What Are The Primary Parts of a Chainsaw Blade?

What Are The Parts Of A Chainsaw Blade2_

Want To Share This?

A chainsaw blade is such an important part of a chainsaw but it doesn't really seem like it has many parts to it...

Right?

There are many different parts though if you look closely enough and the detail that goes into some of these is astounding!

Let's take a look at some of the major parts of a chainsaw blade to get a better idea of what goes into them and how they work.

1. Chainsaw Pitch

The chainsaw pitch, measured in inches, is the distance between three rivets (or bearings) of your chain.

You can calculate your chainsaw's pitch by measuring the three-rivet distance and then dividing by two.

There are a lot of different pitches; the most used pitch for homeowners and professionals is 3/8" and 0.325".

What does this mean?

A larger pitch is tied to a larger chain, which is bigger and heavier than a smaller chain. When looking at the most popular sizes, the larger one, 3/8", is a good choice because it offers a greater balance between flexibility, weight, strength, and cutting speed.

However, this doesn't mean the 3/8" is better than the 0.325." The smaller chain is popular among professionals, too, because it is lighter than the larger chain, often considered to be "high speed," and cuts amazingly.

2. Chain Gauge

The chain gauge describes the thickness of the drive link where it slides into the guide bar's groove.

Similar to the pitch, the chain gauge is measured in inches. There are three standard sizes; 0.05" is the most popular and the other two sizes are 0.058" and 0.063."

As the chain gauge gets larger, the chain will be heavier and stronger, and these factors may affect the performance.

A smaller gauge offers better performance, but your chainsaw won't be as durable or as long-lasting, which makes sense if you think about it.

Your chain gauge must match the width of the groove in your guide bar. If these don't match, your chain won't have enough space to rotate around your chainsaw's guide bar.

3. The Cutter Teeth

Cutter teeth are one of the types of links on your chainsaw. The cutter teeth come in two parts; right-hand and left-hand cutters.

These teeth are the meat and bones of your chain. They are the cut force of the blade itself and chip away at the wood you are using your chainsaw on.

Cutter teeth come in different types too, which are called cutting tooth profiles.

4. Tie Strap

The tie straps connect the cutting teeth and drive links to each other. They do not have any teeth they just serve as a connection point,essentially.

When tie straps come with built-in rivets, they are called preset tie straps and when they come with only rivet holes, they are called tie straps.

5. Drive Sprocket

The drive sprocket is a gear wheel that turns the chain, which is not really a part of the chainsaw chain itself but is a crucial part worth mentioning, like the bar. 

There are different types of drive sprockets--rim & sprocket, spur sprockets, and sprocket bearings.

A rim & sprocket is cheaper than other types, and the rim is easier to replace, but it wears out quicker than the other types.

Spur sprockets drive the chain from the teeth onto the sprocket itself. If your spur sprockets wear out, you will need to replace the sprocket. These are more expensive than rims, but they last longer.

Sprocket bearings allow you to remove an old bearing and put a new one on. You only need to remove the sprocket and slide the bearing on, making them a little easier to maintain overall.

6. Drive Link

The drive link runs within the groove of your chainsaw's guide bar as the drive sprocket connects with the tang of the links. The drive link makes sure the power from the sprocket reaches the chain, so your chain rotates around the guide bar.

7. Rivets

Rivets are fasteners that are used to connect two pieces of metal or another material. They look like a screw, but their heads and shafts are smooth.

They create a connection that is stronger and tighter than a screw, since their smooth shaft is better at resisting side-to-side movement (known as shear).

Rivets leave no space between the metal and their shaft, so they form a tighter fit.

8. Guide Bar

The guide bar is usually made of sturdy steel alloy. It is curved and guides the chain during use.

Some chainsaws do not come with the chain preinstalled and is an important detail that some people don't think about when buying a chainsaw.

You can put the chain on yourself, but it is best to consult a professional to be sure it's done correctly, if you are not experienced with chainsaws.

9. Depth Gauge

The depth gauge is a tiny steel protrusion placed in front of each cutting tooth. The depth gauge determines how deep of a wood chip is taken with each cut.

If the depth gauge is too low, your chainsaw will take deep bites, which can lead to a loss of control and kickback.

For safety reasons, it's essential to keep your depth gauge sharpened and regularly maintain the specified clearances that are stated by the manufacturer.

10. Guard Link

Some chains have built-in guard links that are placed in front of cutter links. These guard links lessen the risk of your chainsaw snagging on small branches and regular timber by buffering the leading edge of the depth gauge.

This reduces the chance these items will affect your cut and are nice when working with trees that have lots of smaller limbs on them.

Want To Share This?

About the author

Ryan

I have been in construction nearly my entire life and have a fascination with tools and love when they make my life easier. Match that with my "research addiction" and you create something like this website!

1comment

Leave a comment: