Mr_Super-hunky
ArboristSite Member
Hear me out on this one.
I had just finished cutting approx 10 cords of wood. For simplicity's sake, I have my bar oiler set to exactly equal a full tank of gas...(i.e. I consume exactly the same amount of bar oil as fuel per tank).
At nearly $8.00 a gall for "Stihl" bar oil, I can't help but think that I/we are just getting ripped off. Here's why:
I fully understand and agree that the bar must be properly lubed at all times of operation to reduce heat, friction and wear....Kind of a no brainer.
If you think about it however, by going through a full tank of bar oil in approx 20 minutes of actual use, the amount of oil at any given time that actually remains on the bar is very very little.
What good does "premium" bar oil do when it is only in contact with the bar for a few seconds before getting spun off??
If the idea is to simply keep the bar properly lubricated to prevent heat, friction, wear, why can't any type of lubricating liquid/oil be used??.
It's just going to get spun off within a few seconds anyway!
Why not use a much more effective and much smaller quantity of a liquid teflon solution like gas powered hedge clippers or even livestock shears use?.
I realize that you just can't spray the bar with WD-40 before every use (although it would work for a minute or so), but I don't see why a more efficient type of lubricant cannot be used in a much smaller quantity thereby being more cost effective as well.
I mean $8.00 a gall for bar oil!!!. Why not even a similar weight Wal-Mart brand motor oil at around 1/2 to 1/3 the cost?.
When I am paying almost 3 times the price for my bar oil than premium unleaded fuel, I've got to wonder why!.
Any suggestions on alternate bar lubrication products?.
.Motor oil?
.Teflon?
.Glycerin?
.Baby oil?
.Melted Butter!!?
.Liquid wrench?
I had just finished cutting approx 10 cords of wood. For simplicity's sake, I have my bar oiler set to exactly equal a full tank of gas...(i.e. I consume exactly the same amount of bar oil as fuel per tank).
At nearly $8.00 a gall for "Stihl" bar oil, I can't help but think that I/we are just getting ripped off. Here's why:
I fully understand and agree that the bar must be properly lubed at all times of operation to reduce heat, friction and wear....Kind of a no brainer.
If you think about it however, by going through a full tank of bar oil in approx 20 minutes of actual use, the amount of oil at any given time that actually remains on the bar is very very little.
What good does "premium" bar oil do when it is only in contact with the bar for a few seconds before getting spun off??
If the idea is to simply keep the bar properly lubricated to prevent heat, friction, wear, why can't any type of lubricating liquid/oil be used??.
It's just going to get spun off within a few seconds anyway!
Why not use a much more effective and much smaller quantity of a liquid teflon solution like gas powered hedge clippers or even livestock shears use?.
I realize that you just can't spray the bar with WD-40 before every use (although it would work for a minute or so), but I don't see why a more efficient type of lubricant cannot be used in a much smaller quantity thereby being more cost effective as well.
I mean $8.00 a gall for bar oil!!!. Why not even a similar weight Wal-Mart brand motor oil at around 1/2 to 1/3 the cost?.
When I am paying almost 3 times the price for my bar oil than premium unleaded fuel, I've got to wonder why!.
Any suggestions on alternate bar lubrication products?.
.Motor oil?
.Teflon?
.Glycerin?
.Baby oil?
.Melted Butter!!?
.Liquid wrench?