This chain sure seems good (Makita saw)

[livemusic]

Got this brand new Makita EA4300F, really liking it. And hmmm, it has safety chain on it --

chain 512 484 664
(15" / 38 cm, .050", .325")

I wonder who makes that chain? This chain sure does seem to cut good, anyone know any reason it would be good or is it just my imagination, lol. I'm thinking, heck, this is safety chain, but why would I need anything better? Also, I, regretfully, hit a surprise piece of metal today and I'm thinking, oh my, probably ruined my new chain (and what else?). But I inspected it and I couldn't find anything wrong with it, the chain just loosened up a little, and I started cutting again and it cut great. That really surprised me! I was first mad because I was thinking I would not be able to use my new saw over this holiday long weekend because I live in a small town but then I remembered that Makita sent TWO new chains in the box. That is classy!

Another idea... This saw has a very good reputation and I concur, liking it a lot. Do you think this saw could just cut 'better' somehow than other saws? Again, I'm thinking this safety chain sure does cut good!

 

[NSEric]

How big of wood were you cutting?
I've used similar safety chain in 3/8lp, it cuts fine in smaller wood and is very close to non safety chain when doing so. After the wood is 10 or so inches big it starts having chip clearing issues and slows down a lot. If you only cut small wood with this saw I see no reason to swap the chain.

 

[livemusic]

How big of wood were you cutting?
I've used similar safety chain in 3/8lp, it cuts fine in smaller wood and is very close to non safety chain when doing so. After the wood is 10 or so inches big it starts having chip clearing issues and slows down a lot. If you only cut small wood with this saw I see no reason to swap the chain.

Yes, it was small wood. Scrounging limbs off a big oak.

 

[Philbert]

Oregon probably made that chain, and probably sells it under their own label. Look it up by pitch, gauge, and drive link count.


Philbert

 

[Wilhelm]

Nothing wrong with safety chain unless You are coo-coo chasing for every thousands of a second in bucking speed.

The safety bumpers most likely helped protecting the cutter when You hit metal.
Those bumpers also prevent the chain from taking a big bite which in turn helps to keep high in cut chain speed.

No need to change anything if You like the feel and performance of Your setup.

 

[OldJack]

https://www.makita.ca/data/upload/parts_breakdown/EA4300FREC - SEP2019.pdf?tm=1567655894
Page 6

The Canadian parts list list a 512 484 672 18" LOW KICKBACK CHAIN .325 50G (95VPX72). The last 2 digits look like a link count, so your 64 link chain on a 15" bar would be equivalent to a 72 link chain on an 18" bar like my 5105.

http://en.oregonproducts.com/pro/products/chain/95VPX.htm
It's hard to see, but there's a 95 stamped in each drive link in the detail view.