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Forum Index : Other Stuff : DIY chainsaw bar oil recipe

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greg199
Newbie

Joined: 03/11/2015
Location: Australia
Posts: 39
Posted: 02:58am 02 Mar 2022
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I just paid more than AU$40 for 4L of bar oil at my local Bunnings store. That is far too much so in the future I'll make my own from used motor oil from my diesel ute. I'll filter it while its warm and then thicken it to be a similar consistency to the bought stuff.
Does anyone have any proven recipes for what to add to motor oil to thicken it for a chainsaw?
(I use corn flour to thicken sauces when I'm cooking but not sure how that will perform in motor oil). Hopefully someone has done some experimenting already.
 
Revlac

Guru

Joined: 31/12/2016
Location: Australia
Posts: 1119
Posted: 03:31am 02 Mar 2022
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Hi, I use clean veg oil and about 15% or 20% clean used diff oil or gear oil, (used this for 6 years) works fantastic used to get STP not sure if that is still available it would help cling to the bare and chain.

Straight veg oil works but would not recommend it, because when cutting wet timber it can thicken the oil up and screw up the gear on the oil pump.....Done that....
There is veg cutter bar oil available but I think it has some additive to help it.

I don't use engine oil because it flings off, is messy and too slippery on the cutters.
Edited 2022-03-02 13:32 by Revlac
Cheers Aaron
Off The Grid
 
phil99

Guru

Joined: 11/02/2018
Location: Australia
Posts: 2417
Posted: 03:36am 02 Mar 2022
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The two main reasons for the high price (other than excessive margin) are:-
a) that it has to be super sticky, not just thick, to stay on the chain as it goes around the bar nose at high speed. Since most of the friction between bar and chain is on the bottom this is where the oil is most needed, but the oil feed has to go to the top.
b) it is required to be bio-degradeable as it is getting sprayed everywhere from the chain.
Edited 2022-03-02 13:38 by phil99
 
Davo99
Guru

Joined: 03/06/2019
Location: Australia
Posts: 1582
Posted: 04:37am 02 Mar 2022
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I use Veg or old engine Oil.
I don't subscribe much to the sticky theroy, I just turned the oilers up a bit and I have never had a dry chain.

Go through chains a lot faster through dulling them than anything to do with lack of Lube and only had one bar Fail after a few months and that was replaced under warranty
And they even commented it was not though lack of oil  as there was plenty in the bearing that gave out.

I have everything from 12" Battery saws up to 92CC 24" petrol model and plenty in between and never had a problem.
 
noneyabussiness
Guru

Joined: 31/07/2017
Location: Australia
Posts: 526
Posted: 05:30am 02 Mar 2022
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lol... i used used diesel engine oil, there was 2 440l drums of it on our property when we bought it. FREE !! same, cut TONS of firewood and never had a drama...
I think it works !!
 
Old Seagull Man
Regular Member

Joined: 21/12/2019
Location: Australia
Posts: 55
Posted: 12:37pm 03 Mar 2022
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Im still using the same 44 of shell Rimula X, the old man got in the 1990s.
For the Harvester.  its outlasted a few Homlite's and a Stihl, so far.
The Husqvarna seams to be holding up.
 
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