How to remove burnt on oil and sawdust?

[Sambo]

On 11/10/2020 at 18:48, spudulike said:

Ha, that's an easy one, the best way to get your saw clean......CLEAN OFF ALL THE FECKING CRAP BEFORE IT GETS BAKED ON.......oh......AND STOP USING CHEAP SHYTE CHAIN OIL!!!!!

BUY A SODDING COMPRESSOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! White Spirit and a paint brush then blast it off REGULARLY...it isn't rocket science!

 

I have never found any solvent or fluid that will shift this sort of thing, a 3.5-4mm drill in a dremmel is about the only thing that shifts it!!! That and a sharp craft knife!

 

Not directed at Ian but at all the guys that send me saws like that calling them "looked after"......REALLY!!!!!!!!

Rant over....not wheres that G&T?

Tell you what spud the best "liquid" solution I've found is Stihl's varioclean. I just pick the big lumps off (normally on the front of the saw just under the muffler) then spray down with Vario. Leave for a bit then thoroughly rinse off with water (I use an air parts washer) and blow dry with compressed air. A short warm-up and a few cuts in some clean wood dries it right off and leaves a little dust under the sprocket cover to soak up any oil. 

[spudulike]

I may test a bottle but prefer customers with a positive attitude toward saw cleaning and maintenance. 

Mr Harrison was a model customer, sent 3 saws in, I complained about their state, he purchased a compressor and got a bit involved - the next 6 saws in you could eat your dinner off - it means I spend my time getting the tricky stuff done and not trying to make the kit look acceptable! He has some well looked after kit now - ones to reflect his business in a positive light!!!

[spudulike]

I tried a bottle of this "Special Cleaner"....OK for a water based splodge and it works well on the lighter ingress of surface resin but that baked on stuff that resembles over cooked flap jack....not a chance!!!!!

Best option for these is to send them back to the owner uncleaned, they caused it, they can lament on their failure!!!!! 

[nepia]

29 minutes ago, spudulike said:

over cooked flap jack

...at Cobham Services;  those were the days eh Steve?!   ?

[spudulike]

Your wifes flapjacks were perfect and there is no innuendo implied....we are talking cakes here, cakes and coffee!!!

[AndrewS]

Bilt Hamber Surfex HD is just one of those labour-saving products everyone needs in their life, it is fantastic stuff. 
Not suggesting it replaces the need for regular cleaning and maintenance but well worth trying if things get away from you.

Regarding bar oil, what are people using? I’ve always used Stihl Synthplus without issue but is there something better out there..?

[spudulike]

I have tried this Stihl "Special Cleaner" a bit more and TBH, it is oven cleaner but just more expensive. It tastes like it, small splashes makes your skin itch and MAN, don't blast it off with a compressor!!!

 

I revert back to my initial outburst - it is the ONLY way. Not cleaning your saw for five years is just sheer stupidity!

...........Oh, and don't send it to me thinking I will do it!!!!!!

[AndrewS]

Any recommendations on bar oil @spudulike?

Couldn’t agree more on the need for regular maintenance ?

[spudulike]

I don't cut enough to recommend a type of oil, others will know much more than me BUT, turpentine, veg, rapeseed oil and ANY oil that has the capacity to dry in to a gloopy syrupy hard residue isn't good.

The early bio oils were terrible for this, in some cases chains welded themselves to bars if left for a month or so.

I stick to Stihl oils but I only cut firewood and cost isn't a big factor for me.

[Paddy1000111]

I've always liked Stihl synthplus. Never had a chain welded to a bar with dried on goop, also never had any blockages or "burn" marks on my bars. If sawdust sets and dries it usually all cleans off with some soapy water. I know a few farmers who run it in their 260's and they often leave their saws dirty for months unused and again, no issues. I heard the Stihl Bioplus oil can become resin or "go off" if left to interact with sap but I haven't seen it myself as I don't use it.