Ok to add motor oil to bar chain oil?

[ammoaddict]

I hate working on saws where people use transmission fluid instead of bar and chain oil, the stuff is a mess and it stinks. I have a coworker who gave me a couple of saws to work on and they used transmission fluid for bar and chain oil. Testing the saw after doing carb work and the transmission fluid was flying everywhere and drooled out the bottom...what a mess.

I bought one of these, since I was selling saws and chains I figured I would give it a try so I could rate it for customers that ask. Basically, I feel it is good for those who don't understand sharpening, don't pay attention to level and angle or those too lazy to learn to hand file (that being said, it may be good for those who have physical limitations that make it difficult to use a round file). I find that practicing with a round file on a junk chain worked best for me to get the hang of it. I use a Husqvarna file handle which is angled on the front, one side for 25 degrees and the other 30 degrees. If you keep the file level and the degree side you choose ends up flat against the bar, you have it nailed.

I agree Trans fluid stinks. I only add very little, maybe 5%, just to use up what I have left from a car I don't own anymore.

 

[stihl livin]

Could be. At this age I'm getting close to forgetting at a faster rate than I'm learning.

This explains a lot.

 

[TheWizard]

Are there any chain sharpeners you prefer that work better than others? Also, have you tried the STIHL 2 in 1 Easy File?...

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/filing-tools/2in1file/

I have two sharpeners, one cheap China copy that is branded by many names, it works and does a job so ok for diy (never use it & only got to see what finish it would give). The other is an older Oregon with forward & reverse switch which does a very good job, but you need to put the right size wheel on for the size of chain and clean the chain first to remove oil & resin. Many will say they dont bother but my way of thinking is if your going to do a job, do a good one. The wheel will stay clean for a very long time if your chain is clean before you grind. But my preferred method is by file which is quick and easy and each cutter is treated as an individual, something you cant do with a machine without a lot of potch.
some files are much better than others and in this case you get what you pay for, nothing lasts forever but you do get a much better edge. I havent tried the stihl 2 in 1 and probably wont but only because I have boxes of files to use and hand filing to me is therapeutic. These days i am not making money from a saw so plenty of time on my hands and cut when I want to, not when I have to. Stay safe, hope that helps

 

[Seachaser]

Never have figured this one out. $1500 saw. Recycled motor oil.

 

[IffykidMn]

Never have figured this one out. $1500 saw. Recycled motor oil.

vs $30 Stihl bar oil a gallon of oil per week is a new saw every year.

 

[Czed]

 

[hacskaroly]

vs $30 Stihl bar oil a gallon of oil per week is a new saw every year.

At a store near me they have Harvest King Bar/Chain oil, 2 Gallons for $17.99, some times it goes on sale for $12.99.

That drops it down to $470/year if you are using a gallon a week.

 

[Czed]

I've used untold gallons of bar oil mixed with strained used motor oil
No downside i have ever found.

 

[huskihl]

There are TSC stores in Michigan that have that county line bar oil on sale for $4.49 per gallon. I believe if you show them that ad, they have to honor it regardless of your location

 

[farminkarman]

There are TSC stores in Michigan that have that county line bar oil on sale for $4.49 per gallon. I believe if you show them that ad, they have to honor it regardless of your location

Might have to stock up a bit at that price

 

[farminkarman]

I've used untold gallons of bar oil mixed with strained used motor oil
No downside i have ever found.

I have done that more than a few times. I have had ok luck with it running shorter bars....longer bars not so much.

 

[Czed]

There are TSC stores in Michigan that have that county line bar oil on sale for $4.49 per gallon. I believe if you show them that ad, they have to honor it regardless of your location

These fukers here don't honor that
I've had words with them before
A TSC 30 miles away will be 4.99 my local one 13.99
And they won't price match

 

[Czed]

There are TSC stores in Michigan that have that county line bar oil on sale for $4.49 per gallon. I believe if you show them that ad, they have to honor it regardless of your location

Can you post the ad?

 

[farminkarman]

Here is one for a local store in WI:

 

[FederalQ]

The last gallon of TSC chain oil I purchased was $19.99 over two years ago. They must have a shell game pricing structure. I watch Menard‘s now for special pricing.

 

[huskihl]

Can you post the ad?

It’s not the ad but here’s a pic I sent to the wife to pick some up for me. It was $4.49 and 4.99 in 2 different stores downstate

 

[ammoaddict]

It’s not the ad but here’s a pic I sent to the wife to pick some up for me. It was $4.49 and 4.99 in 2 different stores downstate

9.99 at my nearest tsc. They show 4 in stock

 

[farminkarman]

Interesting, the price just went up... $5.99 at the closest store now....same as @huskihl posted.

 

[huskihl]

The wife got me 5 gallons of the County Line. Been running the blackberry syrup from Poulan pro for a few years but it’s almost gone

 

[IffykidMn]

The last gallon of TSC chain oil I purchased was $19.99 over two years ago. They must have a shell game pricing structure. I watch Menard‘s now for special pricing.

they still sell the WINTER! blend for around $19.99 a gallon.

The regular SUMMER blend at $4.49-$5.99 per gallon is a much better deal. IMHO