Chain oil alternatives???

[Boggle4137]

Hi gents

 

I obviously know why you should use proper chain oil, however i was talking to someone that uses pretty much what ever he can get his hands on. so car oil, cooking oil and even 2-stroke. When I questioned about its effectiveness he said as long as it lubricates the chain then it's fine.

 

Me not having a great deal of experience in the industry I think this is probably a cowboy method for using a saw (and damaging to both saw and tree) however is he in some way right or at least in an emergency you could get away with it? I would love to hear your thoughts.

 

I should mention the guy was quite skilled and has been doing tree work for a number of years, however the company he works for is somewhat shocking, I'm not going to name names though.

 

 

Edited November 20, 2018 by Boggle4137

[Stubby]

Any oil is better than no oil and you are " damaging " the tree when you cut it .

[Boggle4137]

By damaging I meant something along the lines of say lasting damage or poisoning of the tree if it isn't being cut down.

[Stubby]

Just now, Boggle4137 said:

By damaging I meant something along the lines of say lasting damage or poisoning of the tree if it isn't being cut down.

I knew that . I was just being a knob ! ? Some sensitive areas , like a SSSI for instance or near a water course might require bio oil only for the environment .

[woody paul]

Working for environment agency got to be bio and some if not all councils. 

[richyrich]

I use bio chain oil from Clark Forest. Mainly rapeseed. If saw is left for weeks/months the chain tends to sieze so takes a bit of loosening. Ethanol is great for getting them unstuck.

[spudulike]

When you use an oil that can dry and go hard, please don't knock on my door and expect me to service and clean it!

[htb]

That's the couriers job to knock on your door and scarper.

[adw]

Bio maybe good for the environment, but is a nightmare to get off the saw, it turns to what i can only describe as chewing gum, leave it in an unused saw and the pump seizes and the pick up and delivery pipes bung up, i hate the stuff. whatever happened to Oregon green leaf, looked like milk!

[nepia]

Bio oil can't be pure rape oil then.  I've been using rape oil for years, including in the 064 which probably only comes out to play once a month or so, and never had any caking, blocking, gumming issues.