DeWalt 16 in. Chainsaw Chain, 56 Link

Why I switched this chain onto my 16-inch DeWalt

I put the DeWalt 16-inch chain on my DCCS670 to see how it would handle a stretch of storm cleanup and some routine firewood work. I expect two things from a replacement chain: reliable fit and predictable, safe cutting. This chain checks those boxes, with a few trade-offs that are worth understanding before you buy.

Setup and fit

DeWalt lists this chain as 3/8 pitch, 0.043 gauge, 56 drive links. On my DCCS670, it dropped onto the 16-inch bar without fuss and tensioned up properly. As always, I checked three things before the first cut:

• Cutter direction: teeth facing forward along the top of the bar
• Tension: snug enough that the chain doesn’t sag under the bar but still pulls by hand with a gloved tug
• Oil flow: a light sheen flinging off the tip on the first throttle blip

If you’re replacing a chain on a different saw or a non-stock bar, don’t assume “16-inch” is enough to go by. Match pitch, gauge, and drive link count to your bar’s specs. This chain is 3/8 low-profile in a 0.043 gauge; many other 16-inch setups are 0.050 and longer, which won’t interchange.

Cutting performance

This is a semi-chisel, low-kickback chain. In practice, that means it’s tuned more for control and edge retention than for absolute speed. In clean, seasoned hardwood (oak and ash in my case) up to about 12 inches, it tracked true and maintained a steady feed rate without grabbing. On softer woods like pine and poplar, it sailed through with minimal chatter.

Compared to a full-chisel, pro-oriented chain, cuts are a touch slower—especially noticeable on larger hardwood rounds where you’re pushing the bar deep and asking a lot from a cordless saw. The payoff is consistency: semi-chisel cutters don’t lose their edge as quickly when you encounter dirt, bark grime, or slightly frozen stock. After several hours of intermittent cutting and limbing, I still had a sharp, predictable bite with only a minor touch-up needed.

Chip size looked healthy and uniform once the chain seated in. If you see dust instead of chips after a few cuts, either your tension is too loose or you’ve already rolled the edge—this chain will tell you quickly by changing the sound and effort at the handles.

Vibration, kickback, and control

The ramped depth gauges and semi-chisel profile are doing their job. The saw stayed polite in the kerf, and plunge cuts into clean wood were manageable without the chain lurching. Low-kickback designs reduce the chain’s aggressiveness at the tip and during entry, which is a welcome trade if you’re cutting in awkward body positions or dealing with storm tangles.

Vibration felt modest for a 16-inch cordless setup. Over a couple of hours, fatigue at the front handle was noticeably less than with a more aggressive chain I keep for big bucking days. If you’re newer to chainsaws or you value control over outright speed, this profile delivers a calmer cut without turning the saw into a slug.

Lubrication and longevity

DeWalt’s drive links include a small channel that helps pull oil across the rivets. I can’t measure that feature scientifically, but I can report that oil distribution was even along the bar and the chain stayed cool. No blueing on the cutters, no dry squeal, and the rails looked well fed after each session. That, combined with the semi-chisel geometry, adds up to longer stretches between sharpenings in real-world, slightly dirty cutting.

Do yourself a favor during the first hour of use: retension the chain after the first few cuts and again after the first tank of bar oil. New chains stretch a bit as they seat. Running a loose chain is the fastest way to accelerate wear on the drive links and the bar tip.

Sharpening and maintenance

You’ll want a 3/16-inch round file for this chain. I maintained a 30-degree top-plate angle with a light, consistent stroke and kept the file height so about 20% sits above the cutter. Semi-chisel is forgiving to file and doesn’t demand surgical precision to cut well, which is another reason I like this style for general property maintenance.

A few maintenance tips that suited this chain:

• Touch up often. Five gentle strokes per cutter before it gets dull beats a full regrind later.
• Keep the depth gauges consistent. Check with a guide after every two or three sharpenings; the ramped gauges help with smooth entry, but if you never lower them, the chain will start to skid and dust.
• Clean the bar groove and oil hole. That lubrication feature can’t help if your bar passage is clogged with fines.
• Flip your bar at each chain swap to even the rail wear.

Durability and value

For a single-pack, the price lands in the middle of what I’d expect for a branded chain. The value shows up in fewer sharpenings and smoother behavior in less-than-ideal conditions. Over the course of a few cutting days, I needed only a light touch-up rather than a full-file session, and I didn’t notice accelerated stretch or any odd wear patterns on the drive links.

If your use case is clean, green softwood or you’re bucking big hardwoods and want maximum cutting speed, a full-chisel chain will be faster—but you’ll also be sharpening more often, and you’ll feel a jump in kickback potential and vibration. For general yard work, storm cleanup, and routine firewood where the wood’s not always spotless, this chain’s balance favors productivity over multiple days rather than raw speed in one afternoon.

What I liked

• Predictable, low-kickback entry with minimal chatter, even on awkward cuts
• Edge retention that holds up to typical yard grime and bark
• Smooth oiling and cool running under load
• Easy to file and keep consistent with a basic 3/16-inch kit
• Accurate fit on the DCCS670 with the listed 56 drive links

Where it could be better

• Not the fastest option in big, clean hardwood—full-chisel will win that race
• Only one chain in the pack; frequent cutters may prefer multi-pack value
• The low-profile, 0.043 gauge spec limits cross-compatibility if you run multiple bars or saws with thicker gauges

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and property managers who want a controlled, low-vibration cut with good durability
• DIY users who sharpen by hand and prefer a forgiving semi-chisel profile
• Owners of the DCCS670 running the stock 16-inch, 0.043 bar

Who should consider alternatives

• Users regularly bucking large-diameter hardwoods who prioritize maximum cutting speed
• Pros who prefer a 0.050 gauge setup for broader compatibility across their fleet
• Anyone who is meticulous about keeping wood perfectly clean and wants the fastest full-chisel bite

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 16-inch chain for DCCS670 owners who want a reliable, low-kickback replacement that emphasizes control, smoothness, and edge longevity. It fits correctly, files easily with a common 3/16-inch file, runs cool with consistent oiling, and stays sharp longer than more aggressive profiles when the wood isn’t pristine. If your work leans toward high-volume, clean hardwood bucking and you’re willing to sharpen more often for faster cuts, a full-chisel alternative will be quicker. For most property maintenance and storm cleanup, though, this chain hits the right balance and makes the saw feel composed and predictable in the cut.