Field Notes: Chainsaw Guides & Technical Insights

The Metallurgy of Durability: Why "Hardest" Isn't Best
An extremely hard chain isn't the best chain for Australian conditions — hardness trades off against toughness, so ultra-hard "pro" and carbide chains chip on rocks and dirty bark, and a file skates over them without cutting. A medium-hard, fileable steel chain lasts nearly as long between sharpens and can be restored in minutes on the tailgate. In the world of tool steel, there is a seductively simple myth: "Harder is Better." It seems logical. Harder metal resists abrasion. Chainsaws cut wood by abrasion. Therefore, the hardest possible chain should... Read more...
Chainsaw Chain Code Identification Chart: Reading the Stamp on Your Chain
How to identify any chainsaw chain from the code stamped on its drive link. Decode the Stihl, Oregon, Carlton and Husqvarna number-and-letter systems to find your exact pitch, gauge and cutter type — no calipers needed. Read more...
The Physics of Heat: Lubrication, Tension & The "Cool Down" Snap
Bar oil's primary job is cooling, not just lubrication — chain temperature can spike past 400°C in seconds without it. The most damaging mistake is tightening a hot, heat-expanded chain and leaving it tensioned overnight: as it cools and contracts, it can crush the sprocket bearings or bend the crankshaft. Heat is the silent killer of chainsaw gear. We often see customers bring in a "stretched" chain or a bent crankshaft, baffled by what happened. They didn't hit a rock. They didn't drop the saw. The culprit is Thermodynamics. In... Read more...
Diagnostics & Repair: Reading Your Chain's Damage
Chainsaw cutter damage tells you exactly what went wrong: a jagged, missing tip means a rock or wire strike, a fine "white line" glint along an otherwise intact edge means abrasive grit dulling, and blue or black discolouration means heat damage from friction that has permanently softened the steel. Each needs a different repair, not just a generic sharpen. A dull chain tells a story. Most people just grab a file and start grinding away the moment the saw stops cutting. But if you don't understand why the chain got... Read more...
The Rule of Threes: Sprocket Wear & Chain Rotation Strategy
The "Rule of Threes" means running a rotation of three chains on one drive sprocket, rather than one chain until it dies. It keeps chain and sprocket wear in step, so a fresh chain never gets hammered by a sprocket worn to fit an old, stretched one. There is a distinct difference between how a homeowner buys chains and how a professional logger buys chains. The amateur buys one chain. They run it until it snaps or the teeth are ground away to nothing. Then, they go to the shop,... Read more...
Summer 2025 Fire Safety & Machinery Guide
Summer chainsaw fire risk comes from three overlooked sources: fuel vapour igniting near a hot muffler during refuelling, a clogged spark arrestor choking the engine and creating a compliance breach, and setting a hot saw down in dry grass — a muffler running 300–500°C easily exceeds the roughly 300°C ignition point of dry grass. As we move into the peak of the 2025/26 Australian summer, the heat brings a specific set of challenges for machinery operators. Whether you are a professional arborist or managing a property, the Country Fire Authority... Read more...
Storms, Skills & The Physics of "Compression Wood"
A standing tree is predictable; a storm-fallen tree is a loaded spring. As the East Coast cleans up from the Boxing Day storms, we break down the dangerous physics of 'Compression Wood'—why it traps saws, how to read the hidden kinetic energy, and what the 2026 Core Skills listing means for the future of the Australian industry. Read more...
Husqvarna 564 XP Chain: The 60cc Power Wars and Stihl's Battery Push
The Husqvarna 564 XP runs a 3/8" pitch, .058" gauge chain — 68 drive links on an 18" bar, 72 on a 20", 76 on a 22" and 84 on a 24". Like most new saws it ships with a general-purpose factory chain rather than one specified for Australian hardwood, and swapping that loop is the fastest way to get what you paid for out of the powerhead. → Shop the Husqvarna 564 XP replacement chain — 3/8" .058" semi-chisel, all four bar lengths, Guaranteed Fit. The 60cc class has... Read more...
Maximise Your Milwaukee: The Ultimate Setup for Your M18 Chainsaw in Australian Conditions
The Milwaukee M18 chainsaw runs 3/8" LP .043" narrow-kerf chain — 45 drive links on the 12" top handle, 52 on the 14" bar, 56 on the 16" bar. A semi-chisel profile stays sharp far longer than the factory chain in dry Australian hardwood, and carrying a spare loop means a rocked chain doesn't end your day. If you have made the switch to a battery-powered chainsaw like the Milwaukee M18 FUEL, you already know the benefits. There is no mixing two-stroke fuel, no pulling a starter cord until your... Read more...
Chainsaw Won't Start? Here Are The 3 Most Likely Reasons
Nine times out of ten a chainsaw that won't start comes down to stale fuel, a flooded engine, or an air filter full of Aussie hardwood dust. Here's how to sort all three before you drive it to the shop. Read more...
Makita Chainsaw Chain Replacement: The Australian Guide (18V, 36V, 40V & Electric)
Makita battery and electric chainsaws (LXT/XGT and corded) run a thinner .043" (1.1mm) gauge chain, not the .050" (1.3mm) most petrol saws use. Fitting the wrong gauge either jams in the bar or drains the battery faster than necessary. If you own a Makita chainsaw in Australia, you likely love the convenience. Whether it's the 18V top-handle for climbing or the 36V (18V x 2) beast for firewood, they are brilliant tools. But finding a Makita chainsaw chain replacement can be a headache. Walk into a hardware or tool shop,... Read more...
Selecting Stihl MS 170 Chain Replacement: The "Hidden" Spec You Need to Know
The Stihl MS 170 takes a 3/8" low profile (Picco) chain in .043" (1.1mm) gauge — narrower than the .050" gauge sold at most hardware stores. Drive-link count depends on your bar: 44 for 12", 50 for 14", 55 for 16". If you own a Stihl MS 170 (the "Mini Boss"), you own one of the most popular chainsaws in Australia. It's the perfect tool for weekend cleanups, camping trips, and pruning fruit trees in the backyard. But if you've ever tried to buy a replacement chain from a generic... Read more...