jpm
Platinum Member
many years ago i just used 30 n/d and it worked fine, but with newer saws the bar oil works better. just my $3.00 worth 
Chainsaw Bar Oil ??
- Thread starter blueriver
- Start date
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KubotainNH
Veteran Member
Hm, interesting that you are talking about this. I had to pull my FIL's chainsaw apart a month ago because the oiler stopped working. He tells me he's been running used motor oil though it the last few months. His oiler hose, deep inside of course, turned to goo. Maybe it was just old or maybe the crap in the oil broke it down but the timing was perfect if it wasn't the oil. Chain oil is cheap enough to use the correct stuff in my opinion.
LD1
Epic Contributor
Boy I have read toooo many of these bar oil threads. On this site and on arobristsite.com.
General consenus is used oil is BAD. Sure, some get lucky and never have a problem. But those people are the ones only running a saw a few times a year and would only have to buy a gallon or two of bar oil anyway. So you are trying to save $15 or less
IMO the best bar oil I have found is the tsc stuff. It just seems to be tackier than the rest. And most of this year it has been on sale for 6.99/gal.
It is not the chain I am worried about. You can run used motor oil and still wear the chain out (sharpen enough there are no cutters left) before the oiling becomes an issue. But with bars costing $50 or so for a good 20-24" bar, replacing them more often than necessary is not something I want to do. Not to mention that used oil you are pumping through your oiler.Those arent cheap or easy to replace either. But to each is own.
If you are the guys running the $100 poulan walmart specials and running 87 octane gas, then use the used oil. But there is no way I am going to dump that in my $700-$800 saws. Not when bar oil is a minimal cost in a firewood cutting operation.
Would you put motor oil in your transmission, or hydraulic oil in your engine just to save a few $$??? Buy the right oil for the job. And if you are using MAXlife of whatever oil in your car and run that in your saw, that is bad news. Those high mileage oils have addatives that causes rubber seals and stuff to swell and seal again.(I think they advertise it as "renewing old seals). This is very bad on your rubber pickup hose.
And to the guy paying $38 for stihl oil, either you bought their environmentally friendly biodegradable vegtable oil, or they are seriously taking advantage of you. There regular bar oil is 10-15 bucks.
General consenus is used oil is BAD. Sure, some get lucky and never have a problem. But those people are the ones only running a saw a few times a year and would only have to buy a gallon or two of bar oil anyway. So you are trying to save $15 or less
IMO the best bar oil I have found is the tsc stuff. It just seems to be tackier than the rest. And most of this year it has been on sale for 6.99/gal.
It is not the chain I am worried about. You can run used motor oil and still wear the chain out (sharpen enough there are no cutters left) before the oiling becomes an issue. But with bars costing $50 or so for a good 20-24" bar, replacing them more often than necessary is not something I want to do. Not to mention that used oil you are pumping through your oiler.Those arent cheap or easy to replace either. But to each is own.
If you are the guys running the $100 poulan walmart specials and running 87 octane gas, then use the used oil. But there is no way I am going to dump that in my $700-$800 saws. Not when bar oil is a minimal cost in a firewood cutting operation.
Would you put motor oil in your transmission, or hydraulic oil in your engine just to save a few $$??? Buy the right oil for the job. And if you are using MAXlife of whatever oil in your car and run that in your saw, that is bad news. Those high mileage oils have addatives that causes rubber seals and stuff to swell and seal again.(I think they advertise it as "renewing old seals). This is very bad on your rubber pickup hose.
And to the guy paying $38 for stihl oil, either you bought their environmentally friendly biodegradable vegtable oil, or they are seriously taking advantage of you. There regular bar oil is 10-15 bucks.
The shop I bought my Dolmar from recommended using 100% corn oil for the bar oil. claims it has a higher flash point and is better for the envronment. I've been using it for over a year now and have not seen any problems.
bdeboer
Platinum Member
I grabbed a gallon there due to convenience, but I will remember this when I purchase another saw soon.
beppington
Elite Member
I buy generic "bar & chain oil" from WalMart or Home Depot. "Reasonably" priced (still too high for flippin' oil, but whatever) & seems to work fine in my Stihl pole saw. Needs re-filling at almost the exact same rate as the fuel.
firefighter jim
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2009
- Messages
- 469
I have heard that Stihl formulates their oil to work with their bars, but I just paid $37.99 for a gallon at the local JD dealer.
I am not sure if this the price everwhere, but they are the most convenient dealer.
That's rediculous..........Tractor Supply 11.00 for Husqvarna and 8.00 for TSC brand per gallon. Zanesville Ohio
bdeboer
Platinum Member
Usually pay alot less than that at a different Stihl dealer in Marion, OH. Zanesville, my wife has family there and in Morgan County to your south.
LD1
Epic Contributor
Not to hijack the thread, but where in central OH you located??
I don't need specifics but was just wondering how close to me you were. I am about 25 Miles east of marion. Near Mt. Gilead.
Carykong
Gold Member
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- Jul 23, 2008
- Messages
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- Location
- near Williamsburg ,Virginia
- Tractor
- TC 35 New Holland and 52 Case VAC,LT25 Woodmizer logmill
I have used motor oil,auto trans oil in my stilh only when I was desperate for bar oil. I can buy a gallon of Stilh bar oil at local John Deere Dealer for $9.95. Really prefer official bar oil. Smokes less,keeps chain cooler, healthy for environment and healthy for me,cause I have to breath that smoke if the wind is coming from the wrong direction.
