Makita Chains & Chainsaw Accessories
Makita chains keep your saw cutting clean, not burning out in the cut.
When a saw starts throwing dust instead of chips, or you're leaning on it to get through, it's usually the chain. Makita chains and Makita chainsaw accessories cover the common pitch, gauge and drive link setups, so you can match what's on your bar and get back to fast, straight cuts without chewing the motor.
What Are Makita Chains Used For?
- Cutting fencing timber, sleepers, and general site wood where a sharp chain makes chips fast and stops you forcing the saw through the cut.
- Tidying up gardens and site perimeters by taking down small trees and sectioning branches cleanly, without ragging and snagging as the chain dulls.
- Property maintenance and clearance work where you need predictable cutting and easy replacement when you hit grit, nails, or dirty bark and take the edge off.
- Keeping a second chain in the box for long days, so you can swap over in minutes and sharpen the dull one back at the yard instead of losing time on site.
Choosing the Right Makita Chains
Sorting the right chain is simple: match it to your bar markings, not what you think "looks about right", because pitch, gauge and drive links must all line up.
1. Pitch and drive links (Must match your bar)
If the pitch or the number of drive links is wrong, it will not tension properly and it will either bind up or run loose. Check the bar stamp or your current chain packaging and buy the same pitch and drive link count.
2. Gauge (The groove fit)
If the gauge is too thin, the chain will slop about in the bar groove and cut wonky. If it is too thick, it simply will not sit in the groove. Read the gauge on the bar or measure the old chain before you order.
3. Keep a spare chain and sharpen properly
If you are working in dirty timber or near the ground, expect to dull chains quickly. Keep a second chain ready to swap, and sharpen with the correct file size and depth gauge setting so it keeps pulling itself through the cut.
Makita Chains FAQs
How do I know what size chain for my chainsaw?
Check the markings stamped on the guide bar first, as it usually lists pitch, gauge, and the required drive link count. If the bar is worn or unreadable, match those three specs from your current chain packaging or measure the old chain properly, because bar length on its own is not enough.
What is the difference between .050 and .063 chainsaw chains?
That number is the gauge, meaning the thickness of the drive links that sit in the bar groove. A .050 chain will not run correctly in a .063 bar, and a .063 chain will not fit a .050 groove, so you must match the gauge to the bar or you will get poor tracking, extra wear, or it simply will not go on.
Can I fit any Makita chain to any Makita chainsaw?
No. Even within the same brand, chains vary by pitch, gauge, and drive link count depending on the bar and sprocket setup. Buy to the bar spec and you will be fine, but do not assume "Makita fits Makita" without checking.
How do I tell if my chain is blunt or just badly tensioned?
If it is sharp, it throws proper chips and feeds without you leaning on it. If it is blunt, you get dust, heat, and it wants to wander. If tension is the issue, it will slap about on the bar or keep loosening off; set tension cold so the drive links sit in the groove but still pull round by hand, then recheck after the first few cuts.
Do I really need a spare chain, or can I just sharpen on site?
A spare chain is the sensible move if you are working all day or cutting dirty timber. You can swap in minutes and keep working, then sharpen properly later with the right file and depth gauge, instead of trying to rescue a chain in the rain with a half-worn file.
Who Uses Makita Chains and Makita Chainsaw Accessories?
- Groundworkers and landscapers clearing scrub and trimming back boundaries, because a fresh chain keeps cuts quick and reduces kickbacky grabbing in awkward timber.
- Chippies and site maintenance teams doing outdoor remedials and timber breakdown, who keep spare chains ready so the saw stays productive all day.
- Arborists and tree surgeons swapping chains to suit bar setups and timber type, then sharpening in batches rather than trying to rescue a chain mid-job.
The Basics: Understanding Chainsaw Chain Sizes
Chains are sized by three things that have to match your bar and sprocket. Get one wrong and the saw will not run right, or it will wear the bar out fast.
1. Pitch (Sprocket match)
Pitch is the spacing of the chain links and it has to match the drive sprocket on the saw. If the pitch is wrong, it will not mesh properly and you will get rough running and rapid wear.
2. Gauge (Bar groove match)
Gauge is the thickness of the drive links that sit in the bar groove, commonly .050 or .063. The right gauge keeps the chain running straight and stable, especially when you are cutting hard or leaning the bar into the cut.
3. Drive link count (Overall length)
Drive links are the number of links that run around the bar. This is what makes the chain the correct length for your bar, so it tensions up properly and does not bottom out on the adjuster.
Makita Chainsaw Accessories That Stop Downtime
A couple of small add-ons keep your chain cutting straight and save you binning bars and sprockets early.
1. Chain files and filing guides
This is what stops your chain turning into a dust maker. Use the correct file size and a guide so both sides get sharpened evenly, otherwise the saw will pull to one side and fight you through every cut.
2. Depth gauge tools
If your rakers are too high after sharpening, the chain will not bite and you will end up forcing it. A depth gauge tool keeps the cutters taking the right amount of timber, so it feeds properly and stays controllable.
3. Bar and chain oil
Run a chain dry and you will cook the bar and stretch the chain in no time. Keep proper bar oil on hand and check the oiler is actually throwing oil before you start a long cut.
Why Shop for Makita Chains at ITS?
Whether you need a straight replacement chain or you are stocking up on Makita chainsaw accessories for regular outdoor work, we have the range to match common bar sizes, pitches and gauges. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you are not losing a day waiting to get cutting again.
