Pre-oiling a chain

[sundance]

Thanks for the info Wilhelm. The Maruyama were one time a cheap saw here, simply
because no one knew of their pedigree, but as soon as they found out prices went way up.
Its a sad day for me, am going to buy a new saw, and I cant buy the brand I like, Makita,
they dumped me, they dumped us all with their decision to get our of gas / petrol saws.

I doubt Makita see it, but ditching the gas / petrol saw market will also make people
question their integrity, and ponder what else they will ditch, no one wants to deal
with people who cant be depended on, I cant see Stihl or Husqvarna ditching gas / petrol engined
products in a hurry, infact they have been introducing new models.
I could see through Makitas decision if they had a revolutionary new replacement for the
gas / petrol saws, but none has appeared that would keep existing saw customers buying the brand.

Not sure why you can't buy your brand of choice (Makita) at this point? Parts should remain available for a good while.
Shame they're leaving the business segment, I've been considering a 4300 to replace a Stihl MS250 I'm really disappointed with. Cuts well, rarely can start. May just jump on the 4300 while I can.

 

[Philbert]

And how do you use lye and what does it do, just clean?

I have used lye (sodium hydroxide): cuts the grease. Rinses clean. I now use a commercial, water-based degreaser that contains sodium hydroxide, such as ‘Super Clean’, or one of the Zep products.

Philbert

 

[Larry B]

You sharpen your chains with a CBN wheel? Hmmm... interesting. How, exactly, do you do that? And how do you use lye and what does it do, just clean?

I just buy powdered lye labeled drain cleaner at the big box store. Mix a couple ounces in about a quart of water and soak chains for about a half hour then rinse them in a bucket of clean water. Strips all the crud and oil off the chain. I use CBN wheels from Diamond Wheel on my chain grinders.

https://www.diamondwheelinc.com/chain-saw-wheels.html

 

[Ford3000]

Not sure why you can't buy your brand of choice (Makita) at this point? Parts should remain available for a good while.
Shame they're leaving the business segment, I've been considering a 4300 to replace a Stihl MS250 I'm really disappointed with. Cuts well, rarely can start. May just jump on the 4300 while I can.

The 4300 is nice, the Stihl 251 my father got as a present from the US is unreal,
I know, its a clam, its not a pro, but that thing can cut for its size.
Echo, they have some nice saws in that size, the 4510 would be my pick
if I were looking, and Echo are usually priced well too.

 

[livemusic]

I have a dozen or so chains that fit both the 361 and 660 clones. I change chains as soon as chain is not sharp. I clean the chains in lye rinse in water touch up with a CBN wheel the store in ziplock bags lubed with light oil. Life's too short to cut with a dull chain.

I like your idea of storing in a ziplock; that way I can write on there what the heck chain it is! How do you lube with light oil, how do you apply it? And what type oil do you use? thanks!

 

[Larry B]

I have a can of fogging oil for spraying in outboard motors for storage. Light oil with rust inhibitor. I put the chain in the bag and give a spray of the fogging oil.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/sta-bil-fogging-oil-engine-protection-12-av-oz-22001/10435910-P