Chainsaw chain identification to select file size

[@joaodias7556]

Thorough, educational, this way I will be able to sharpen my chain without failing. Thank you very much.

[@TheInfoworks]

Thanks for the comment and your donation is much appreciated, cheers

[@jonathankerner2094]

A deep dive! I love it. Especially your "20% above top plate" remark for file sizing. Great way to know a size. Thanks!

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi, yes deep learning on bar and chain features, hope you subscribed, cheers

[@Ophiuchus123456789]

I need to watch this video several times. Andy is explaining everything clearly and perfectly but my mind keeps wondering. The subject matter of specs on the chain bores me to tears. I realise how important these details are yet I struggle to focus.

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi, there is alot of detail to cover several chains, all you need to know is what pitch your chain is and from this you can get the file diameter. Cheers

[@jroberts2226]

The man with the knowledge on chainsaw blades. Definitely worth watching, I've just bookmarked it.

[@TheInfoworks]

John, thanks for the appreciation, check out the other chainsaw repair videos and maybe subscribe, cheers, Andy

[@nobodythatyouknow241]

No blades on "chain" saws.

[@horaciocastillo1435]

I can not find any one in this subject videos saying anything about who makes the best quality chain files. Your video is very interesting and instructive. Thanks

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi, I use Stihl, Oregon, or Oberg and buy them in boxes of 6, cheers

[@chrisc9406]

Stihl make the best quality chains. Stihl has 2 factories in Switzerland dedicated to manufacturing saw chains and regardless of country of origin for their saw products the supplied chains are Swiss made. Furthermore, the 1/4" pitch 0.043" gauge picco chain is propriety to Stihl who introduced this mini chain cutter sizing. The finest watches, chocolate and saw chains come from Switzerland!

[@Bwanar1]

It's .875 or 22mm. The easier way to measure that, is to measure from left edge to left edge which is an exact point, instead of trying to decide (twice) where the middle of the of the rivet is.

[@TheInfoworks]

Point to point or edge to edge is the same. The main thing is that you don't need to be that accurate as there are only 404, 3/8, 325, or 1/4 pitch saw chains, beyond those used on harvesters. Between 3 rivets this gives 808 for 404 chain, and 3/4 for 3/8 etc. Cheers

[@Bwanar1]

Exactly my point. I was just pointing out that when precision is important, measuring from a fixed point is much more accurate than from an arbitrary one (where you decide the middle is). Nice video.

[@jhh243]

You have the world's largest chainsaw tooth. I had to subscribe.

[@TheInfoworks]

John, welcome onboard, cheers

[@Tommy_Mac]

In case it makes it easier for someone- measure from the leading edge of the pin to the leading edge of the other(third) pin. This is easier and more accurate than trying to measure to the centerline of the pins. Cheers!

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi, yep, you have a good point there, cheers

[@VitorMadeira]

And... Here I am again! This is the proof your videos are precious! I ask questions to KZbin and KZbin suggests your videos. ;) Thank (once again) and greetings from Portugal.

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi, you are welcome, hope this helps, you may also be interested in my books, cheers

[@jackmannjack1251]

Couldn't explain that better, that's as good as You can get. Sir, on NPTC assessments, question about chains and getting the right tools to maintain chain, is it chain on Your saw, or one will get few to inspect and measure, etc?

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi. It should only be the chain on your saw, so you should know what the pitch is, the file size and the depth gauge setting. make sure you have the right files and gauges, and that the files are sharp. If you have a information sheet, mark yours so you can find your chain on it easily during the assessment. Cheers

[@jackmannjack1251]

Andy Reynolds That brochure that You mentioned Sir is available to download on Stihl official web page www.stihl.com/sharpening-brochure.aspx#r=sidebar That's link, it might be worth to put into description.

[@TheInfoworks]

Thanks for the info, cheers

[@cuervovallejo2711]

Awesome video. I wish the industry would pic the best all around chain and have everybody use it, bars would be standardized and there would not be so much confusion.

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi, thanks for the comment, that idea would be helpful, however the small saws would not be a ble to drive the larger chains needs for the big saws, live is like that sometimes it just gets messy, cheers

[@jsof2]

Excellent- must get that Stihl booklet.

[@TheInfoworks]

It has lot's of detail, Cheers

[@kenee2362]

Fantastic information, thank you Sir

[@TheInfoworks]

Cheers

[@paulredline1736]

Hello, Thanks for this video. On your 404 chain the chain said .25 depth and I forget what the chart said, but it wasn't that. What did I miss ?

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi, don't think you missed much but depth gauges can be taken down to 30 thousands (0.8mm) but it makes for a much more aggressive cut, cheers

[@reneemellinger8157]

I found myself wandering too. A concise explanation of just what we need to know would be better. Use that big link and a cardboard cylinder to show where it is sharpening. But I will watch it again when the wife isn't home and turn up the volume and watching it 3 times might help too. No offense, just seemed too boring like the other poster said. I should make a short video I guess- but it takes a little work and good camera, microphone etc. and editing software to cut out what you think is useless. Good job Andy though.

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi, there is a lot more detail I could have added, cheers

[@ejkiras]

Thank you sir. Very helpful and much appreciated.

[@TheInfoworks]

Thanks for the comment, see chainsaw abuse video, subscribed? cheers

[@wildwoodtop]

excuse me Sir, could I be so kind to bother you with what size file to use with a 3/8 pitch, low-profile chain

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi, a 3/8 low profile chain is only found on small saws and is a called a pico chain. They are quite light weight and the file size is 4mm. Other larger 3/8 chains use either a 5.2mm or 5.5mm file. You should be able to find the details on line for the make of chain you use using maker and pitch, cheers

[@dentondunn4346]

@@TheInfoworks what is 5.2 & 5.5 in standard sizes? 7/32 13/64? I’m new to sharpening to chains. Just bought a Echo CS590 with 3/8 chain .50 chain that originally came on it. I’ve been told I can use 2 different size files

[@TheInfoworks]

@@dentondunn4346 Hi, you must be in the USA, 5.2mm is 13/64 and 5.5 is 7/32. Hope you have subscribed, cheers

[@manatworkhoyeahlovegodmade6373]

Jesus lights is on you 🔥 He is calling you brother 🔥 Crazy Horse

[@bushna2007]

Your chainsaw must be enormous!

[@TheInfoworks]

Right, just another day in the woods, subscribed? cheers

[@hogheadjeremy]

Hey Andy may I ask where you got that big cutter tooth you were holding up in the begging? I’d like to buy a couple of them , ty and God Bless

[@TheInfoworks]

J, it came direct from Oregon last decade, thanks for the sub, cheers

[@mikearcuri406]

Are Picco and LP (low profile) the same thing?

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi, Pico is a small cutter on a lightweight 3/8 pitch chain, low profile is small cutters on any pitch chain, cheers

[@noakeswalker]

Do some hand-held saws use .404 chains, or is it only really harvesting machines that use them ? I imagine they are a handful to control :o) I had to order a new chain for an old Poulan saw, and had to measure everything you mentioned, plus counting the number of links, as it was all so old and unknown....(it wasn't my saw) Cheers, Dave

[@TheInfoworks]

Dave, yes some of the larger saws have 404 chain. I had a Husky 2100 that was 404 and I have used Stihl 88 with the same pitch chain. Back to the old ways, pitch, gauge, and number of drive links, and check it is right before handing over the cash.. Cheers

[@petemiller519]

Good video Andy! Thanks. Cheers.

[@TheInfoworks]

Pete, thanks for the comment, subscribed? cheers

[@kirkyk5894]

Iv just got a new spear & Jackson my first chain saw with a origon chain on.do you know what file I’d need for that?cheers

[@TheInfoworks]

Kirsty, that's what the video is about, meaure the chain, or look in the manaul, but I imagine it will be a 3/8 pico chain, so 4mm file and the filing guide. cheers

[@joehead1294]

And for my US $0.36 worth- dime=.050, penny=.058, quarter=.063. Quick tip.

[@TheInfoworks]

Joe, the gauge is more important than many people think for efficient cutting, cheers

[@reneemellinger8157]

Make a giant link out of wood and paint it to look like metal- That'll work!

[@timarnzen4900]

Could you tell me a way to tell what file is used for a still arborist saw. Thanks

[@TheInfoworks]

You will need to find out the chain pitch and work from that, cheers

[@michaeltaylor8835]

This chainsaw thing is a whole sub culture

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi, so much to know beyond the obvious, cheers

[@philliphall5198]

Thank you 😊

[@TheInfoworks]

Cheers

[@thorthunder3227]

What is the measurements in decimals on the links and thickness?

[@chrisc9406]

The thickness of a chain drive link is the GAUGE and must match the width of the bar groove. A 0.043" GAUGE is 1.1mm. A 0.050" GAUGE is 1.3mm. The PITCH is half the distance between 3 chain links. The PITCH is always expressed as an imperial inch measurement so no need to convert to metric. Typical sizes are 1/4" (0.25"), 3/8" (0.375") & 0.325".

[@tomcoca6726]

Can I change the gauge on my chain saw from .050 to .063 and what would be the advantages disavantages

[@TheInfoworks]

Hi, you could but you would have to change the bar also and fit a new sprocket. With modern steels I don't see any reason to do this unless you are running log chains on a powerful saw, cheers

[@tonywright560]

Hi Andy, Despite doing numerous chainsaw courses, notions of pitch and gauge still confuse me. Your video is excellent but I still don't trust myself to get it right. I just go with feel on my two petrol powered saws (they both cut well) and I use what they give me on courses. I've just bought one of those little Ryobi cordless pole saws. The manual says that the chain pitch is 3/8". The gauge is 0.043". The chain model is Oregon 90JG033X. There are no specs for file size. Can you please suggest one? The model of the chain seems to have been superceded by something else. Thanks in advance.

[@TheInfoworks]

Tony, sounds like a 3/8 pico chain, that's a light weight chain with small cutters. 4mm file and file holder. Subscribed? cheers

[@tonywright560]

@@TheInfoworks Thanks mate. I'll check the cutter height tomorrow. I use one of those Oregon jigs for sharpening. Once you get them set up, they're great. My mates who are tree fellers would laugh at me but there you go. Subscribed? You bet! I can't remember how long ago. Thanks so much for your content.

[@notmyname3883]

sounds like 5/32nds inch. You'll know when you line one up in the gullet. It will either fit or it won't.

[@tonywright560]

@@notmyname3883 Different strokes for different folks. The more the strokes, the better the fit.

[@papavaliquette4978]

Thank you Sir.

[@TheInfoworks]

Cheers

[@rickieslider3925]

great video thanks

[@TheInfoworks]

Thanks, loads more where that came from, subscribed? cheers

[@sim6699]

Good to know

[@TheInfoworks]

Cheers

[@commonconservative7551]

that huge cutter won't cut cause the gauge is too tall

[@TheInfoworks]

HI, you are right, and it would only be suitable for a trenching machine. Its an Oregon training example and made of aluminium. Cheers

[@Dwaine0357]

nice work thx.

[@TheInfoworks]

Cheers

[@Sartonica]

You're confusing the viewer by referring to "millimeter" (mm) as "mils". A mil, as you know, is one-thousandth of an INCH. Also the gage thickness is not read as, for example, "one point six mil" (i.e., 1.60 mils or 0.00160 inches) but rather stated as "one-hundred sixty mils." Can you imagine a one-thousandth-inch thick drive link? 😀 Very helpful information in your video to those of us who are curious or novices.

[@TheInfoworks]

Tom, that is unfortunate, in the UK the abreviation for thousanth is thou and that for millimeter is mil, here yet again we have an example of a cultural dicotamy, cheers

[@2369chico]

You have a point about the terminology but if the viewer doesn't comprehend understand it. he's got no business playing with a chainsaw chain. Does everything have to be dumb down he's pretty much spelling it out. This guy knows what he's talking about

[@Sartonica]

Nobody should ever PLAY with a chain saw. "It's a tool not a toy," as my father would say.

[@MitzvosGolem1]

Nice thanks

[@TheInfoworks]

Cheers

[@MitzvosGolem1]

@@TheInfoworks cutting 47 big oak stumps down below 8 inches to use stump grinder. Dirt wipes out edges. Using three w Saws Husqvarna .325 .050 . Found bar rails wore wide causing bar to bind in cut. Thanks for helping others. Shalom

[@esteve801]

You should put that on a necklace

[@KaitlinBarrington]

Lol best glasses 😄

[@TheInfoworks]

Cheers

[@ИннаЗемцова-ц2х]

Chainsaw chain

[@timer664]

now thats a tooth

[@TheInfoworks]

Yes, aluminium and was supplied by Oregon, doubt if they do them now, cheers

[@jimking9198]

6

[@TheInfoworks]

Yes, the new stihl numbers, cheers

[@jakandle]

You have explained everything I needed to know and more. I'll definitely subscribe. Too bad about the language barrier and lack of attention span of some. I don't think you used any overly long or complex words. I'm sure they will find what their looking for elsewhere... All the best, Mark in rural Northants.

[@TheInfoworks]

Martk, thanks for the appreciation and the sub, there lots more country and self reliance videos on this channel, cheers, Andy