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Need to get the chainsaw out and earn its keep. Not used it for ages.
Do I need to use specific chainsaw oil for the chain or can you use engine oil?
Think I've heard that you could use engine oil and alter the flow or something like that....Not sure if I can on my MS 181?
If I should stick to the proper stuff, any makes recommended?
TIA
Any oil will do for the chain, but chainsaw specific oil will stop your house smelling of a ****ed gearbox or engine once you take the wood in the house.
I wouldn't use used engine oil it can be carcinogenic. Oil mists as it is flung off the bar and you will probably inhale some of it. Some bio chain oil is veg oil/ rape seed oil so you could get some from a supermarket if stuck (bio /veg oils can gunk up everything if left in though) Get proper stuff from commercial dealer £12-£16 FOR 5L. Ms181 hasn't an adjustable oiler. Unless it's bio or synthetic (expensive) most oil seems the same in different packaging buying larger quantities gets the per litre price down a lot.
Oil mists as it is flung off the bar and you will probably inhale some of it.
.....is why I use vegetable based stuff.
I get the cheapest they stock in Countrywide Farmers. Still not cheap, comes out at about £3 a litre I think.
my father was a contract tree fella he had 8 gangs of lads felling each man did about 60 trees a week they used sthil and husqvarna saws.. oil and sharpening that was my job during the school holidays.
oil was from 'Macs garage' the guy who owned ran it was actually called Fred. the oil itself was bought by the drum.. it was all the used engine oil.. it was used for the premix and chain.. so i cant imagine that it makes any difference what you use
Ok thanks guys, any links to any good deals for decent chainsaw oil then?
1L bottles would be ok or a 5L max.
Thanks.
it was used for the premix and chain
Really? 😯
Wouldn't fancy putting old engine oil through the cylinder(s) 😯
We used to use old engine oil for the chain - but I wouldn't these days. Too much info around on the carcinogenic properties of PAHs etc in old oil
I used to use any old available oil for the mix and the chain lube but I've started using proper 2stroke these days in the mix.
Apparently rape seed oil is best for the chain although I've never used it.
We have to use bio at work it's a bit dearer than non bio and goes like treacle when cold. But you can get that smell of a local chippy when working the saw hard 🙂
Liking the sound of the Bio oil. I've only ever used Oregon or Stihl chain oil. I buy it in 20 litre containers. By far the cheapest way to go. Quite apart from the health issues, I wouldnt want to be working and living around a waste engine oil slick.
2 stoke oil I get in five litre cntainers from the local motor factors.
Late to this again.
We have used bio-oil at work before, but it clogs the pump, now running regular chain oil, just got a drum and it was £220 +vat and no oil pump failures.
Have also run catering barrels of veg and even olive oil, but these can clog some pumps and all you can think of is chips.
As a stop-gap, have been running some water contaminated unused engine oil.
As for 2 stroke, get something good, Husqvarna here.
Used chip oil works fine. Over the years I haven't seen any problems with chain wear. Bit thick in the winter though.
Filter the bits out first!
