Chainsaw Pete
ArboristSite Lurker
I recently read here that a number of guys advocated using the cheapest bar and chain oil they can find. To date, I've only used Stihl oil (orange container, not that super dooper organic synthetic slimy Platinum Chain Lubricant (they don't even call it oil)). After reading what others said, I figured that too cheap means it's probably recycled bear saliva so I amended their suggestion to 'look for the cheapest name brand B&C oil you can find'.
Stihl oil from my local dealer sells for around $25/gallon - I've not priced it recently but I remember feeling I paid too much last time. I've seen it online for as little as $12/gallon+ 12.50 shipping. I checked my usual big box stores and Menards was selling Poulon Pro (Professional Grade) B&C Oil for $10/gallon, or under 10 with the rebate + sales tax. Poulon is a recognizable name so I bought it.
The Stihl at room temp (today it was 77ºF) is thick and sticky. The Poulon was quite thin, flowed much better, and did not seem anywhere near as sticky. It was also purple.
Am I over thinking this? Should I just use the Poulon and not look back? I can live with the purple color.
BTW, today I took an empty gear oil container - 1 quart round bottle w/ a pointy top (like a tube of construction adhesive) and a cap. I filled it with the Poulon oil. Voila, easy peasy to fill the chainsaw w/ oil now, (after over filling it twice w/ the Stihl oil left in the gallon container).
Stihl oil from my local dealer sells for around $25/gallon - I've not priced it recently but I remember feeling I paid too much last time. I've seen it online for as little as $12/gallon+ 12.50 shipping. I checked my usual big box stores and Menards was selling Poulon Pro (Professional Grade) B&C Oil for $10/gallon, or under 10 with the rebate + sales tax. Poulon is a recognizable name so I bought it.
The Stihl at room temp (today it was 77ºF) is thick and sticky. The Poulon was quite thin, flowed much better, and did not seem anywhere near as sticky. It was also purple.
Am I over thinking this? Should I just use the Poulon and not look back? I can live with the purple color.
BTW, today I took an empty gear oil container - 1 quart round bottle w/ a pointy top (like a tube of construction adhesive) and a cap. I filled it with the Poulon oil. Voila, easy peasy to fill the chainsaw w/ oil now, (after over filling it twice w/ the Stihl oil left in the gallon container).
