Veg based chain saw oil

Veg oil is fine for chain lubrication - if I can get it cheap enough I buy it and either mix it 50:50 with regular chain oil or run it neat as a lubricant where we are operating on sites with environmental constraints (over watercourses etc).

It can be a bit too runny if used neat when crosscutting big timber constantly with a big bar (20" plus), and shouldn't be used in saws that aren't run regularly as it can clog up in the oil pump if left. It can also apparently go moldy if left, though I have never experienced this.

I wouldn't use old oil personally - I have only ever used it fresh/new. I can't see how the oil itself reduces the amount of cutting a chain will do unless you are being very rough with the saw - the oil is there to lubricate the chain and bar, not aid the cutters through the wood. It won't help the saw cut the timber - if the chain is not cutting that is down to a number of factors (usually bluntness), very rarely lubrication. Badly lubricated chains run hot and stretch (as do well lubricated blunt chains that are being forced to cut by over-exuberant operators!).

Replies

Benjamin O'Neill October 7, 2012 at 9:12pm

cant say ive used veg oil in my chainsaw, has used it in my van plenty work great less money better economy and better emissions but cant claim the tax back on it so not too good for that, tesco is the best for oil in my area its two 5lt containers for £10.00
PRO

Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd October 27, 2012 at 1:01pm

I use Stihl veg oil. No problems thus far (5 years).
Benjamin O'Neill October 27, 2012 at 2:40pm

hi stephen what chainsaw do you have, when your cutting wood does it leave a stain on the wood and how quick does it use the oil, lets say an hours worth of work ?

stephen Huxtable said:

Ive been using regular cheep veg cooking old for the last year with no problems. Just brought 5L from lidl for £7.
David Cox October 27, 2012 at 6:24pm

Be careful with veg oils - I noticed that i normally get about 2 hours use out of a chain when chopping Firewood - but down to barely 30 mins with Used (filtered) veg oil - dealer said this was because it gets flung off the chain quickly due to it being much less tacky and viscous - meaning faster and higher wear on the chain.
dan hinde October 28, 2012 at 12:29pm

Veg oil is fine for chain lubrication - if I can get it cheap enough I buy it and either mix it 50:50 with regular chain oil or run it neat as a lubricant where we are operating on sites with environmental constraints (over watercourses etc).

It can be a bit too runny if used neat when crosscutting big timber constantly with a big bar (20" plus), and shouldn't be used in saws that aren't run regularly as it can clog up in the oil pump if left. It can also apparently go moldy if left, though I have never experienced this.

I wouldn't use old oil personally - I have only ever used it fresh/new. I can't see how the oil itself reduces the amount of cutting a chain will do unless you are being very rough with the saw - the oil is there to lubricate the chain and bar, not aid the cutters through the wood. It won't help the saw cut the timber - if the chain is not cutting that is down to a number of factors (usually bluntness), very rarely lubrication. Badly lubricated chains run hot and stretch (as do well lubricated blunt chains that are being forced to cut by over-exuberant operators!).