3 ms·
Lubricating a chain is one of the least demanding tasks we have for oil. Unlike in the crankcase of an engine or in the pumps of a hydraulic system, there is ve
by jessaustin 5y ago
Lubricating a chain is one of the least demanding tasks we have for oil. Unlike in the crankcase of an engine or in the pumps of a hydraulic system, there is very little pressure or temperature involved. Unlike e.g. bicycles, chainsaws have oilers that constantly feed additional liquid onto the chain, so the lubricant doesn't even have to adhere that well. (The best "oil" for a bike chain is actually wax since it adheres very well and is less dirty than oil.) In green wood, the main thing that the oil is doing is keeping water out of the chain.
- BenjiWiebe 5y agoChainsaw chains actually do need fairly good lubrication. The chain can run ~60mph, snugly against the bar. Metal-on-metal.
- jessaustin 5y agoFor some definition of "snugly". It's really easy to tighten a chain so much that the saw won't run. Loosen it a bit, and the saw cuts fine yet it's easy to pull a bit of the chain out of the slot (the latter with the saw off). At least, that's the case for the cheap/old saws that I've used... Don't worry I'm not running any saw without bar oil. Or rather, used motor oil, since I have plenty of that.