When it comes to cutting wood, a chainsaw is one of the most efficient and powerful tools you can use. However, the cutting performance of your chainsaw depends heavily on having the right chain. Using the wrong chain can lead to slow, rough cuts, chain jumping, kickback, and premature chain dulling.
To help you choose the best chainsaw chain for your needs, here’s an overview of the top chainsaw chain types and their ideal cutting applications:
Chipper Chains – All-Purpose Cutting
Chipper chains feature chisel-shaped cutters that take small, scooping bites out of the wood. This makes them a great all-purpose chain that can handle both softwoods and hardwoods fairly well. Chipper chains provide a balanced mix of cutting speed, smoothness, and lifespan. They work well for most homeowners’ general cutting tasks like storm cleanup, tree removal, and harvesting firewood.
Suggested Uses:
- General property maintenance
- Firewood cutting
- Occasional tree felling
Chisel Chains – Fast Cuts in Softwood
Chisel chains have a flat top plate and sharp corner for making quick cuts through softwoods. The angular cutters slice cleanly through pine, cedar, spruce and other softwoods with minimal effort. Chisel chains also produce a very smooth cut surface. This makes them ideal for professional loggers, carpentry projects, and artists working with softwood mediums. However, chisel chains dull more quickly in hardwoods.
Suggested Uses:
- Logging softwoods like pine
- Finish carpentry
- Wood carving
Semi-Chisel Chains – Hardwood Cutting
As the name suggests, semi-chisel chains are halfway between a chipper and chisel design. The cutters have a partially flat top for increased speed in hardwoods but retain enough of a curved edge to maintain durability. Semi-chisel chains provide a good balance of cutting speed and longevity across a wide range of woods. They’re a great choice for cutting mixed hardwoods and softwoods.
Suggested Uses:
- Cutting mixed woods
- Tree services
- Farm and ranch maintenance
Full Chisel Chains – Fastest Cuts in Hardwood
Full chisel chains feature completely flat-topped cutters to aggressively slice through denser hardwoods like oak, maple, and hickory. This makes them the fastest cutting chain for felling large hardwood trees. However, full chisel chains have the shortest lifespan and require frequent sharpening and replacement when used on abrasive woods. They also produce a rougher cut than other chains.
Suggested Uses:
- Felling and bucking hardwoods
- Cutting lumber
- Competitive cutting
In summary, match your chainsaw chain type to the particular cutting application for best performance. Chipper chains are the most versatile for the average user. Chisel chains excel in softwoods, semi-chisels work well across mixed woods, and full chisel chains are ideal for making the fastest cuts in hardwoods despite the higher maintenance required. Refer to your owner’s manual for the proper chain gauge, pitch, drive links and other specifications needed for your model of chainsaw. With the right chain installed, you’ll enjoy much smoother, faster, and safer cutting.
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