Saw Chain Anatomy and Terminology

Chain Anatomy Video

Learn what parts make up the anatomy of a saw chain an the relationship between components.

Parts of a Chain Cutter

1. Top Plate: The top plate is the uppermost part of the cutter, serving as the primary contact point with the material being cut.

2. Cutting Corner: The cutting corner is the edge or area of the cutter responsible for making the actual cutting action.

3. Slide Plate: The slide plate is a movable part of the cutter that facilitates smooth and controlled cutting motion.

4. Gullet: The gullet is the recessed area between the cutting teeth, which helps in chip removal during cutting.

5. Depth Gauge: The depth gauge controls the amount of material removed during each cutting pass, ensuring precision and accuracy.

6. Heel: The heel of the cutter provides stability and support during the cutting process.

7. Rivet Hole: The rivet hole is the location where the rivet secures different parts of the cutter together.

8. Toe: The front part of the cutter that aids in guiding and positioning during use.

Four Basic Components of Saw Chain

1. Cutter
2. Rivet
3. Drive Link
4. Tie Strap

Saw Chain Identification

To identify saw chain you need to know the following:

Gauge

Chain Gauge is the Drive Link's thickness where it fits into the guide bar groove, matching the guide bar gauge. The gauge of the chain and the gauge of the bar must match. Oregon has several gauges of saw chain: .043", .050", .058", and .063". Normal wear can make it difficult to accurately measure chain gauge on a worn chain. Always order by the number stamped on the drive link of your old chain to assure correct gauge. Please see table below for more information.

Pitch

Chain pitch is the size of the chain and is defined as the distance between any three consecutive rivets divided by two. Oregon chain is made in several pitches - 1/4" is the smallest, 3/8" is the most popular, and 3/4” is the largest. Pitch is important because the drive sprocket must be the same pitch as the chain, and if applicable, the bar nose sprocket. The easiest way to determine the pitch of your chain is to look at the number stamped on the drive link. Please see table below for more information.

Cutter Type

There are various cutter types:
1. Chipper
2. Semi-Chisel
3. Chamfer-Chisel
4. Micro-Chisel
5. Chisel

Sequence

Saw chain sequences include: standard, semi-skip, and skip.

Saw Chain Family Specification Chart — Servicing Dealer

Not all saw chain and guide bar mentioned on the packaging or in search results will fit every version of equipment listed. To make sure you are getting the correct part feel free to call our Customer Service team at 1-800-223-5168.

Saw Chain Pitch	Saw Chain By Gauge
	.043"	.050"	.058"	.063"
1/4"		25
3/8" Low Profile™	90	91
.325"		20 95	21	22
3/8"		72	73	75
.404"				27 59 68

FAQs

What is chain gauge?

Chain Gauge is the Drive Link's thickness where it fits into the bar groove. The gauge of the chain and the gauge of the bar must match. Learn more.

What is chain pitch?

Chain pitch is the size of the chain and is defined as the distance between any three consecutive rivets divided by two. Learn more.

Why chisel chain cuts faster?

Rounded cutters must re-cut the end-grain grain several times until the full width of the “kerf” is reached. Chisel cutters are square and cut a full width “kerf” with every pass.