A chainsaw blade is the most important part of a chainsaw, and without one, you can’t cut anything.
Many people are unaware that chainsaw blades are not interchangeable. The teeth of the blade dictate how many teeth per inch (TPI) it has, and this impacts its cutting power.
Blades with fewer TPI will be more likely to bind when they hit wood knots or other obstacles in the cut, so if you have a heavy-duty job planned, make sure your blade is designed to handle it.
There are some things you should consider before buying a replacement blade for your chainsaw. Chainsaws with different types of motors require different shaped blades to work properly. It’s also important to remember that the size and weight of your saw will determine what kind of blade you’ll need to use on it as well.
What are teeth per inch (TPI) on a chainsaw?
The number of teeth per inch on a chainsaw blade is measured by looking at the number of large, toothed gaps along its length.
A chainsaw blade with fewer TPI will be lighter and less powerful than one with more teeth per inch.
A larger saw requires a blade with many TPI because it will not be able to handle repeated use well otherwise. The additional power that the blade possesses will help it cut through thick materials quickly, without getting bogged down. Blades for small handsaws are often extremely sharp but have very few TPI, so they do not bind when making cross cuts in soft materials like wood or metal.
Different types of chainsaw blades have different numbers of teeth per inch, which determines how much work they can handle.
A blade that has more TPI will be able to cut through thicker material, but it won’t work as well for finer jobs like pruning trees or cutting firewood into smaller pieces.
An 18-inch blade with 60 teeth per inch will be perfect for someone who needs a chainsaw primarily to split logs, but if you need one to perform fine woodwork tasks instead of heavy-duty chipping, get something with fewer TPI instead.
You’ll also need different blades depending on the size of your saw’s motor.
A larger electric chainsaw requires a large 20-22 inch bar with lots of teeth per inch in order to function properly. A small engine chainsaw does not produce enough power by itself to handle a large blade, so you should get one with fewer teeth per inch.
If you have the appropriate blades for your chainsaw and your hands are not strong enough to change out the chain yourself, take your saw in to someone who specializes in this kind of work before buying new blades for it.
Poorly attached chains could be deadly if they fly off while the machine is still running at high speeds.
Are chainsaw blades interchangeable?
There are many different types of chainsaws and they all have specific blades. There is a difference between what the blade looks like and how it cuts, which means you cannot use one type on any other.
Even if two chainsaws look the same, their blades may be different in size or shape with some even coming serrated or notched to cut through wood more easily.
A chainsaw blade will always come with your purchase but if you need to replace it – make sure you get an appropriate match for whichever chain saw model you currently own and that the teeth on each blade match up so it can operate smoothly.
Different blades in a chainsaw can cause it to cut incorrectly and even break if it doesn’t fit.
How do I choose the correct blade for my chainsaw?
There are many different types of blades on the market so it can be difficult to choose which one is right for your needs.
Choosing the right blade can prove difficult if you don’t know what you’re looking for; however, there are some basic guidelines that will help make this process easier.
First, you’ll need to think about whether you’ll be using your chainsaw exclusively in a clear area for cutting small logs or outdoors cutting back tree branches.
If you plan to use it outside where there is more risk of encountering rocks and other hard objects, then you should buy a thicker blade with teeth spaced closer together so it can cut through all this without getting caught.
On the other hand, if you only plan on using your chainsaw for cutting wood in an open area, then there is no need to get a thicker blade.
You should choose one that is thinner with wider spaces between the teeth so it can cut through without getting stuck when encountering roots or rocks.
Choosing the right blades for your chainsaw is something you’ll have to think about carefully before making a purchase.
Points to consider:
- The type of work it will be used for.
- Your level of experience and comfort of handling the machine.
- The engine size and specifications on your particular chainsaw model.
