best homemade potion for freeing seized up chain

[dieseldod]

just dunked a seized chain in diesel atf mixed. hoping it will have worked wonders when i look at it in 6 months . wondered if any you guys had a recipe you use for that , and perhaps a shot down the plughole to free rings of a saw thats been on the shelf years, thanks in advance

 

[H-Ranch]

just dunked a seized chain in diesel atf mixed. hoping it will have worked wonders when i look at it in 6 months . wondered if any you guys had a recipe you use for that , and perhaps a shot down the plughole to free rings of a saw thats been on the shelf years, thanks in advance

Paging @Philbert ... Dr. Philbert to the emergency room stat!

Here's a thread with some reading you may find useful. https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/philberts-chain-salvage-challenge.245369/
Philbert may also weigh in with any further comments on chains.

 

[Philbert]

Three things can commonly ‘seize’ a chain:

- Mechanical deformation (burrs, dings, bent links, etc.): requires mechanical intervention.

- Dried up, hardened, grease: usually loosens up with a thin lubricant (3-In-1 Oil, WD-40, etc.), and some manual manipulation.

- Rust.

In the early part of the thread that @H-Ranch mentions, above, I received a lot of rusted chains.

Some, had only light surface rust, which I found reasonably easy ways to clean (citric acid, vinegar, EvapoRust, etc.).

Some, had deeper rust, between the links, and around the rivets.

RUST EATS METAL!
REMOVING RUST DOES NOT REPLACE LOST METAL!

(did I just say that out loud?).

So, while I could clean up some badly rusted chains for display use only, I would not encourage people to run those chains on working saws.

One of the solutions I tried was the ATF/diesel fuel, ‘magic mixture’, which was reported with rave reviews. Aside from the stink of diesel fuel, it did not work on the chain that I tried, even after many months.

I think that it may work as a penetrating lubricant on some mildly rusted items.

But I have had more success with citric acid and Evaporust. I would try electrolysis again, although, it blew some chrome off one chain (might have been loose?). Others have reported good results.

Philbert

 

[pioneerguy600]

Not ATF and diesel, its ATF and acetone 50-50 mix at least for penetrating fluid, may not work for rust removal but works great on rusted on threaded fasteners , there is an exception though. Welded together from oxidization or galvanic corrosion, nothing will part those. Steel bolts corroded into aluminum not even heat from a torch will release those, see them most often in the saltwater environment here.

 

[Bill G]

As @pioneerguy600 said ATF + Acetone + time = Success

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

Three things can commonly ‘seize’ a chain:

- Mechanical deformation (burrs, dings, bent links, etc.): requires mechanical intervention.

- Dried up, hardened, grease: usually loosens up with a thin lubricant (3-In-1 Oil, WD-40, etc.), and some manual manipulation.

- Rust.

In the early part of the thread that @H-Ranch mentions, above, I received a lot of rusted chains.

Some, had only light surface rust, which I found reasonably easy ways to clean (citric acid, vinegar, EvapoRust, etc.).

Some, had deeper rust, between the links, and around the rivets.

RUST EATS METAL!
REMOVING RUST DOES NOT REPLACE LOST METAL!

(did I just say that out loud?).

So, while I could clean up some badly rusted chains for display use only, I would not encourage people to run those chains on working saws.

One of the solutions I tried was the ATF/diesel fuel, ‘magic mixture’, which was reported with rave reviews. Aside from the stink of diesel fuel, it did not work on the chain that I tried, even after many months.

I think that it may work as a penetrating lubricant on some mildly rusted items.

But I have had more success with citric acid and Evaporust. I would try electrolysis again, although, it blew some chrome off one chain (might have been loose?). Others have reported good results.

Philbert

Theres a fourth- dried up caked on pitch or sap from certain species of tree.
First thing OP needs to ascertain is exactly WHAT is seizing the chains in question and then come up with the concoction to treat that affliction.

 

[Mad Professor]

Almost nothing works on polymerized bio-bar oil.

I have not tried the boiling lye solution yet.........

Rusted stuff, +1 on the acetone ATF mix.

 

[Philbert]

Not ATF and diesel, its ATF and acetone 50-50 mix at least for penetrating fluid,

As @pioneerguy600 said ATF + Acetone + time = Success

I stand corrected, and apologize. I did use the 50/50 mix of Acetone and ATF. Not diesel.

But my results were as stated. 5 months. No change. Details in that referenced thread (first 3-4 pages).



Philbert

 

[Marley5]

A suggestion for a preventative.
I buy chains in bulk so they may sit for years before use and unless stored in a controlled environment, can rust and rust badly..... I've found.
Once I wised up, started spraying all chains with Kroil and returning them back in the boxes.
Why Kroil ? Because I buy that in bulk as well.