Whatever is cheapest at northern tool or TSC. Usually half the price of the stihl stuff. I don't have to worry about winter weight oil, since it doesn't get that cold down here
I will buy two cases of TSC oil when it goes on sale. I have never had an issue with it. As long as it sticks to the bar and chain and is cheap it is for me. I did buy a case of oil from Menards last year when it was on sale for $5.99 It is a bit thinner than the TSC stuff but it worked as well, it does smell like gear oil. I have about 100 cords on my Stihl ES bar and it has not worn out yet, I did replace the tip at about 75 cord but it was not oil related. Boring with a loose chain will take pieces out (I know better)
I use TSC oil and let the saw warm it up for me. I let my saw sit and idle at least 3-5 minutes when its cold out. I take this time to put on my PPE, finish coffee, ride a giraffe, etc.
Yes it is, the Stihl dealer here told me they were not happy when Stihl told them to raise the price. Menards stuff on sale for me with no problems, they have changed brands lately I believe.
I have been known to use clean motor oil or hydraulic fluid mainly when out of bar oil. Dont feel like making a trip 20+ miles oneway to town to get it. This is usually just one trip though and a few tanks of oil. Never noticed more wear from it or dry chain. Does it work as well probably not, do I care, no not really. Chains are cheap to free for me and bars will wear out anyway and my limited cutting with substitute oil won't make much difference in the long run.
I have heard of people using canola oil before, I wonder if peanut oil would also work? I have a 5 gallon jug of it that is over 15 years old, think I'd be set for a while.
Peanut oil will work ok in the summer. Make sure you have it out of the saw before cold weather sets in. It solidifies at a fairly high temp. 30-40ish I think. Mixing it with petro will lower the temp but I wouldn't chance it. I just don't use it in the winter. Veggie oils will do the same but at a lower temp.
I have veggie oil sitting out from frying in a cooker it solidifies here in SC pretty easy maybe its peanut but I know I had e some veggie that got awfully thick around freezing temp.
All those cooking oils are nasty and sticky when they dry out some they also mildew and mold. I really dont think I would use any if I could avoid it. Now if a landowner made you or cutting meat or cutting over your pond or in some tree hugging nature area, maybe?
At around freezing peanut oil will be like Crisco in a jug. It wont even pour. Canola will still pour down around 15 degrees but it will be like sludge. I make biodiesel in an unheated shop and I have enough made ahead come fall to last me through the winter just for the simple reason its harder to work with in an inconsistently heated shop. At the final filter I mix in hydro or black diesel so the pour ability is consistent with 5W down to 30 below. I don't put peanut into my system just to save a problem at low temps. I'll just use it in the summer.
