escortmagnum999 Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Evening, iv recently bought a chainsaw and was wondering if I have to buy 'proper chain oil' or could I just use engine oil? chain oil seems dear. I don't mind buying decent 2 stroke oil but the chain oil seems to be a bit of a racket! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy bingo Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 go to your nearest car spares shop and ask for their cheapest engine oil that will be ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.philmypower. Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 How much did you pay for the saw, what saw is it and how much will you be using it. Also what size bar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 (edited) It has anti fling additives in to keep it on the chain. Bio chain oil is a veg oil with additives. I only use the proper chain oil as I want my bar and chain to last and not overheat in the cut. Some arborists and lumber people on this forum like phillmypower. Or a quick look on Arbtalk will tell you all you need to know. Edit fingers not fast enough. Figgy Edited December 18, 2013 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zx10mike Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 depends if you want used engine oil everywhere?sound messy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike-b Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 It has anti fling additives in to keep it on the chain. Bio chain oil is a veg oil with additives. I only use the proper chain oil as I want my bar and chain to last and not overheat in the cut. Some arborists and lumber people on this forum like phillmypower. Or a quick look on Arbtalk will tell you all you need to know. Edit fingers not fast enough. Figgy im one of these tree chopper folks bio oil no matter how expensive it is never seems to stick all the way round the bar the lower half seems to wear quicker! proper chain oil would be much better its a bit thicker than engine oil and lubes the bar better but if its a cheap and nasty saw you only use twice a year then it wont matter to much what you use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.philmypower. Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 If you have a cheap saw for doing a few logs once or twice a year then cheap car oil (new) will be a good enough lube, however your bar will wear much faster. If you have a professional saw then chainsaw oil is a must, it has the correct lubricating properties required for the job. With a lot of professional saws if you don't use the manufacturers oils and lubes then your warranty is void. The newer saws are tuned via a computer so they can tell if your running too rich, what your using, what revs, for how long they know everything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlerob Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 im a arborist most of us will use veg oil for quick bio substitute you can get 25l of orgeon super saw oil for £52.20 delivered or or the oregon arborol bio oil you mix it one part oil for barts water so 1L will make 5L when mixed 25L on offer for £40 +vat so that will eqell to 100l of oil proper stuff not dear / expensive as it lasts longer and does a better job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old rooster Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 If you have a cheap saw for doing a few logs once or twice a year then cheap car oil (new) will be a good enough lube, however your bar will wear much faster. If you have a professional saw then chainsaw oil is a must, it has the correct lubricating properties required for the job. With a lot of professional saws if you don't use the manufacturers oils and lubes then your warranty is void. The newer saws are tuned via a computer so they can tell if your running too rich, what your using, what revs, for how long they know everything Got blimey, our chainsaws are watching us as well now!! Personally speaking I only use proper chain oil in my saw, if I was stuck and couldn't lay my hands on any I'd use new engine oil of a fairly high viscosity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teknys Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Car gearbox/axle oil EP80 or EP90 has the "stick" required. Engine oils are to thin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 I only use proper bar oil too, if u don't use saw much then 'expensive' bar oil won't make any difference to ur costs, but even if u do use ur saw lots u are still cheaper using proper anti fling oil as like others have said bar lasts longer amongst other things. In the old days a lot off the 1st thinnings boys used to use used engine oil, but u have to fill it up twice for 1 tank of petrol, same with new engine oil some will not last a fill of petrol so u really are risking the bearing on the bar as well as other things if u don't keep it filled. Not worth the hassle for the little u think u save Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 I have both imported and decent chainsaws, they all get the same, cheap engine oil and cooking oil mix, as for the 2 stroke, dont go buying motorcycle stuff, get some decent oil from e bay, a lot easy to mix, one bottle to 5 ltrs of fuel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 Or don't bother mixing two stroke if you don't use it much and run it on Aspen. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 Glad I always buy new when needed - some of the saws you chaps finish with would be a liability. Seems to me phil has the right of it. I dont use mine often but its a 'professional' and for that price why skimp on lubricants? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 Its an offence to pollute the ground with engine oil and chain oil cost is quite insignificant for the non pro, indeed with the price of a new bar and or chain its false economy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pestcontrol1 Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 I have had mine for about 10 years i am on my second bar use to cut alot afew years back but just logs for myself now and its never had anything but diesel engine oil as chain lube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raphael262 Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 Evening, iv recently bought a chainsaw and was wondering if I have to buy 'proper chain oil' or could I just use engine oil? chain oil seems dear. I don't mind buying decent 2 stroke oil but the chain oil seems to be a bit of a racket!you must use proper chain oil I tried not using it and ****** up my chainsaw bar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sx3 clay breaker Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 I always use proper stuff lasts a while if you not a professional I get it for £8 from a local farmer that's buys in new stuff and sells on as a side buiness it last me about couple of months and I use my saws quite regular Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Car gearbox/axle oil EP80 or EP90 has the "stick" required. Engine oils are to thin. What he said. My old Husqvarna manual used to recommend this if conventional chain oil was unavailable. Trouble is gearbox oil costs more than chain oil. The right stuff isn't a lot of money so just go out and grab a tub. Old engine oil will be too thin and the bar will wear fast. On top of that you'd be surprised how a chainsaw throws oil around even with the right stuff - you'll get everything covered in black crud if you skimp so is it really worth it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 I'm sure I have read somewhere that engine / gear box oil is a carcinogen if inhaled, the speed of a chainsaw can cause it to mist. I'm sure its ok for low use but would not like to use it all the time. You can spend a small fortune on a chainsaw and scrimping on oil makes no sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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