angelo c
Coal Member
- Local time
- 9:50 AM
- User ID
- 362
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2015
- Messages
- 2,919
- Reaction score
- 11,560
- Location
- Peoples Republic of North Jersey

Okay. Forget everything I said about my approach to doing these oil lines. LOL
Was at my favorite Stihl dealer the other day and asked him how he did em. Said if he told me he'd hafta kill me.
He's been doing these lines since day one and claims he has a way that is so fast and simple it's ridiculous..., and that's with the hard tube kit and no heat. Wouldn't give it up no matter how hard I tried and is trying to get Stihl to pay him to obtain the the method first. Says they've been warm to it in the past, but aren't gettin' off any caish for his secret..., evidently in favor of their crazy modified pliers method instead. Says if I guess he'll acknowledge it. Also said it's so simple I'll be ashamed of myself for not thinking of it sooner.
I thought I had it yesterday and called him to see if I was correct. How 'bout a hammer and a nail? (Doesn't get much simpler than that!) No cigar. (But he did like the idea and said I was getting close.)
A small hammer and an 3 or 4 penny nail. Cut nail just shorter than the piece of tube depending on length of the nail. (Much easier than modifying a pair o' pliers!) Slide the nail into the tube to keep it from collapsing. Put the pump in a vise or screw it to a bench like Backtroller's example. Tap the line home on the barb. Done. Could also just push the pump onto the hose up against an object since it's supported by the nail and won't kink or bend. The key to 'being close' according to my buddy was using something inside the tube to make the job easier. I've since also thought about using compressed air like doing handle hose but haven't had a chance to ask him about it again.
I also asked him Angelo's question about why such rigid material for the line. Said they did back pressure tests on softer line until they found a material that wouldn't split at the bend or leak at the barb under high temp conditions if the delivery end got obstructed..., as in wrong bar or plugged oil passages. Just sounds like more German over engineering to me.
So guys..., any other guesses?
Can you ask him WTH the spring is for then ?
P S. Mine took about 20 mins max. Little heat (boiling water) on the tip. Just where it mounted to the barb. Then a heat gun just ahead of the hole/passage and pushed it on through. Easy Peasy. Helped to have the oiler screwed down . Next one I'm gonna try to heat the barb and just push it home. I bent a small section in the first go because...well...because if a small hammer don't do the job ...well then get a frenching bigger hammer....on other words, I pushed too hard and bent it. Pushed less then it went home.
Last edited: