Time for a new chain lube

Texasmark · May 29, 2023

The spray cans of chain lube are getting to be a joke....getting all the contents out. I am thinking about making my own. Chain saw
Bar and Chain Oil has an adhesive and made for roller chains (of a sort) but is thicker than I would like.....something for a hand held
squirt (lever activated), container. I was thinking about diluting with ATF which is what I do for my saws since I want more flow for
them than the thick OEM product provides. But, do I need a solvent too, like is in penetrating oils?

So, what works for you?
Thanks,
Mark

Aaron SEIA · May 29, 2023

Dad used to use diesel and used motor oil in a 1 gallon pump sprayer before he switched to cans.
AaronSEIA

Jim.ME · May 29, 2023

You don't say what brand(s) you are having issues with the cans not emptying. I have not had problems with spraying out CRC Chain and Wire Rope aerosol or Lucas Chain Lube aerosol cans. Lucas has their Chain Lube available in a 1-quart squeeze bottle as well, if you just plain want to get away from aerosols.

caterpillar guy · May 29, 2023

We just use old engine oil, or used transmission oil. Drained out when changed and save it for oiling chains on equipment. Don't thin with anything just paint it on or I let run and dribble it on the chains.

Texasmark · May 29, 2023

Liquid Wrench brand.

Texasmark · May 29, 2023

I used to do that in lieu of bar and chain oil on my chain saws until I had premature chain and bar failures.

Texasmark · May 29, 2023

I haven't seen that on shelves around here.....Lucas products yes, but not in chain lube.

Texasmark · May 29, 2023

Thanks for the replies.

wildwes · May 29, 2023

I generally use gear oil. It is cheap, and it is tacky enough that is stays on the chains well. Sometimes I use 30wt non detergent motor oil if it is what I have handy.

Jim.ME · May 29, 2023

(quoted from post at 09:33:24 05/29/23) I haven't seen that on shelves around here.....Lucas products yes, but not in chain lube.

A place that has some Lucas products on the shelf may be able to get the Chain Lube from their warehouse, if you ask. There is always Amazon and eBay, both have it listed.

Muir hill 101 · May 29, 2023

The reason why you change oil in an engine Is because its dirty if its not good in your engine its not good for your chains either

caterpillar guy · May 29, 2023

Well lets see most of the chains on Dad's old Gleaner E were changes after about 20 years using old engine oil and The little chain on the mower running the reel is I think the original or was changed after about 35 years. round baler has not had a chain changed since he got it in the mid to late 80's used olied with old used oil. I guess that is not to bad for dirty oil on chains. Yes it is changed in engines because of dirt wear and addtive break down the oil is fine and there is a difference between an engine and a roller chain. We use bar oil for the chain saws it stays on better and i tried other oil it didn't stay on at the speed of the chain.

wp6529 · May 29, 2023

(quoted from post at 07:10:14 05/29/23) ...Chain saw
Bar and Chain Oil has an adhesive and made for roller chains (of a sort) but is thicker than I would like....

You can get a light grade 10W? bar and chain lube, it's common in colder climates and much thinner than the summer stuff.

Muir hill 101 · May 29, 2023

The reason why you change oil in an engine Is because its dirty if its not good in your engine its not good for your chains either

wildwes · May 29, 2023

(quoted from post at 17:31:24 05/29/23) The reason why you change oil in an engine Is because its dirty if its not good in your engine its not good for your chains either

While that is true that oil is changed because it is dirty, there is a major difference in the level of contaminants and the acceptable clearances/tolerances of an engine compared to a roller chain. Just because an oil is too "dirty" to provide acceptable lubrication on an engine doesn't mean that it is too far gone for a chain.

Texasmark · May 30, 2023

Thanks for the inputs.

Muir hill 101 · May 30, 2023

I have had good luck with case ih brand and John Deere foaming chain lube justice brothers also has a good one . The nice thing about chain lube is it kind of dries so it doesnt collect dirt

86LG4T5 · May 30, 2023

I save my old motor oil and keep a 90W gear oil bottle around withe the pointy tip. Refill it with old motor oil and add liberally to the chains. I think it works great and it's free. Now if it was a motorcycle and my life depended on it, I would definitely buy the space age stuff.

showcrop · May 31, 2023

You are correct that you want flow. The trick is to get the oil INSIDE the rollers. That is why they have chain lubes that come out of the can watery thin so that they penetrate inside the rollers, then set up thick so that they prevent metal on metal.

Texasmark · May 31, 2023

I really liked Justice Brothers and may just bite the (shipping) bullet and order more from them. The ag. store where I used to buy it quit selling it, I had them order some and it finally came in, and the hassle wasn't worth it.

Time for a new chain lube

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