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Veg oil


John Mac
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Hi All, I live on the island of Fuerteventura and after 'retiring' in the UK, I'm back on the tools doing a bit of domestic tree surgery here on the island. One of the big problems here is getting anything, particularly bar oil. I've never used veg oil before and I wondered if anyone has used pure veg oil in place of regular bar oil. Previously when I worked in the UK I just ordered gallons of the regular Stihl stuff and never gave it a second thought, but now I need an alternative, at least for the short term whilst I can find a stockist. I'm only running a ms 171 and a 200t for up the tree and a ms291 for ground work. Thanks in advance.

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Hi Mac, I've been using veg oil for the last few years, its half the price of standard chain oil. Rapeseed oil in particular is what I use, just check the ingredients on the bottle, look for 100% rapeseed, often labeled on the front 'veg oil'. I sell firewood and it seems to work fine for all the wood I'm cutting. Maybe a little more chain/bar wear but nothing severe. I've got a 550xpg which has and adjustable oil pump which i've turned up to max. Added bonus is its bio oil. Cost £1-1.20 per litre usually in Asda.

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I use rapeseed, and have been for about 6 years now. Noticed no real difference from the change from mineral. Store it in the saw with no problems, but I have heard some folks have issues.

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Some saws will crystalize up in the oil pump or line using veg oul. It also bakes itself onto the cylinder and is a pig to remove. Never used it myself but can say the above due to the veg oil saws I've worked on that's used it.

 

 

Yes I've seen it bake on the fins and it does gum up so I would always store a saw after some mineral oil has run through, on a similar note the big problem I have come across this week is mice having eaten throuh a starter case, ignition lead and oil filler cap on a spare old 266xp!

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Thanks for the replies folks, it's something I've never had to worry about before, but I've always thought that veg oil would do something nasty to the insides of my saw! I guess car engine oil might be a better short term alternative. Last thing I want to do is try to buy a saw out here......

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I've been using rapeseed oil for a couple of years and had no problems at all. I believe that rapeseed oil is specified to avoid the caking issue; it doesn't.

I've used the stuff on bars up to 25" - no problem. I haven't run it for any length of time on the 30" though.

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