Features
- Centri-Lube channel in each drive link to distribute oil from the bar to the rivets
- Ramped depth gauges for smoother, higher-speed cutting and reduced kickback
- Semi-chisel tooth profile that retains sharpness longer than full-chisel designs
- Meets ANSI low-kickback chain standards
- Low-vibration design
Specifications
Chain Pitch | 3/8 in. |
Gauge | 0.043 in. |
Drive Links | 45 |
Bar Length | 12 in. |
Chainsaw File Size | 5/32 in. |
Pack Size | 1 |
Compatible Model Example | Compatible with DCCS620 chainsaw (verify fit for other models) |
Related Tools
Related Articles
Replacement 12 in. saw chain designed for use with compatible 12 in. bars. Engineered for reduced vibration and smooth cutting with features intended to reduce kickback and improve wear resistance.
DeWalt 12 in. Chainsaw Chain (45-Link) Review
I put this 12-inch chain on a compact cordless saw and spent a long weekend trimming storm-downed limbs, knocking out a few yard trees, and bucking firewood to stove length. It’s a narrow-kerf, low-profile design aimed at smaller saws, and it plays to that strength: light, quick through softwoods and green wood, and easy on the wrists. It’s not the chain I’d grab for aggressive hardwood work, but for the right jobs it’s a willing, predictable cutter.
Fit, setup, and compatibility
This chain is a 3/8 in. low-profile pitch with a 0.043 in. gauge and 45 drive links. That combination is common on compact 12-inch bars but not universal, so check your bar stamp and drive-link count before ordering. It dropped on my 12-inch bar with zero drama, tensioned up easily, and ran true. If you’re pairing it with a lightweight cordless saw, the narrow 0.043 in. kerf is exactly what you want—less wood removed per cut and less load on the motor, which helps runtime.
Sharpening and maintenance are straightforward. It uses a 5/32 in. round file, and the cutters take a consistent edge at typical low-profile angles. Rakers (depth gauges) needed only minor touching after the first couple of sharpenings.
Cutting performance
In green softwoods and yard hardwoods under about 8 inches, the chain feels lively. Once tensioned properly, it pulls a clean chip, tracks straight, and doesn’t bog a small saw unless you lean on it. The design uses ramped depth gauges that keep it from biting too deep, and on a compact saw that’s helpful—you get smooth feed without stalling the motor. Crosscuts in pine and spruce produced healthy chips and minimal dust, and limbing was almost effortless. It’s a very manageable setup for one-handed branch work (with two hands on the saw, as you should), especially on a ladder or in awkward positions.
Move into denser hardwoods and the limits show up sooner. The semi-chisel profile is intended to retain sharpness longer in dirty or frozen wood than a full-chisel, square-cornered cutter, and that’s true to a point. But on dry oak and maple, I found the edge lost its bite faster than I expected; after a handful of cuts, chips started to thin out and the saw needed more pressure to feed. A quick touch-up with the file brought it back, but on a hardwood-heavy day I had to sharpen more than once to keep performance snappy. That’s not unusual for a low-profile, narrow-kerf chain on a smaller saw—it’s designed around control and efficiency more than brute speed.
Vibration, control, and kickback behavior
If you prioritize control and lower fatigue, this chain delivers. Vibration is minimal, and the saw feels notably smoother compared to more aggressive profiles. The low-kickback geometry (it meets ANSI requirements) and ramped depth gauges keep the nose behavior predictable. Burying the tip into a log to start a plunge cut felt composed—still a technique that demands caution, but the chain didn’t punish small positioning mistakes with violent kickback spikes.
For newer users or anyone doing extended pruning sessions, the smoothness matters. It translates to more precise cuts around fences, siding, or landscaping, and it’s kinder to elbows and shoulders during long days.
Lubrication and wear
DeWalt’s Centri-Lube channeling in the drive links is a subtle advantage. The idea is to pull oil from the bar groove and distribute it toward the rivets while the chain spins. In practice, I noticed two benefits: the chain didn’t stretch as quickly during the first tank or two of oil, and the rivets stayed cleaner with a thin film even when the bar groove picked up some dust. I ran into less squeal when starting cuts after the saw sat for a bit, and bar nose temps stayed moderate. You still need to keep the oiler working and the bar groove clean, but this design seems to make the most of whatever oil you give it.
Durability and sharpening
Out of the box, the factory grind was precise and consistent. The semi-chisel teeth sharpen easily with a 5/32 in. file; even quick, light passes restore the edge. That’s handy when you clip a bit of soil, bark grit, or a fence staple—it happens. I had the best results keeping the top-plate angle conservative and giving the rakers just a couple thousandths of a trim after every two or three sharpenings. That kept the feed rate even and reduced chatter.
In clean softwood, edge life is solid. In dry hardwood or debris-laden bark, expect to sharpen more often. That’s the trade-off: low-profile semi-chisel gives you control and versatility, but it’s not a “set it and forget it” cutter if you’re living in oak and hickory. I didn’t see any unusual blueing, chipping, or cracking; the cutters wore evenly, and tie-straps and rivets held up as expected.
Efficiency on battery saws
Narrow-kerf chains shine on cordless saws. This one helps a small motor keep chain speed up, which makes cuts feel cleaner and shortens time in the kerf. That also saves battery. With a fresh pack, I reliably finished a couple hours of pruning and bucked a small stack of limbs without swapping batteries, assuming I stayed away from constant hardwood ripping. If you’re trying to squeeze runtime from compact packs, this chain is part of that equation—keep the edge touched up and you’ll notice the difference.
Noise and user comfort
It’s a quiet chain in use, especially on a cordless powerhead. The low-vibration design, combined with the moderate bite from the raker ramps, makes it a good choice for neighborhood work where noise and control matter. Less vibration also means better cut accuracy; it’s easier to follow a pencil line when you’re trimming to length for joinery or firewood stacking.
Compatibility notes and buying tips
- Verify gauge (.043 in.), pitch (3/8 in. low-profile), and drive-link count (45) against your bar stamp. A “12-inch” label alone isn’t enough—some 12-inch bars use .050 in. gauge or different link counts.
- Tension properly: lift at the mid-bar and look for the bottom of the drive links just kissing the bar. This chain is sensitive to over-tightening, which robs power and accelerates wear.
- Flip your bar every chain change to even out rail wear.
- File size is 5/32 in.; carry one in the field. Two or three passes per tooth often restores performance before it gets truly dull.
Where it excels—and where it doesn’t
- Excels: pruning, limbing, and bucking small- to mid-diameter softwoods and green hardwoods; users who want a calm, low-kickback chain with predictable feed; maximizing runtime on compact cordless saws.
- Acceptable with caveats: dry, dense hardwoods. It will do the work, but you’ll sharpen more often and cutting speed won’t match a full-chisel chain on a bigger saw.
- Not ideal: dirty logs on the ground or demolition cuts with hidden metal. Semi-chisel tolerates grit better than full-chisel, but a thicker, more aggressive chain on a more powerful saw is the better tool for that.
Bottom line
This is a thoughtful, user-friendly 12-inch chain that prioritizes smoothness, control, and efficiency on smaller saws. The lubrication channels help with wear and stretch, the low-kickback geometry keeps tip behavior predictable, and the narrow kerf makes the most of compact powerheads. Edge life is good in clean wood and average in dense hardwoods; keep a file handy and it stays productive.
Recommendation: I recommend this chain for homeowners, property managers, and pros who run compact saws for pruning, yard cleanup, and light bucking, and who value a smooth, low-kickback feel and strong runtime on battery tools. If your work leans heavily toward dry hardwood or you want the fastest possible cut at the expense of control, you’ll be happier with a more aggressive, heavier-gauge chain on a larger saw. For its intended use, though, this chain is easy to live with and reliably gets the job done.
Project Ideas
Business
Micro-Arborist Pruning Service
Offer precision pruning for fruit trees and ornamentals using a compact 12 in. setup. The low-kickback, low-vibration chain enables controlled cuts in dense canopies; sell seasonal maintenance packages and upsell chain/bar health checks.
Storm Limbing and Yard Cleanup
Provide rapid post-storm limb removal and bucking of downed branches. Semi-chisel teeth retain sharpness longer in dirty, storm-debris conditions, while the oil-distribution links support full-day reliability.
Market-Day Chainsaw Carving Booth
Carve live at farmers’ markets or festivals—small sculptures, name signs, and garden art. The chain’s smooth-cutting, reduced-kickback design helps produce clean surfaces quickly; take custom commissions on-site.
On-Site Kindling and Firewood Prep
Turn homeowners’ fallen limbs into tidy campfire bundles and kiln-ready kindling. The 12 in. chain excels at fast, uniform bucking; offer subscription visits before camping season or holidays.
Mushroom Log Prep for Urban Growers
Serve backyard growers and micro-farms by cutting, beveling, and prepping hardwood logs for inoculation. Package services with delivery, moisture management tips, and optional follow-up trimming using the durable semi-chisel chain.
Creative
Mini Chainsaw Carving: Garden Mushrooms & Critters
Carve small log offcuts into whimsical mushrooms, owls, or gnomes. The 12 in. low-vibration, low-kickback chain helps with controlled shaping and detail work, while the semi-chisel teeth hold an edge longer when working on bark-on or slightly dirty wood.
Rustic Log Planter Modules
Buck and notch small logs to create stackable planters for herbs and succulents. The ramped depth gauges and smooth-cutting profile make repeatable, uniform cuts easier for clean corners and interlocking joints.
Live-Edge Coasters and Serving Slices
Slice branches and small logs into coasters and charcuterie rounds, preserving the natural bark edge. The chain’s oil-channeling drive links help keep cuts cooler and smoother during repetitive crosscuts.
Trail and Garden Wayfinding Signs
Rough out sign blanks from reclaimed timbers or fallen limbs, then carve letters and arrows. Reduced kickback characteristics support safer maneuvering for plunge and detail cuts in tight spaces.
Mushroom Cultivation Logs
Cut hardwood limbs into consistent lengths for inoculation with gourmet mushroom spawn. The semi-chisel profile tolerates bark and minor grit, and the low-vibration design reduces fatigue during batch processing.