The gauge, one of the important parameters of chainsaw chains, may still trouble many when it comes to chainsaw chain replacement. How to measure the gauge if you are not in possession of a precise measurement tool? This blog provides two simple and practical methods to figure out your chain gauge.

If you have no idea what those parameters mean and how to choose the right chainsaw chain, you can look through our other blog: How to Choose the Right Chainsaw Chain for a Beginner?

In the beginning, you need to prepare some tools and put on a pair of glove to work through the process and protect yourself from the risk of injury.

1. A Chainsaw
2. A flat head screwdriver
3. A socket wrench
4. Some Coins (a quarter, a penny, and a dim)

Method 1

The easiest way is to look right on the guide bar if your chainsaw is new. Usually, parameters are presented together on the guide bar, but after working for years, it is possible that the parameters on the guide bar would be hard to access. 

Of course, this print includes all parameters you need, the pitch, the gauge, the length of the guide bar, and the number of drive links. 

Method 2

Put off your guide bar

It is necessary for you to put off the guide bar and chainsaw chain to facilitate further testing. First, you can use the flat head screwdriver and the socket wrench respectively to loosen the tensioner and the nuts which are used to tight all things up together. Then, you can put off the side plate and release the saw chain from the guide bar.

Coin test

The coin test, based on the thickness of different coins, is the most practical way to identify the exact gauge of your chainsaw chain.

Initially, you should make sure that the groove of the guide bar is nice and clean. And then, you just need to use every coin you prepared to slide into the top groove of the guide bar. If the coin fits snugly without any resistance and fails to slide down, you can make sure the thickness of the coin is exactly the gauge of the guide bar.
Respectively, the thickness of a quarter, a penny, and a dim are .063 inches, .058 inches, and .050 inches, the common gauges on the market.

Conclusion

Here are two methods above for identifying the gauge of your chainsaw: one is to find the parameters printed on the guide bar, and the other is to perform the coin test, and either way can help to target your chainsaw chain gauge with ease.

Please let us know if this works and if you have any suggestions or comments. Or you can join us to feature your passion for repair projects, share your stories with the Hipa family and also get help from Hipa.