Chain Question ?

[VW Splitter]

I have several (11) good used chains that I bought on ebay. They are 7 different types, from 4 different manufacturer's. I need to find out the pitch and gauge of each to make sure they will fit one of my saws. Is there a web site that wiil have that information? For instance what is the pitch and gauge on Oregon 91 chain?:msp_confused:

 

[palbin]

An Oregon 91 is an 3/8 LP (Low Profile (Hobby)) chain - one of
the best of them/such, argubly ... .

What you can do is to locate manufacturer name (on chain) and
then find what chain you have through manufacturers homepag-
es - this will work if you have got yourself main brands such as
e.g., Carlton, Oregon, Stihl etc - you wíll find the manufacturer
name together with some code (e.g., 91) that will lead you to what
it is you have ... .

 

[chadihman]

I have several (11) good used chains that I bought on ebay. They are 7 different types, from 4 different manufacturer's. I need to find out the pitch and gauge of each to make sure they will fit one of my saws. Is there a web site that wiil have that information? For instance what is the pitch and gauge on Oregon 91 chain?:msp_confused:

A caliper will tell you the pitch and guage. Pitch is the distance between the two pins in a link. .325,.375 is 3/8" Then measure the thickness of the portion of the drive link that rides in the groove of the bar. That's your gauge.

 

[Guido Salvage]

Baileys's has a chart that cross references the various types of chain and lists what they are.

 

[palbin]

A caliper will tell you the pitch and guage. Pitch is the distance between the two pins in a link. .325,.375 is 3/8" Then measure the thickness of the portion of the drive link that rides in the groove of the bar. That's your gauge.

Pitch = the distance between three pins divided by two actually ... .

For some chains there could be a rather big difference between the
distances betewwen "odd links" and "even ones" - pitch is defined
as the average of the distance between two consecutive links ... .

Also, there is a possible slight risiko to mix/confuse 3/8 LP with (real)
3/8 ... .

Says CHAIN PROFESSOR ... .

 

[SawTroll]

An Oregon 91 is an 3/8 LP (Low Profile (Hobby)) chain - one of
the best of them/such, argubly ... ..... .

True, but there are many different Oregon 91 chain models, as it is with most other Oregon numbers.

 

[SawTroll]

.....

Also, there is a possible slight risiko to mix/confuse 3/8 LP with (real)
3/8 ... .

Says CHAIN PROFESSOR ... .

+ they aren't exactly 3/8" or .375 - they are .366 or so....

 

[chadihman]

Pitch = the distance between three pins divided by two actually ... .

For some chains there could be a rather big difference between the
distances betewwen "odd links" and "even ones" - pitch is defined
as the average of the distance between two consecutive links ... .

Also, there is a possible slight risiko to mix/confuse 3/8 LP with (real)
3/8 ... .

Says CHAIN PROFESSOR ... .

You the man! Sorry got the pitch thing wrong what was I thinking:msp_confused:

 

[Philbert]

Four basic things:

Pitch - distance between rivets;
Gauge - thickness of the drive links;
Drive Link Count - length of the loop;
Type - cutter shape and special features, eg: full chisel / semi-chisel cutters?, low-kickback?, narrow kerf?, skip tooth / full comp pattern?, etc.

The first three (mostly) determine if a loop will fit your saw/bar/sprocket combination, regardless of brand. The fourth determines it's intended use. Each manufacturer uses their own numbering system for marking their chains, and their own terms for common features (e.g. 'low profile' = 'Picco' = . . . ). Don't get hung up on that. Details for each manufacturer's chains are available on their respective websites:

Oregon: OREGON Maintenance and Safety Manual

STIHL: Chain Saw Chains - Oilomatic Saw Chains | STIHL USA Mobile

Carlton: 2013-2014 Carlton Catalog

Tri-Link: TriLink Products

Bailey's also has a good "Chain 101" section in their printed catalog (no longer produced), but you can ask for a PDF version here:
Husqvarna Chainsaws, Outdoor Power Equipment and Tree Care Supplies from Bailey's

Philbert

(P.S. - send me any you don't want - I'll find a home for them!)

 

[Philbert]

For instance what is the pitch and gauge on Oregon 91 chain?:msp_confused:

An Oregon 91 is an 3/8 LP (Low Profile (Hobby)) chain

Oregon series 91 chain is 3/8 Low Profile pitch and .050 gauge.

It can be made up in any loop length, but is usually recommended for bars no longer than 16 - 18 inches and saws up to 40cc.

It can have different style cutters, different cutter spacing, low-kickback or not, etc. . . .

Philbert

 

[palbin]

You the man! Sorry got the pitch thing wrong what was I thinking:msp_confused:

No - you are certainly right in "real world terms" man - I just
pointed out a "neardish" techincal detail ... .

Anyway, take a look at this Oregon 30 chain to see an example
of big difference between odd link and even link distances:

View attachment 296244

 

[Philbert]

Here's another good STIHL guide:

Saw Chain Identification | STIHL USA Mobile

Phlbert

 

[palbin]

Here's another good STIHL guide:

Saw Chain Identification | STIHL USA Mobile

Phlbert

Very good - one learns - here is a picture of a Stihl

View attachment 296274

As your reference link says one can read that it is a 0.325 0.063
from the "2" and the "6" - but how do I see that it is a "Rapid Mic-
ro" (as I know it is ) just from inspecting signs/letters on the
chain?

 

[Philbert]

:msp_sad:

. . .how do I see that it is a "Rapid Micro" (as I know it is ) just from inspecting signs/letters on the chain?

Again, some manufacturers stamp cutters and drive links with code numbers - some don't. If you look at the other STIHL reference, you can go by the descriptions and illustrations. Lots of combinations available using just a few basic parts. The full coding for the chain may only be on the original package.

The other issue is that styles change - you might have trouble identifying an older, or discontinued chain type using the current charts.

Philbert

 

[SawTroll]

Very good - one learns - here is a picture of a Stihl

View attachment 296274

As your reference link says one can read that it is a 0.325 0.063
from the "2" and the "6" - but how do I see that it is a "Rapid Mic-
ro" (as I know it is ) just from inspecting signs/letters on the
chain?

The 2 means .325 and the 6 means 1.6 mm (.063). There is nothing to ID it as a Rapid Mikro, except that it obviously is by the look of the cutters. That exact Chain is a 26RMC.

 

[MCW]

Rapid Micro is semi chisel and Rapid Super is full chisel. Full chisel has a sharper side to the cutter, not rounded like semi.

 

[palbin]

OK - as for Stihl - take a look at this one:

View attachment 296283

it is marked only with a "1" (for 0.043 inch 1.1 mm width), but
nothing else ... .

Obviously, anyone can see that it is a 3/8 LP chain, but why not
mark it as such if marking things at all?

 

[Philbert]

And just to confuse things more, some manufacturers will stamp something like '25' on the cutters to signify depth gauge settings, not model numbers . . .

Back to the OP, sort the chains by pitch, guage, and drive link count, and label them so you don't forget - don't sweat the rest until it becomes interesting to you.

Philbert

 

[Fish]

Well.....

They are trying real hard to live down their .404 pitch. .043 gauge chain, that was a tad embarrassing!!!!

 

[palbin]

Well.....

They are trying real hard to live down their .404 pitch. .043 gauge chain, that was a tad embarrassing!!!!

I think you are kiddin me . Probably well deserved ... .

Anyway, 0.404 pitch 0.050 gauge chains are very relevant
historically (if not presently) - they exist and can be bought
at a price ... .