Bar oil quality

[Texomahog]

I've used Stihl oil with Stihl saws for 40 years. Never any problems.

 

[dodge man]

When people say what they have been using is somewhat useless to be honest. I could say I’ve been using honey in mine with good luck that doesn’t mean you should use it. Me personally a gallon of bar oil last me quite a while.

 

[PILOON]

Generally I always use motor oil unless I make the odd garage sale find for bar oil.
I am convinced that periodic chain 'touch ups' are the key to long chain and bar life, that and periodic dressing the bar with a single cut file.
Also proper chain tension is critical.

 

[AchingBack]

When using motor oil, consider: most cars never run at as high rpm as chain saws. Is bar oil rated for higher rpm?

 

[4570Man]

When using motor oil, consider: most cars never run at as high rpm as chain saws. Is bar oil rated for higher rpm?

It’s only lubricating the chain sliding across the bar. I’m sure it fulfills the job but it’s nasty and definitely not worth the mess to save $6 a gallon IMO. Used hydraulic oil on the other hand I’d have no problem using.

 

[AchingBack]

It’s only lubricating the chain sliding across the bar. I’m sure it fulfills the job but it’s nasty and definitely not worth the mess to save $6 a gallon IMO. Used hydraulic oil on the other hand I’d have no problem using.

I have a lot of used hydraulic oil. Maybe if I mix with bar oil I will get an improved flow.

 

[4570Man]

I have a lot of used hydraulic oil. Maybe if I mix with bar oil I will get an improved flow.

I’ve used hydraulic oil before and it seems to work fine.

 

[coast40]

At Walmart, their gallon of bar oil is $12.73.

 

[mikester]

Some newer saws put out less oil than the old ones did. So they need better bar oil. Dedicated bar oil has tackifiers to make it stick to the bar better.

I've seen arguments that some of the bar oil gets sprayed out in fine droplets by the chain and the operator breathes some. That's one of the reasons for using vegetable oil. And a good reason to not run used motor oil with it's carcinogens. Also dirty used oil makes a mess of the saw.

Another advantage to vegetable oil is that is breaks down in the environment better than mineral based oils. If it wasn't for the problem of vegetable based oil gumming up the chain and oil system if it's left in the saw for too long I'd try it.

I'm using straight canola oil now. If you use your chainsaw a lot no problem. if you let it sit for a long time the chain and end sprocket gets all gummy. A little brake cleaner gets everything freed up.

If it makes you happy put a little food colouring in the oil and give your wife an extra $20 each time she picks up some oil for you at the grocery store.

 

[dodge man]

When using motor oil, consider: most cars never run at as high rpm as chain saws. Is bar oil rated for higher rpm?

The chainsaw engine is turning a lot of rpm’s but I doubt the bar and chain is turning faster than a car engine.

 

[Garson]

That's great, but nothing you have said about your experience gives any indication one way or the other whether the used engine oil you are using is working as well as real bar oil. The fact that your chains always cut straight are an indication that you know a thing or two about sharpening chains.

Hi John. Since using engine oil for hundreds of cords was not causing any bar wear, it seems logical that there is little difference in either oil. If there was a bar lubrication problem with engine oil, wouldn't it cause a bar to wear out prematurely? That has not been my experience.

 

[Oaktree]

At Walmart, their gallon of bar oil is $12.73.

Wow, guess I haven't bought any in a while, ISTR only paying $9 or so last time...still cheaper than motor oil if I'm not mistaken. As mentioned upthread, I learned my lesson on used motor oil, but I don't see why new wouldn't work just fine if that's all you had.

 

[ArlyA]

Used motor oil is a known carcinogen. Why don't I use it?
--------------------------------------------------------------

1USED MINERAL-BASED CRANKCASE OIL
1. PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT
This Statement was prepared to give you information about used mineral-based crankcase oil
and to emphasize the human health effects that may result from exposure to it. The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) identifies the most serious waste sites in the nation. sites
make up the National Priorities List (NPL) and are the sites targeted for long-term federal
cleanup activities. Used mineral-based crankcase oil has been found in at least 85 of
1,430 current or former NPL sites. However, the total number of NPL sites evaluated is not
known. As more sites are evaluated, the number of sites at which used mineral-based
crankcase oil is found may increase. This information is important because exposure to used
mineral-based crankcase oil may cause harmful health effects and because these sites are
potential or actual sources of human exposure to used mineral-based crankcase oil.

 

[4570Man]

My chainsaw looks like this after putting only 2 tanks of used oil through it and that’s not even counting the puddle of it leaked out or the other side of it where I spilled it in the cap. I won’t be using that anymore.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

50 - 60 years ago we used to run ONLY used motor oils through our chainsaws BUT the saws 50 years ago used to use WAY more chain / bar oil oil per hour use. Saws were designed back then to use LOTS of oil because oil quality back then was what it was.

Today the new forestry grade saws have adjustable oil pumps to account for the type / quality oil you want to use. So I would not worry about low quality chain/bar oil as I would simply turn up the oil pump.

However most newer saws especially from the big box type of stores do not have variable oil pumps and are designed for the newer stickier oils. Running used car oil on these low volume pumps may wear out bars and chains much more quickly, leak from cap vents, etc... depending on what saw you have.

cheers.

 

[Bearsixty7]

I have been using Amsoil Semi-Synthetic Bar and Chain Oil for the last several years, (Currently listed at $6 qt or $23 gallon) I don't use my saws a lot so a couple quarts has lasted me a long time so I don't worry about the cost, I just figure it's as good as there is and it works at any temperature that I will be cutting in.

 

[KennyG]

Tractor Supply is still the best deal out there. Up to $10 a gallon now but they sometimes have sales with 2 gallons at a lower price. It seems to work well for me.

 

[bmg88201]

My old small Craftsman saw‘s manual says to use non-detergent 30W. My Husky has had some issues with oiling enough even though I turned the oiler all they way open. I mixed the chain oil with clean 30W to thin it out some. It seemed to work.

 

[marhar]

Good question! I've wondered about that myself. Since chains run us the most cost of operating saws, we just use the Stihl stuff.

I agree. I had a friend who also used old motor oil. The oil made a mess when cutting because it would sling off the blade (it could not have been doing a good job keeping the bar lubricated). My friend was always refilling the oil. Cutting for a long time a chain and bar will get hot which will wear the chain prematurely.

I use the Stihl bar oil and I also use synthetic Stihl 2 cycle mix.

 

[Boss 302]

Ditto on the used motor oil for me.