#Chainsaw depth gauge how to#
#Chainsaw depth gauge full#

If you have to deal with hardwoods, this is the best chain type for cutting tree branches and firewood. These chains have square-cornered cutter teeth and they offer high cutting speed. Here we identify the different types of chains with their cutter types as every type has specific uses for cutting wood. This is why you will need the best chain sharpener products to come up with an efficiently sharpened chain. And because these two have different cutting corners, you have to use different chainsaw file sizes to sharpen them. Why? Because the cutter teeth are the only parts that bite into the wood while the depth guides serve as the guide by preventing the teeth from sinking too much into the wood. Now, among these parts, only the cutter teeth and the depth gauge do need to be filed or sharpened. These also shield the leading edges of the rakers. Some chains have built-in guard links that are positioned in front of every cutter link to reduce the risks of chain snagging when cutting small branches of trees and timber. These connect the cutters and drive links.Īcts as the fasteners in connecting the pieces of metals. These serve as the feet of the chain that runs within the groove of the guide bar. So for every raker, this should have the same height as the cutter tooth to avoid issues during cutting. These determine the depth of the cut by the cutters. These are the cutters in the chain that cut the wood and come in 2 styles: right-hand and left-hand cutters.Īlso called “rakers”, these are metal protrusions that are at the front of the cutter teeth. Nonetheless, all chainsaw chains have the same basic parts and you will know them better below.Ĭhainsaw Chain and Its Parts Chainsaw Pitch – This is the distance between the three rivets on the chain and measured in inches.ĭescribes how thick the drive link is and also measured in inches.

#Chainsaw depth gauge full#

A dull chainsaw can even be dangerous to use due to kickbacks.Ĭhainsaw chains come in 3 different basic configurations – the full chisel, the semi-chisel and the chipper chain.

#Chainsaw depth gauge how to#

Even with a heavy-duty chainsaw, if you don’t know how to sharpen the teeth of the chain and you’re using the wrong file size, your chainsaw won’t work well. How to find the best chain sharpener products in the market is important because the performance of your chainsaw also depends on the sharpness of its chain. Some of them are better used for logging, while some types are best for tree surgery and some for firewood cutting. Chainsaw chains come in different types and lengths. As you file, make sure the depth gauges keep their original shape so the cutters will feed smoothly.Anyone who uses a chainsaw knows that regular chain sharpening is a must and various chainsaw file sizes are appropriate for every sharpening process. Be careful not to file the depth gauge lower than the setting. If you find a depth gauge that is higher than the guide, use a flat file or a grinding wheel to file the depth gauge so it is lower than the cutter. One depth gauge will protrude from the slot at a time. Place the depth gauge guide on top of your chain. You can purchase them directly from the manufacturer or from your local dealer. The tool comes in different sizes, so it is important to buy the tool that fits your specific chainsaw. Purchase the correct depth gauge guide for your chain. Here are 3 simple steps to help you properly adjust your depth gauges: Step 1: Get the Right Tool The easiest way to ensure you are filing your depth gauge to the correct height is by using a specially made tool called a depth gauge guide. If your depth gauge is higher than the cutter, you will find that your chain will vibrate and cut unevenly, even if the cutters are sharp. Each cutter should be approximately 0.025 of an inch higher than the depth gauge. If the depth gauge is too low, the chain will cut quickly, but the risk of serious injury increases. If the depth gauge is too high, it will take longer to cut the wood because the chain will move more slowly. If the depth guide isn’t lowered as well, your chain will start to cut thinner chips. Every time you sharpen your chain, the cutter gets lower. The depth gauge determines how much wood is cut when the chain is pulled through it. If you look at the teeth on your chainsaw chain, the depth gauge is the metal point that sits in front of each cutter, which is also called a tooth.