Bar Oil Vs. Motor Oil?

[daveferner]

Is it a bad idea to use regular motor oil as a substitute for bar oil? 

[jjw]

Short answer is, yup.

[Ianab]

Regular motor oil isn't as good as it doesn't have the "tackifier" added that makes it stick to the bar and chain better.

But in a pinch you can use it, and actually all sorts of other weird things like cooking oil. Main thing is that you have something oily of about the right consistency being pumped on to the bar.

Best to use regular bar oil of course, but if you are caught short, pouring some clean 30-40 into your saw wont damage anything.

Ian

[Philbert]

Bar oil is slippery and sticky. Dip a finger into the bottle and try to shake it off! Then try it with motor oil.

If you have to use 30 weight motor oil, use CLEAN oil, not used (full of junk), and watch your output levels, as you may use more.

Philbert

[beenthere]

Not "bad", but as Ian said "not as good".  If in a pinch, better than nothing.  ;)

[thecfarm]

I've always used bar and chain oil. I guess some use used motor oil and think it's great. I have never heard of using used oil until I saw it here.

[sharkey]

Ive used fresh 10-30 more than once without issue.  It does fling off the tip somewhat but I think it keeps the chain cleaner.  Listed in the manual for substitute use oftentimes is 20wt motor oil. 

[MidWestTree]

Get some Canola oil and try it. It works well, and everything left alive where your cutting will thank you.

[martyinmi]

I've been mixing Stihl summer bar oil with 15W40 Shell Rotella 50:50 in the winter for at least a dozen years now. I get the Rotella free at work, so even mixing it with the high dollar Stihl oil (or sometimes TSC or Husky) still yields an inexpensive oil.

I guess I can't see where the diesel oil with all of it's EP additives mixed with the tacky bar oil could possibly do any harm in the winter months.

Did I mention that I'm cheap? Probably ought to throw that out there! :D

[SPIKER]

this week just starting Menards has Bar Oil on sale 4.99 I think it was so pretty reasonable.  I have 2 new ones...  8)

[trapper]

Spiker have you opened one of the bottles and checked quality?  I don't like the cheaper of the bar oil fleet farm sells.  Menards has it here at that price also.

[7sleeper]

I've been mixing Stihl summer bar oil with 15W40 Shell Rotella 50:50 in the winter for at least a dozen years now. I get the Rotella free at work, so even mixing it with the high dollar Stihl oil (or sometimes TSC or Husky) still yields an inexpensive oil.

I guess I can't see where the diesel oil with all of it's EP additives mixed with the tacky bar oil could possibly do any harm in the winter months.

Did I mention that I'm cheap? Probably ought to throw that out there! :D

Did you notice the mix losing it's tackifier? I have tried it too at a 1:5 (1=oil and 5=bar oil). The bar oil completly looses it's tackeyness. I noticed a kind of cloudy mist on the bottom of the bottle consisting of engine oil detergents binding the rubber/latex component.

7

[luvmexfood]

Was doing some cutting this morning and just opened a new jug of Poulan Bar Oil that I got at Wally World. It was down somewhere around 15 deg. last night and the oil was in the truck. Put it up front for the 10 minute ride out to where I was cutting.

When refilling I noticed after I got the tank full I must have started moving the jug before it fully stopped pouring. Must have had a 14 inch stretch of oil before it broke. Never seen a horizontal string of oil that long. Guess you could call it tacky.

[cutter88]

im going to give my opinion some will disagree... we log full time 5 days a week with three saws running everyday and for 3 straight years ive used nothing but used motor oil for bar oil and on three saws I normal go through about 9 tips a year that's 3 per saw at 11 bucks each that totals 99 bucks a year and im gonna saw most often we change them because theve been pinched so I would say that's a heck of a saving when bar oil is 10 bucks a gallon and I got more used oil then I no what to do with

[AdkStihl]

 

[thecfarm]

luvmexfood,I have some of that Poulin oil too. I brought some years ago and found some in the back of the tractor shed. That stuff is some stringy. I only use the grade that I have in the summer time. It's thick too.

[sawguy21]

im going to give my opinion some will disagree... we log full time 5 days a week with three saws running everyday and for 3 straight years ive used nothing but used motor oil for bar oil and on three saws I normal go through about 9 tips a year that's 3 per saw at 11 bucks each that totals 99 bucks a year and im gonna saw most often we change them because theve been pinched so I would say that's a heck of a saving when bar oil is 10 bucks a gallon and I got more used oil then I no what to do with

That used oil better be DanG clean before I use it. As far as I am concerned, oil is a lot cheaper than bars, chains and oil pumps.

[Yatt]

luvmexfood,I have some of that Poulin oil too. I brought some years ago and found some in the back of the tractor shed. That stuff is some stringy. I only use the grade that I have in the summer time. It's thick too.

I like the Poulon oil a lot and is the tackiest I have seen .  But it's way to thick for winter use.

[bandmiller2]

Anyone here really know what the tackifier chemical is they add, it must be common in the oil industry. I have used STP and Motor Honey to do the deed but their expensive. If anyone knows someone in the industry, please ask them. Myself I shy away from drain oil due to carcinogens from combustion and possible abrasive content, but I would freely use drained hydraulic oil or ATF if filtered well with a little STP. Frank C.

[Rob5073]

Has anyone used the Super Tech brand bar and chain oil at Wally World?  It's $6.99 a gallon. I have not but that's a pretty good price. 

[thecfarm]

If it was $7 in my area I would try it. I think its $2 more here. I remember a past thread that someone posted Tractor Supply bar oil was cheaper there too. I use TSC bar oil when it's on sale for $7

[Rob5073]

Actually it is $7.97. I checked on it.  SAE 30 with tackifiers.  I'll try it next time I run out. 

[John R]

If it was $7 in my area I would try it. I think its $2 more here. I remember a past thread that someone posted Tractor Supply bar oil was cheaper there too. I use TSC bar oil when it's on sale for $7

The TSC bar oil is all I've been using for the last few years.
Used to use the Stihl bar oil until it got up to $14.00 for a gallon.
Was at the dealer yesterday and see that Stihl now has a new ultra bar oil at even a higher cost.

[Lanternguy]

my brother and i used a mixture of bacon grease and warm olive oil once camping on an island, we had no choice either no fire for two days or clean out a saw when we got home, we decided the fire was more important and it worked like a charm, was even getting a nice spray off the tip.   :D

[cheeves]

Use Tractor Supply, but in winter sometimes just use 10-30! In the past used 90 weight from the mine, when I lived out in Ohio, mixed with Kerosene, but it's tough to get the smell out of the pants. Also used Veggie oil! All works!!!

[beenthere]

I get the Stihl bar oil and it is just under $10 a gallon. Don't shop for a cheaper oil as it really isn't a great expense item...  IMO  ;)

[AdkStihl]

I get the Stihl bar oil and it is just under $10 a gallon. Don't shop for a cheaper oil as it really isn't a great expense item...  IMO  ;)

When was the last time you bought STIHL bar oil?
Its $19.99/gal here @ both dealerships.

[beenthere]

Bought my last gallon this past mid September, but was at the dealer two weeks ago and it is still the same price.
Runs in my head that it is $9.75.

[Rob5073]

my brother and i used a mixture of bacon grease and warm olive oil once camping on an island, we had no choice either no fire for two days or clean out a saw when we got home, we decided the fire was more important and it worked like a charm, was even getting a nice spray off the tip.   :D

That must have smelled amazing! 

[CX3]

I use around 3 gallon a week. Ive been paying 8.99. There's no say I'd pay for stihl oil just to sling it on the ground. Thats nuts

[Philbert]

Generic brand bar and chain oil periodically goes on sale around here for $5 - $6 per gallon. Sometimes smells funny (sulfur?). I assume that it is reclaimed oil that has been filtered (?), treated (?), and had tackifiers added (?).

Philbert

[cutter88]

im going to give my opinion some will disagree... we log full time 5 days a week with three saws running everyday and for 3 straight years ive used nothing but used motor oil for bar oil and on three saws I normal go through about 9 tips a year that's 3 per saw at 11 bucks each that totals 99 bucks a year and im gonna saw most often we change them because theve been pinched so I would say that's a heck of a saving when bar oil is 10 bucks a gallon and I got more used oil then I no what to do with

That used oil better be DanG clean before I use it. As far as I am concerned, oil is a lot cheaper than bars, chains and oil pumps.

dumper right outa the used oil drum into jugs don't strain it or nothing and I have wore many saws out and never one replaced an oil pump....

[thecfarm]

May not be an issue for some that don't saw much,but I can and have run through 2 gallons in a week. It does add up.

[Paul_H]

I get the Stihl bar oil and it is just under $10 a gallon. Don't shop for a cheaper oil as it really isn't a great expense item...  IMO  ;)

When was the last time you bought STIHL bar oil?
Its $19.99/gal here @ both dealerships.

It's $11.95 Cnd a gal here.

[Corley5]

The TSC in Gaylord runs a special on bar oil every couple months for a month it's 6 bux a gallon.  At the same time the TSC in Petoskey has it at seven.  It's off sale now and it's seven a gallon in Gaylord  and 10 in Petoskey.  I stocked up last time and should have some left over when it goes on special again.

[cutter88]

May not be an issue for some that don't saw much,but I can and have run through 2 gallons in a week. It does add up.

I agree if I just diddled around cutting a bit of wood ide buy chain oil but with the three saws going all week we go threw about 4 gallons a week that's why we just run used oil... and it helps with our abundance of used oil

[1270d]

We use a blend that Servco brews up on their own.  It works fine and should be available if you have a  coop near you.   Going through four or five gallons a day and don't notice any difference in bar, chain or tip life over husky oil.

[SPIKER]

Spiker have you opened one of the bottles and checked quality?  I don't like the cheaper of the bar oil fleet farm sells.  Menards has it here at that price also.

Trapper  No not yet, I still have a bit of Poulan Oil left it is very tacky vs the most cheaper 30 weight type oil.   In winter I have a bit of the 30 weight type stuff which makes good winter use, but maybe enough for a couple fills is all.   I'll pop open the Menards 4.99 oil and take a look next time Im in the barn..

Mark

[bandmiller2]

Googled tackifiers seems their very common in the oil industry some sort of polymer couldn't find price or quantity you must order,yet. Frank C.

[5quarter]

I use only used motor oil and have not noticed any trouble with the chain, bar or sprocket. I change my oil frequently and strain it before it goes into the saws. I can't imagine the savings over the last 10 years or so.

[martyinmi]

Did you notice the mix losing it's tackifier? 

7

Sorry I didn't reply sooner.
If you are referring how long the oil strings are, they are definitely shorter, but still present.
The mixture pours much, much better when it's 20*F or colder.

I'd wager nearly everyone reading this thread runs a saw more than I do in a years time. I cut at most 25 full cords each year. Probably closer to 20. We give the majority of it away. The boy and I are going out after I finish typing to finish splitting and stacking a load for delivery on Thursday. Another load goes out on Sunday afternoon.

And NO uncle Al, you are not on my "people in need of firewood" list! :D

[john_bud]

im going to give my opinion some will disagree... we log full time 5 days a week with three saws running everyday and for 3 straight years ive used nothing but used motor oil for bar oil and on three saws I normal go through about 9 tips a year that's 3 per saw at 11 bucks each that totals 99 bucks a year and im gonna saw most often we change them because theve been pinched so I would say that's a heck of a saving when bar oil is 10 bucks a gallon and I got more used oil then I no what to do with

That used oil better be DanG clean before I use it. As far as I am concerned, oil is a lot cheaper than bars, chains and oil pumps.

Maybe you didn't figure the math he used?   Assuming the 3 saws running 5 days a week.  I'd conservatively guess he goes through 3 gal of bar oil a day.  Based on a 70cc saw having a 12 oz oil tank and getting filled up 5 times before lunch and 5 times after lunch.  that's 120 oz or a full gallon -- per saw.   That's 25 bucks a day he is saving by using old motor oil vs bar oil.  Or 125 bucks a week.  or $6000 per year -- savings. 

I'm not saying anyone should go one way or the other, but for a full time operator, the savings using old motor oil is greater than the cost of buying a new saw  every year.   

[JohnG28]

I understand the math where someone can save  some money going that route, but I put too much money in my saws to run any crap like that through them, especially for my use.

[bandmiller2]

Anyone honest with themselves will realize bar and chain oil does not hang around long at speed its slung out and really anything slippery will do the deed.I would not use drain oil myself due to health reasons and the black mess but I have no problems with thems that likes it.A much better alternative is used hydraulic or ATF strained to remove lumps. Frank C.