types are almost similar to semi-chisel chains. They differ from semi-chisel chains in terms of the lesser sized corner. These types of chains come with round corners. These corners are smaller than that of semi-chisel chains. It is effortless to sharpen these types of chains. We can also use them for all kinds for all those workpieces, which ate suitable for semi-chisel chains. They give smoother cuts.
Type 4: Low Profile Cutter
At last, we come to this type of chain. It is the safest chain type to work with. These are the most forgiving chain type. These are the most popular choice for all the general-purpose work. We can use them for all kinds of small work. These are the ideal chain type for a beginner and casual user. You need to put less effort while using it.
Moreover, it comes with round corners. This feature is similar to the semi-chisel chain. Because of this, we can sharpen the chain more easily and quickly. We can do our work with less effort by this chain type. You can find this chain in any ordinary tool shop. These chains last for a longer period.
2. Based On The Chain Arrangement
This is the other way to categorize the chain types. It is based on the different chainsaw chain types arrangement that it uses.
Broadly, we are classifying them into three main types:
Type 1: Full Complement Chain
You will find this chain configuration in many places. It is a standard configuration of the chain for a chainsaw. Its configuration alternates between the cutter and drives link. This means that it has one drive link between the two cutters. We can even say that there is one cutter between two drive links.
So the configuration is like left cutter, drive link, right cutter, drive link, and so on. If you are doing any ordinary cutting work, then this chain will be best for your chainsaw. It has an adequate number of teeth. If you ask for a chain without mentioning the name, then you will get this chain only because this is meant for general purposes and home use.
You can use this chain for a workpiece of size less than 24 inches. If it’s longer than this, then you need to use another chain. That other chain type is mentioned in the next type. Have a look at the other type also.
Type 2: Skip Chain
Skip chains have one additional drive link compared to other chains. It has two drive links between each cutter. Other chains have just one drive link between their cutters. This chain comes with four usual configurations like left cutter, drive link, drive link, right cutter, and other such configurations. Because of so many configurations, this type of chain has fewer number of teeth than a full complement chain.
These chainsaw chain types are used with workpieces that are longer than 24 inches. It is challenging to get high turning power from a complete complement chain for long bars. But if you are not working as a professional, then you may avoid the use of this chain type because it is used as a heavy-duty chainsaw. If we are working at home, then we don’t have such long bars to work upon. So, we can complete our work with the former chain unless we need high powered work.
Type 3: Semi Skip Chain
As the name suggests, this type of chain is a hybrid of two chains that are mentioned above. It is a perfect combination of full combination and skips chain. If you want to have features from both the saw chains, you can go for this semi skip chain. It regularly alternates between cutting tooth and the drive link.
We can use this type of chain if we work with a long workpiece because we may need more operations variety in long bars. For a small workpiece, we can choose any one of full combination and skip chain. It gives you extra cutting capacity. But this is along with the long workpiece. You cannot use this chain with a small bar comfortably. Try to see all the specifications of this chain before using if for your working bar.
Safety Measures For Using Chainsaw
Do not use the chainsaw above your shoulder height or ground level. This needs a high amount of experience.
Always have another person along with you while working.
Never have any drugs or alcohol while using the chainsaw.
Don’t use your chainsaw when you feel to be fatigue.
When you are tired of using the chainsaw, then have a short break and start.
You can refer to our previous article for this. You can also use some good online tutorials for this purpose. Be attentive while using any chainsaw.
2. Should we file the chain?
Yes, you need to file the chain from time to time. If you do not do so, then it will result in unwanted chippings. It will also produce some unwanted dust particles. And you have to push it physically to work. You need to apply extra force to cut any workpiece.
3. How long can we use a single chain?
This thing depends on many factors. It depends on which kind of material you are using. Also, how often you are using it. If the chain is not sharp, then it will cause ignition and overheating. Then, it will not last for an extended period. If the chain is of poor quality, then it will cause overstretching. These things are not suitable for any chain.
4. How can I start my chainsaw if the engine is warm?
You can do this by pushing the red button up or on position. Now push the saw until it starts. Do not push the primer. Don’t pull the choke lever. The choke should be kept in off position. This will prevent the overheating of the saw and the chain.
5. How long will a 2-stroke oil last?
Generally, two-stroke oil lasts for about two years. If you don’t mix the oil will produce petroleum, then you can expect this oil tenure. If you mix petro, then the oil mixture will be safe only for 3 to 4 months.
Final Thoughts
Now, if you have followed this article, then you should be sure about the chain type that you want to use. It will merely waste your time if you are trying to attach the wrong chain type in your chainsaw. We hope that this article helped you in deciding the perfect chain type for your saw. It not only helps you in this but gives you proper knowledge about other chain types. You may need other chainsaw chain types for the different chainsaw.
After reading and understanding this article, you will not be confused about choosing the right chain type. You will be able to help another person also in this. It will help you immensely in your future chainsaw projects. You cannot rely upon google or any other tutorials every time. It will waste your time in choosing the right chain type every time. Once you understand each type, then you don’t need to surf through the internet for this each time. Try to understand each type carefully and full attention. We wish you the best of luck with your project!
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