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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Chain Saw Lube

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Farmer Steve

11-11-2003 08:33:23




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Is there anything wrong with using old used motor oil for bar oil. I just bought a new STIHL and they don't recommend using old oil for bar oil. Any thoughts???




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farmer Steve

11-13-2003 15:58:46




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 Re: Chain Saw Lube in reply to Farmer Steve, 11-11-2003 08:33:23  
OK! Ok! You guys beat me up enough. I was going to use the STIHL oil anyway. They gave me 5 galons when I bought the saw. I was just wondering.
Thanks Guys



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Tom

11-12-2003 06:02:08




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 Re: Chain Saw Lube in reply to Farmer Steve, 11-11-2003 08:33:23  
Unbelievable!! Spend high dollars on a NEW Stihl and then be too tight-AXX to buy bar oil. What a dummy.



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John in MA

11-11-2003 22:58:30




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 Re: Chain Saw Lube in reply to Farmer Steve, 11-11-2003 08:33:23  
I don't care how I come off by saying this (it's really late), so I'll say it. Folks who promote the use of used motor oil in chainsaws are goofballs or "old farmer" types (no offense to good old farmers) who use duct to patch their compressor tanks.

Used motor oil is corrosive and magnesium (ie: your chainsaw) is sensitive to the slightest acid. Motor oil is lightweight and isn't always pumped well by the saw, and leaks out faster. Motor oil doesn't have the adhesive properties that bar oil does. And finally...drum roll....

You can buy gallons of cheap bar oil that'll be better than any motor oil, used or new, for a few bucks at a discount store. Why bother filling bottles of acidic car sludge?

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John in MA

11-11-2003 23:01:24




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 Re: Re: Chain Saw Lube in reply to John in MA, 11-11-2003 22:58:30  
Oh yeah, and if you need thinner oil in low temperatures, just dilute your bar oil with straight kerosese. That's the official way.



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Joel Harman

11-12-2003 03:03:42




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 Re: Re: Re: Chain Saw Lube in reply to John in MA, 11-11-2003 23:01:24  
Always figured the heat from the motor would keep the oil warm enough so it will flow but at start up one could have problems. Guess that's why most of us use chain bar oil. Residual bar oil probably keeps bar lubed until the motor heats up.
Think it costs me $3/gal.



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Ludwig

11-12-2003 06:40:31




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Chain Saw Lube in reply to Joel Harman, 11-12-2003 03:03:42  
I usually just spin it easy for a minute or two while the engine gets warmed up, figure that doesn't hurt anything and the friction will warm up the oil some.



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KURT

11-11-2003 17:04:39




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 Re: Chain Saw Lube in reply to Farmer Steve, 11-11-2003 08:33:23  
I use 10w30 motor oil usually, and I use WD40 and spray it right on the bar/chain before I start cutting. I have also actually dipped the bar in a bucket of used oil just to get a quick lube for the sprocket on the end of the bar. I have a Sthil 029 farm boss.



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RayP(MI)

11-11-2003 16:52:38




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 Re: Chain Saw Lube in reply to Farmer Steve, 11-11-2003 08:33:23  
Just for the point of discussion, the manufacturer of my old saw (SKILL -Partner) actually recommended 30 wt. nondetergent motor oil. I have followed their recommendation, somewhat, using the cheapest stuff I can buy. It has worked for me. I do not recommend you do the same, if your manufacturer specifies chain and bar oil, however. (I'll admit, it is tempting to filter & use used oils, however.)

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jim

11-11-2003 16:17:03




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 Re: Chain Saw Lube in reply to Farmer Steve, 11-11-2003 08:33:23  
I am not a Stihl dealer nor do I like the overpriced, things, but I have sold them and if you use anything other than Stihl oil then you are asking for problems, the biggest being by using cheap oil, the Stihl oiler will not work correctly all the time. So you make the decision, you have bought the saw, now at least spend the $4.99 a gallon for Stilh bar oil, and if the dealer is charging more than that, then you are being taken advantage of. If you use cheap bar oil and have a bar/chain/oiler failure, guess what, Stihl may not cover it under warranty.

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Russ

11-11-2003 15:02:10




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 Re: Chain Saw Lube in reply to Farmer Steve, 11-11-2003 08:33:23  
STIHL OF THE NITE; IF YOUR SHORT ON CASH ONE PAYCHECK TRY 50% ENGINE OIL AND 50% 90W GEARBOX
OIL STRAINED THRU A SOCK. WHEN THE FUNDING EMERGENCY PASSES GO BACK TO THE MORE EXPENSIVE
BAR AND CHAIN OIL. YOUR STIHL WILL THANK YOU AND IT WILL MAKE LESS VISITS TO THE NEW BAR AND CHAIN ESTABLISHMENT. ALL THOSE OTHER GUYS REMARKS ARE SO RITE ON THAT YOU COULD CUT ONE OF YOUR FINGERS
JUST READING THE WORDS. DO IT RIGHT.

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Jon

11-11-2003 12:41:35




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 Re: Chain Saw Lube in reply to Farmer Steve, 11-11-2003 08:33:23  
Steve - all the responses you got from the other guys are absolutly correct. With that said, 25 years ago I used to cut a lot of wood with a Stilh 031. At the time five dollars was a lot of money to me, and I used gallons and gallons of used drain oil. It worked, but I don't know if I spent more on bars and chains than oil. Now, I have a half dozen saws, more money and I buy "store bought" bar and chain oil. Not only does it stick better, but its cleaner when you slobber it, and when it runs on your pants leg from the auto oiler.

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Jim was in UK

11-11-2003 10:26:02




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 Re: Chain Saw Lube in reply to Farmer Steve, 11-11-2003 08:33:23  
Steve,
Go over to Walmart, TSC, or Gebo's and buy you some Chain and Bar Oil. This stuff sticks to the bar and chain and is a lot better. Not only will your new Stihl Chain Saw thank you, but so will your chains and chain bar. Back in the early 80's my father traded at this man that had a part time small engine sales and service shop. This guy suggested to my dad to save some money and use 90 wt. gear oil. After 4 months and the replacement of 2 chains and a chain bar, he finally figured out that he might be saving money on chain and bar oil, but was spending too much money for chains and chain bars.
Just my opinion, good luck with that new Stihl.
Jim

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DUH

11-11-2003 10:10:45




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 Re: Chain Saw Lube in reply to Farmer Steve, 11-11-2003 08:33:23  
You went and bought one of the best saws made and are to tight to feed it a good quality bar lube? I bet you must kick your dog also. I just paid $370.00 for my new Stihl and it's going to get the good stuff.



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Mac

11-11-2003 10:07:19




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 Re: Chain Saw Lube in reply to Farmer Steve, 11-11-2003 08:33:23  
Bar oil gives the clinging effect. Bar oil is 3-5 bucks. For your warranty protection on the new stihl, I'd pay the 5 bucks a gal for a while for their oil.



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Van

11-11-2003 09:12:25




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 Re: Chain Saw Lube in reply to Farmer Steve, 11-11-2003 08:33:23  
At $2.50-$3.00 a gallon for good bar lube why use old motor oil? Bar lube is cleaner and formulated to "stick" to the bar. The best I have found for use in warmer weather in my Stihls is the Poulan stuff from Wallyworld.



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Farmall_Nut

11-11-2003 09:55:15




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 Re: Re: Chain Saw Lube in reply to Van, 11-11-2003 09:12:25  
Been there, not a good idea. Bar oil, as Van posted, will stick to the bar. Used motor oil is basically just that, used. Pour it on squeaky hinges, lube up sickle sections, pour it on weeds but keep it away from your expensive chain saw.



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Ray,IN

11-11-2003 20:00:49




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 Re: Re: Re: Chain Saw Lube in reply to Farmall_Nut, 11-11-2003 09:55:15  
What he said!



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