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Chain & Bar Oil

Post in 'The Gear' started by kruger, May 17, 2010.

  1. kruger New Member

    joined: Oct 14, 2008
    93 posts
    SE Wyoming
    Does anyone brew their own oil? I'm been using a recipe from my dad for a couple years and wondering if anyone else is doing the same and how theirs differs.

    Mine:

    one part 80-90w gear oil
    one and a half parts 10-30w motor oil
    one and a half parts ATF

    Heavier on the ATF on really cold days and lighter on the 80-90w

    I use really cheap products and it comes out to be an awefully cheap gallon of bar oil.

    Thoughts?
    #1

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  2. smokinj Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 11, 2008
    15,417 posts
    Anderson, Indiana
    I use what I can get cheep and will also filter used oil. Atf by its self work very well but not cheep.
  3. JustWood Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 14, 2007
    3,185 posts
    Arrow Bridge,NY
    Eye dunno how you can buy those products listed cheaper than $6/gal.
  4. kruger New Member

    joined: Oct 14, 2008
    93 posts
    SE Wyoming
    I like to wait for quarts and gallons to go on sale at places like Advanced Auto Parts or O'Reilly's and stock up. Sometimes you can find the house brand motor oils for $0.99 a quart and the house ATF's for $2.99/quart. 80-90 is cheap. Can sometimes make a gallon of bar oil for $5.00
  5. firefighterjake Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 22, 2008
    13,472 posts
    Unity/Bangor, Maine
    Call me crazy, but I just buy the bar and chain oil, open the cap and pour it into the oil reservoir . . . not worth it to me to make my own stuff, filter old oil or experiment with an expensive saw on other replacement fluids.
  6. kruger New Member

    joined: Oct 14, 2008
    93 posts
    SE Wyoming
    You're Crazy!!!

    Just kidding. I was just wondering what others might have done. It seems like I run through a TON of bar oil and was just looking to cut down on the cost. I'm only saving a few dollars a gallon.

    Call me a tightwad!
  7. smokinj Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 11, 2008
    15,417 posts
    Anderson, Indiana
    I would say the mix he is using is very good! Used oil can be much cheepier, and thanks Lee for the tip my 880 and throw a quart very quick!
  8. kruger New Member

    joined: Oct 14, 2008
    93 posts
    SE Wyoming
    What do you strain your used motor oil through? Do you then run is straight or mix with another lubricant. I'd be worried about it making the chain/drive shaft filthy.
  9. smokinj Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 11, 2008
    15,417 posts
    Anderson, Indiana
    through old blue jeans Lee's been doing it for a long time! its 30 weight oil and I run it stright works well and the price is right.
  10. kruger New Member

    joined: Oct 14, 2008
    93 posts
    SE Wyoming
    Interesting. Does "how clean or how dirty" the oil is seem to matter? Do you like the consistancy? If you could change it, would you have it be thicker or thinner? Never thought of used oil...
  11. smokinj Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 11, 2008
    15,417 posts
    Anderson, Indiana
    Its clean after filtering it. No issues that I can see.
  12. ironpony Minister of Fire

    joined: Jan 22, 2010
    1,396 posts
    mid-ohio
    I take the three gallons I drain out of the Cummins and put it in the saw
    its not on the bar or chain long enough to matter
    and its free
    been running it in both saws
    seems fine
  13. kruger New Member

    joined: Oct 14, 2008
    93 posts
    SE Wyoming
    Going to try the jean filter tomorrow and see how it looks. Exciting stuff. Leave it to a sawman to get excited about filtering old engine oil...
  14. smokinj Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 11, 2008
    15,417 posts
    Anderson, Indiana
    hey every dollar counts I made a gallon up last night double the jeans up it took awhile to get it filtered but that's a free gallon.
  15. Highbeam Minister of Fire

    Regular bar oil is 30 weight oil but it has some sort of additive to make it sticky and stringy. 30 weight engine oil isn't stringy like that. I am most worried about the oil pump in the saw somehow not liking the missing additive and the additional dirt that makes used oil black.

    In a pinch, you bet.
  16. smokinj Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 11, 2008
    15,417 posts
    Anderson, Indiana
    when you can shoot a gallon in 4-5 hrs its worth it and its also not black after filtering. Thought it wasnt a good idea when I first heard it but after trying it I cant tell any difference's.
  17. thinkxingu Minister of Fire

    joined: Jun 3, 2007
    1,040 posts
    S.NH
    WYO, you can 'SOMETIMES make a gallon of bar oil for $5.00'? Are you kidding me? To save $1. (max?). Listen, I'm all for saving money, but that's just ridiculous. I'd have to go through 10 gallons a day to make that worth it (at least pay for lunch!!!).

    S
  18. smokinj Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 11, 2008
    15,417 posts
    Anderson, Indiana
    the mix he is talking about isnt to save money sounds like a loggers mix to me but when he finds everything on save it cost him about 5 buck a gallon.
  19. JustWood Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 14, 2007
    3,185 posts
    Arrow Bridge,NY
    Wow!
    This coming from a guy who thinx saving 8 oz. on the weight of a saw is a LOT.
  20. BrotherBart He Who Moderates

    joined: Nov 18, 2005
    21,925 posts
    Northern Virginia
    No crazier than dropping, bucking, hauling and splitting trees to save a few bucks on heat. :lol:
  21. thinkxingu Minister of Fire

    joined: Jun 3, 2007
    1,040 posts
    S.NH
    Lee, how you comparing weight and money?! Besides, car manufacturers, tool companies, sporting gear companies, etc. all spend tons of money trying to save weight. It's the reason carbon fiber, titanium, and other lightweight materials were invented--why wouldn't I take advantage of the technology?!

    S
  22. thinkxingu Minister of Fire

    joined: Jun 3, 2007
    1,040 posts
    S.NH
    Oh, and Bart--I save $300 plus the price of electric heat for each cord I cut, split, and stack--that's a whole lot more than $1!

    S
  23. smokinj Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 11, 2008
    15,417 posts
    Anderson, Indiana
    How in the world can you change a bar oil thread this? WOW sure dont know how I will carry the extra weight.
  24. LLigetfa Minister of Fire

    joined: Nov 9, 2008
    7,310 posts
    NW Ontario
    I can think of better places to save a buck. How much B&C oil does the average wood burner go through anyway just cutting for personal use? I don't use a gallon of oil a year. I ain't cutting up no old jeans for that. Sheesh.

    Donate the jeans to goodwill.

    I pour my used oil onto my brush pile and burn it.
  25. JustWood Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 14, 2007
    3,185 posts
    Arrow Bridge,NY
    Eye bet U dohnt slip $300 into the G when you wisit the gents club though! Dew U?
    Stick wit the buck and dohnt walk past Penny in parking lot!~ ;-)

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