The Complete Handbook of Chainsaw Chains
A practical reference for professionals, businesses, and serious hobbyists on selecting, maintaining, and using chainsaw chains correctly
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
A practical reference on chainsaw chain types, selection, installation, and maintenance. Written by and for people who cut for a living, not for looks.
About this book
If you make a living with a chainsaw, you know that a dull or improperly matched chain can turn a profitable job into a frustrating, unsafe afternoon. This handbook is the reference you've been missing. It dissects the chain itself—the cutters, depth gauges, drive links, and tie straps—and explains how each part interacts with your bar and your saw's engine to produce a clean, fast cut. You'll learn to read the numbers on the box to find a chain with the correct pitch and gauge, not just for your saw, but for the type of wood you're cutting. We go beyond the basics to cover skip vs. full-complement chains, the difference between low-kickback and full-chisel cutters, and how to sharpen for different wood conditions—from frozen spruce to dirty oak logs.
The book then moves into the practical, day-to-day skills. Master the proper technique for installing a chain and tensioning it on the bar, a task that, when done incorrectly, is a leading cause of accidents and premature wear. Develop a routine for sharpening that keeps a consistent hook and a correctly set depth gauge. Learn to troubleshoot by looking at the chips your saw is making and the wear patterns on your cutters, and understand what they're telling you about your cutting technique or a failing guide bar.
For those looking beyond their own saw, the final sections of the book explore the commercial side of the industry. We discuss how to identify quality manufacturers across budget, mid-range, and premium tiers, and outline realistic business models, from sharpening services to bulk resale to private labeling, with a clear-eyed look at the costs and the competition. This is not a sales pitch; it's a complete, practical map of the product category, designed to make you a more informed user and a smarter operator.
Reader Reviews
Laura Jackson
★★★★★I've been running a small tree service for ten years and thought I knew chainsaws. This handbook made me realize I’d been guessing on a few things, especially how to match a chain to a specific job. The explanation of the difference between skip-tooth for an 18-inch bar on a small saw vs. full-complement for a 36-inch bar on a big one is worth the cost of the book alone. I did find a couple of sections, like the business opportunities part, less relevant to my daily grind, but the technical chapters are solid, clear, and practical.
Joshua Davis
★★★★★As a firewood producer cutting maybe 15 cords a year, I consider myself a serious hobbyist. This book hit the right level of detail for me—it's not a dummy's guide, but it’s not full of academic jargon either. The chapter on maintenance and troubleshooting is excellent; it explained why my chains were dulling on one side and how to fix it (my bar was slightly bent). The only gripe I have is I wish there were a few more photos in the digital version to go along with the descriptions, but the text is precise enough that I managed.
Michelle Thomas
★★★★★The book is thorough and well-organized, I'll give it that. It answered my question about whether I can use a 3/8" low-profile chain on a saw that specifies only 1/4" (you cannot, and it explains why in detail). However, it reads more like a long technical manual than a handbook. Some sections, like the chapter on brands, feel a bit listless and weak. It’s informative, definitely, but it lacks a bit of the conversational spark that makes other workshop manuals a more enjoyable read. I'll use it as a reference, but I'm not sure I’d read it cover to cover.
Andrew Carter
★★★★★I'm an arborist and our crew buys a lot of chain, and we often argue about what's the best chain for a particular species or job. This book is essentially a referee. It clearly explains the engineering trade-offs between chisel and chipper, and how gauge and pitch affect the final cut. I appreciated the framework for evaluating chains, which I used to change what we order for our production saws. It’s a textbook, not a page-turner, but for what it is—a practical professional reference—it’s exactly what I needed.
Michelle Williams
★★★★★Finally, a book that treats the chain, not just the chainsaw, as the most important part of the tool. I had no idea that the depth gauge position was so critical to cutting speed and that I was likely over-filing mine, which was slowing my cuts and making the saw vibrate more. The step-by-step instructions for setting the depth gauge with a flat file are spot on and easy to follow. It’s on my shelf right next to the saw’s service manual, and I’m willing to bet it’s going to get used more.