chainsaw chain lube??

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Oct 17, 2005 | 02:56 PM

wlihntr

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From: colorado

chainsaw chain lube??

can i just use engine oil or ATF or do i need to use "chain lube"...thanks

Oct 17, 2005 | 02:58 PM

JD717

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From: Hudson Florida.

you can use pretty much anything in a chainsaw, but DO NOT use used engine oil, that will eat up the oiler pumps fast.

Oct 17, 2005 | 03:34 PM

monsterbaby

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From: iowa

the main problem I have with using engine oil (and yes we used to actually use engine oil from our cars) but anycase engine oil doesn't stick to the chain for very long and can allow the chain to dry out, and get hot as well as wearing the front of hte bar faster dulling the chain faster, not cutting as well put more wear on the drive sprocket etc. Personally I have long since learned to stick with bar, and chain lube.

Oct 17, 2005 | 03:49 PM

Octane

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From: Edgerton, WI

You can use 30 weight motor oil (this is coming from any Stihl owner's manual) in a pinch, but they suggest you use bar and chain oil
Bar and chain oil sticks to the bar and chain better and provides better lubrication.
However, if you run out of B&C oil, you CAN use 30w motor oil.
Octane

Oct 17, 2005 | 03:52 PM

dorkpunch

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why not use bar oil? its cheap. plus its that pretty red color.

Oct 17, 2005 | 03:54 PM

keith w

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Yeah, I picked up a gallon of bar & chain oil for under 3 bucks not long ago. You'd be hard pressed to find motor oil any cheaper.

Oct 17, 2005 | 04:16 PM

wlihntr

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From: colorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorkpunch

why not use bar oil? its cheap. plus its that pretty red color.

i am leaving to go hunting in a few days and i was just trying to save a trip

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Oct 18, 2005 | 12:18 AM

chowitworkz

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you can get by using motor oil for short uses. What you using the saw for? To split your elk I reccomend using vegetable oil.

Oct 18, 2005 | 09:08 AM

#10

wlihntr

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From: colorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by chowitworkz

What you using the saw for? To split your elk I reccomend using vegetable oil.

lol... no, just for cutting fire wood. i have heard of people doing that though

Oct 18, 2005 | 09:59 AM

#11

rebocardo

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Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 13,873

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From: Atlanta GA

Cutting firewood is not going to put that much wear and tear on the saw, so don't waste the extra trip. I have used everything from 5w-30 to 20w-50 in my saws to no ill effect when I ran out of bar oil including milling. Once the saw is running for a few minutes, the oil tank will become very hot and oil weight will matter little unless it is -10 outside.