The cost of bar oil!

trafick said:

Hey All,

I went into my local Northern Tool the other day looking for bar/chain oil and they wanted $7.99 for a gallon of this stuff. Now I have been a big believer in using said oil instead of used motor oil but at this price, I may think twice!

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i just paid 10.99 for a gallon but not going to try used motor oil in my saw way to muck invested for that! (heck a gallon good for 15-20 cords)

Does the brand of bar and chain oil matter? Should I stay aware from the cheap stuff? As you say, it does last a long time and for $4 or $5 less is it worth is?

I mix 50/50 used motor oil and new bar oil. Chain hasn't complained yet!

That's just the price of oil. I have a JD mower that sucks down oil and the cheapest walmart oil I could find was right at about 2$ per quart in a 5 quart jug.

I buy poulan bar oil by the gallon at walmart and it works great and is much thicker and of course tackier than engine oil.

Not too expensive given how much I actually go through...no more than 1 gallon per year. Scrounging wood = already cut up - - - usually.

CTwoodburner said:

Not too expensive given how much I actually go through...no more than 1 gallon per year. Scrounging wood = already cut up - - - usually.

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well said most peolpe will never use a gallon in 2 years!

I cant remember hwat I paid for a gallon of Husquvarna oil the last time at my saw shop, dont really care either. I go through 1.5 gallons every two years it seems. This year will be alittle more but thats because I ahve more trees on the ground.

Thats why they can get so much money for it. People don't percieve it as a significant cost. Why is it 5 times more than home heating oil?

BrotherBart said:

After I run out of bar oil this time I am going back to crankcase oil. I haven't noticed one bit of difference in bar and chain life since I switched to the high priced stuff a few years ago.

Well, I did notice one difference. The oiler on one of my little Huskys clogged up last year with bar oil in it. Never had that happen with sump oil.

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Been using sump oil for 20 years and haven't looked back. Dress my bars every 40 hours of use or as needed.

I bought a bunch of bar oil recently, figured it wasn't going to get any cheaper... IIRC, WallyWorld was cheapest at 6.99 / gallon for Pull-on oil, TSC was $1.00 more for their house brand, and HD and Lowes were $1.00 more than that, again for house brand. (all but Walmart price came from the respective websites)

Note that Walmart doesn't show the Bar Oil on their website, it's an in-store only item, and apparently not all the stores carry it.

Gooserider

I go through a gallon and a half for 10 cords a year. at least thats what i used last year and this year. I have 2 brand new saws so i wont even consider used oil. I buy the poulin brand from wal mart. my wife works there so i get 10% off. This year i broke down and bought a gallon of husqvarna from the dealer... 14.99 a gallon but I was in a pinch and needed it asap so i had to do it. didnt want to drive 30 min to wal mart.

Yeah I hear you it is expensive if you look back at ponder it. I buy all my oil and all my equipment from my local saw shop. gotta keep those guys in business. screw WalMart!

WANDERING NAMELESSLEE said:

BrotherBart said:

After I run out of bar oil this time I am going back to crankcase oil. I haven't noticed one bit of difference in bar and chain life since I switched to the high priced stuff a few years ago.

Well, I did notice one difference. The oiler on one of my little Huskys clogged up last year with bar oil in it. Never had that happen with sump oil.

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Been using sump oil for 20 years and haven't looked back. Dress my bars every 40 hours of use or as needed.

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lee whats sump oil?

hmm, my guess is that it is when someone sumps (removes impurities) within a big oil tank

The engine crankcase is called a sump. Your oil pan is a sump. When you drain your oil pan you end up with sump oil. When I drain my truck's sump I end with 15 quarts of sump oil that needs to be disposed of and the last 30 quarts have been diluted with 20% off-road dyed diesel and put into my garden sprayer for "fence stain". Some folks use linseed oil, I use oil.

My saw's owner's manual specifically prohibits used sump oil as bar oil. Something about the metals and grit.

Good thing you dont live in NY. The DEC would love to see someone using that as fence stain

CowboyAndy said:

I go through a gallon and a half for 10 cords a year..

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I use about a half gallon for 12 cord. Don't recall the price but the last gallon I bought was Stihl brand from the dealer and the gallon before that I got at Walmart.

LLigetfa said:

CowboyAndy said:

I go through a gallon and a half for 10 cords a year..

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I use about a half gallon for 12 cord. Don't recall the price but the last gallon I bought was Stihl brand from the dealer and the gallon before that I got at Walmart.

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Iam in your range gallon would do 15+ cords and oilers are set on high

BrotherBart said:

Heaven forbid I get grit on my saw bar. :lol:

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I'm more worried about grit and junk in the oil pump. Would hate to reduce even further the amount of bar oil getting pumped. Even maxed out, it's not enough IMO.

I can tell you from experience that I have pumped literally thousands of gallons of sump oil through chainsaws over a 20 + year period and NEVER had pump problems.If your worried about "grit and junk" filter your oil through some denim blue jean material. Just as good as filtering if not better and free.

WANDERING NAMELESSLEE said:

I can tell you from experience that I have pumped literally thousands of gallons of sump oil through chainsaws over a 20 + year period and NEVER had pump problems.If your worried about "grit and junk" filter your oil through some denim blue jean material. Just as good as filtering if not better and free.

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now that makes more since to me wasnt sure about what you where doing

smokinj said:

WANDERING NAMELESSLEE said:

I can tell you from experience that I have pumped literally thousands of gallons of sump oil through chainsaws over a 20 + year period and NEVER had pump problems.If your worried about "grit and junk" filter your oil through some denim blue jean material. Just as good as filtering if not better and free.

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now that makes more since to me wasnt sure about what you where doing

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I actually settle out (for a month) and trippple filter my used oil down to 5 microns before I use it.