bar oil test

[xyz123]

I am sure it was 30w. the stuff would turn into crystal sparkley molasses below about 40 degrees, but nobody has winter blend 10w like now. the poulan pro was thinner at 0 than this stuff was at 40.

I mean which brand. They sell like 5 different brands too. Besides the weight differences.

 

[TractorTYMe]

I guess I'll stop buying Husqvarna bar oil?

 

[RandyT]

I mean which brand. They sell like 5 different brands too. Besides the weight differences.

I really don't remember. It has been too many years. But the stuff looked like the Stihl oil in the Project Farm test at the 10:45 mark when cooled to 10 degrees when it was poured from the jug It poured slowly and had a crystallized shimmer to the oil when poured, I probably replaced 50 oil pumps in poulan and Poulan Pro saws because of that stuff.

 

[dodge man]

Something I’ve been doing, not really to improve bar oil, but blending in maybe 20% 30 weight oil. I’m just trying to use up an old quart bottle and didn’t want to throw it out.

 

[ArlyA]

And I've got three or more partial gallons of petro based stihl oil. Ya, I'm going to use it up.

 

[kozal01]

Most the time I like Project Farms tests, this time not so much. For example the scar test. Does that really apply to bar oil? It’s more useful on motor oil. The only test I see that really applies is the chain wear test. I realize he has to do some kind of testing and while interesting I’m not sure how useful other than the chain wear. I have a gallon jug of the Husky oil right now, I will probably switch away from it next time I buy.

Curious to see why you think the lubricity test isn't applicable to bar and chain oil as it is there to provide a barrier of lubrication between the bar and chain just as engine oil does for engine components. As he said multiple times in the video his cutting tests are subjective and the lubricity test (scar test) really was the most telling for me of the ability of each oil to resist wear, exactly what its intended to do.

As to the results, I was surprised to say the least, Ive used Husqvarna and Stihl oils for years. Looks like its time to switch.

 

[dodge man]

I don’t think it’s valid because a synthetic motor oil would probably perform the best in the scar test but would probably be to thin for bar oil.

 

[etpm]

I don’t think it’s valid because a synthetic motor oil would probably perform the best in the scar test but would probably be to thin for bar oil.

Everything this guy tests comes from viewer suggestions. I suggest you that you send him a message suggesting he test synthetic motor oils against bar oils. Did I use the word "suggest" enough? Also, why would the tests not be valid because he didn't test a synthetic motor when you then say the oil would be too thin for bar oil?
You know, I have watched this guy for years, from when he first started posting these videos. His testing methods have gotten more and more scientific. He tries very hard to make the tests as fair as possible. As free from any type of bias as possible. He isn't sponsored, he spends his own money on what he buys. He appears to be truly earnest. If you have some constructive criticism or suggestions that would help him to improve you should contact him. He listens and will respond to you.
Eric

 

[Hay Dude]

I see 2 kinds of Stihl bar oils
Orange
Silver

 

[dodge man]

etpm, I agree, he is trying to find a way to test a bar oil as best as you can. I’m just not buying that all the tests are really telling us which bar oil is best, but I suspect it’s the best you can do in a limited time. I think the actually cutting tells the most, but one tank of fuel is limited. If he ran ten tanks of fuel for each oil that would tell us more but he’d be at it for a month.

How the oil flows? Is that valid? The oil is suppose to be tacky, but it also has to flow out of the tank onto the bar and chain to. Maybe a thicker oil is better? I don’t know any answers it just most of the time I feel his test methods are spot on. This time I’m not sure. I’ve only watched maybe 4 or 5 of his videos total.

For what it’s worth I’m not big into YouTube videos, if I see anything more than a minute or two or just don’t watch them. With Project Farm I watch them all the way.

 

[ArlyA]

At least the Project Farm guy is quantifying test results with actual numbers. Lots better than "I feel".

 

[319Quahog]

I like Project Farm videos, but I don't put that much thought into bar oil as it has a very simple purpose on wear items and is designed to be flung onto the ground. I'm not a professional by any means, but am running my saws several times a week doing landowner stuff.

My criteria is it flows and sticks. If it doesn't I finish using and won't buy it again.

I'll buy whatever is cheap and stock up on it. Right now I'm sitting on about 10 gallons of TSC's Countyline, some Mystik which I wish there was a Runnings near me, and Walmart's Black Max(found in the garden section and cheaper than Supertech in the auto lube section). If I find a deal on the boutique flavors, I'll pick that up as well. There was a sale a few months ago on Husky quarts that brought the price per galling down to cheap oil prices.

It all works fine no matter 70s or below zero. Seat of the pants feel is the Mystik flows better and sticks to the chain better than whatever else I've used, but not enough for the four hour round trip to a store that sells it.

My bar oil bottles also become home to orphan lubricants. My last gallon of Countyline swallows up a half quart of ATF, some 20 weight oil, some drops of gear oil, and a bit of 30weight left over from a snowblower oil change.

I'll keep the oiler turned up in my saws. Flipping the bar over every time I finish up a chain or do a deep cleaning helps even out wear as well.

If I get super bored one of these years, I'll price out gallons of straight 30W and then some sort of tackifier like engine assembly lube or STP Oil Treatment. Maybe like a quarter bottle of STP would be enough? I probably won't get that bored.

*all pre coffee nonsensical ramblings. BL I treat my bar oil supply like ammo. Buy it cheap and stack it deep.

 

[xyz123]

TSC county line new lower price was $7.49 yesterday.

 

[coldsteelva]

I use the TSC stuff with my Stihl due to ease of replacement. The standard blend is like molasses in cold temps - the winter weight continues to flow at least.

 

[xyz123]

I use the TSC stuff with my Stihl due to ease of replacement. The standard blend is like molasses in cold temps - the winter weight continues to flow at least.

Do you know if their winter weight uses 10w or 20w?

 

[5030]

I'm not 'brand loyal' at all when it comes to bar oil.. In fact I buy the cheapest stuff available which is usually Menards on sale.

I use the '2 finger test' on bar oil, that is, I put some between my 2 fingers and pull them apart. If it makes 'stings', it's good. If it don't, I don't use it and so far the Menards passes the test.

Keep in mind that the guy on 'Project Farm derives income from YT every time you view his YT channel. I suspect strongly that he buys all the stuff he uses from his YT income and not directly out of pocket at all. He always says 'I'm not sponsored by anyone and I buy all the stuff used in my testing myself'. What he don't ever allude to is where that income to buy the stuff is coming from. I know, from his YT profit.

Reminds me of Andrew Camarata and his YT income. I don't watch him either and never will.

 

[319Quahog]

Do you know if their winter weight uses 10w or 20w?

This is all I've seen and is obviously not a reliable source.

 

[dodge man]

I can’t say there is a lot of YouTube I watch but Project Farm is one that’s not bad. Tractor Time With Tim isn’t bad either.

 

[RandyT]

I'm not 'brand loyal' at all when it comes to bar oil.. In fact I buy the cheapest stuff available which is usually Menards on sale.

I use the '2 finger test' on bar oil, that is, I put some between my 2 fingers and pull them apart. If it makes 'stings', it's good. If it don't, I don't use it and so far the Menards passes the test.

Keep in mind that the guy on 'Project Farm derives income from YT every time you view his YT channel. I suspect strongly that he buys all the stuff he uses from his YT income and not directly out of pocket at all. He always says 'I'm not sponsored by anyone and I buy all the stuff used in my testing myself'. What he don't ever allude to is where that income to buy the stuff is coming from. I know, from his YT profit.

Reminds me of Andrew Camarata and his YT income. I don't watch him either and never will.

So you are offended because he is using his "Business" account to purchase items for his "Business"

 

[Snobdds]

What he didn't test for is the chain delivering the oil to the length of the bar. Stihl chain has proprietary oil passages that deliver chain oil all the way down to the sprocket. I did not see him test the temp of the sprocket, the most important part of a bar.

Plus you can tell bad bar oil, it allows the bluing of the guide rails due to heat and lack of oil delivery from the chain to the bar. Just go look at your bar, are the guide rails blued from heat? If not your bar oil is fine.