An electric saw has a number of advantages over a gasoline saw. This means less noise, lighter weight, and ease of use. But the owner of such a unit must remember that the cutting chain requires special care. During operation, it is subjected to constant friction, resulting in heating. To protect and extend the service life, the use of lubricants is required. In this case, the oil for the electric saw should be of the proper quality.
Why do you need to lubricate the chain of an electric saw?
Lubricating your chain saw helps reduce friction. When parts of the tool come into contact with each other, they do not experience unnecessary heating. The friction force is equalized. A means for lubricating the chain of an electric saw prevents failure of both the chain itself and the bar.
Sometimes when working with an electric saw, there is a need for extra effort during cutting. This indicates that low-quality lubricant was used, or the quantity was not enough. Then you need to immediately check the oil level in the tank. You can also lubricate the saw chain itself to complete the job.
If you use the proper quality chain saw oil and apply it on time, it will be easier to work with the electric saw. This also contributes to the safety of the instrument. Lubrication of the unit prevents breakdowns and failure.
Electric saw chain lubrication system: operating principle
Modern models of electric saws are most often equipped with special systems that automatically supply oil to the cutting tool. Old versions of such units required manual lubrication. For this purpose, you need to use oil that has certain technical characteristics and viscosity index.
Oil is poured into a special tank, from which after a certain time it is pushed out by an oil pump. The feed mechanism must provide enough lubrication to the saw's chain to prevent increased friction, which causes overheating.
When the engine speed increases, the oil pump starts working. The gear is driven on the main shaft. The pressure in the system increases. The oil begins to move towards the tire until it comes into contact with the saw housing. There is a groove there. It is towards this that the channel supplying oil is directed. This longitudinal groove is necessary so that lubricant can be supplied to the tire regardless of the voltage level of the mechanism. The position of the tire during operation does not matter; lubricant, thanks to the presence of a groove, will flow to it constantly and evenly. The links of the chain itself have a hole or their own groove, from where the lubricant is distributed along its entire length. If the motor increases the speed of rotation, then the pumping of lubricant material also occurs faster. Therefore, you only need to fill the electric saw with lubricant when the engine is turned off.
Consequences of lack or excess lubrication on the chain
For normal operation of an electric saw, certain requirements must be met. First of all, this relates to the process of chain lubrication, more precisely, to the amount of oil that is required to ensure the protection of the mechanism parts. If there is not enough supply, the following problems may arise:
- The tire will fail.
- The circuit begins to overheat.
- The cutting teeth become dull quickly.
- The sprocket wears out quickly.
- The chain jams and may even break.
- Cutting requires more time and effort.
Many modern models have an automated lubrication system that regulates its supply. But in the event of a malfunction, oil may begin to flow out in excess and drain from the chain mechanism. This will lead to serious overspending. The cost of high-quality lubricant for electric saws is high. Therefore, its uneconomical use will cause additional financial costs.
Types of oils for lubricating electric saws
There are special brands of such materials for lubricating the chain of an electric saw. There are many options available in the retail chain. They all have different composition. Their base can be synthetic, mineral and semi-synthetic. There are also chain remedies based on plant materials. Each variety has its own characteristics. When choosing, it is necessary to take into account the advantages and disadvantages of the material.
The most effective are synthetic varieties. They can be used even at very low temperatures - frosts below -40 ° C, ensuring normal operation of the tool. But a serious disadvantage of such materials is their high cost. Consumers cannot always afford to buy them. Therefore, they prefer other options.
The price of mineral oils is two or more times lower than synthetic oils. But their quality characteristics are also noticeably lower. At low temperatures, even at -25 ° C, they cannot reach their destination in the motor, and the parts begin to undergo friction, and as a result, the mechanism quickly fails. Therefore, if it is necessary to work in cold weather, they are useless and other types of lubricants should be used.
The middle option between mineral and synthetic oils is semi-synthetic. Such materials are commercially available for electric and gasoline saws. If you need to purchase chain lubricant for an electric saw, it is better to choose the brands and grades of materials that are indicated in the instructions for the unit. Usually these are the types that have the most desirable characteristics for a given model.
Useful tips
It is important to keep in mind that as the engine speed increases, the rate of pumping of the lubricant also increases noticeably. That is why it is necessary to pour the oil mixture into an electric saw only when the engine is turned off.
Lubricating compounds for electric saw chains should be purchased exclusively at specialized retail outlets. Only such products are of high quality and effective. You should not purchase goods at markets or street shops. Most likely, they will sell you a fake, which will not only be useless, but will also lead to damage to the instrument.
There are a lot of oils on sale. But the best option is oil with good adhesive properties. Such products contain special additives. Thanks to the latter, the composition does not shake off or flow off the chain of the electric saw as it actively rotates. Only such a remedy will be effective and will have a beneficial effect on the condition of the instrument.
How to choose oil for an electric saw, learn from the video below.
Can I use regular motor oil?
Many novice craftsmen wonder whether regular motor oil is suitable for lubricating an electric saw chain. It is almost always available in any workshop, but not every user has a special lubricant.
It is permissible to use transmission and motor compositions, but it is undesirable to use mineral ones. Although there are some models for which it is suitable. The technical documentation of the unit provides such information. If it is not there, then it is unacceptable to lubricate the saw chain mechanism with motor oil, so as not to spoil it.
Regular vegetable oil is also not suitable for this purpose. It does not have sufficient viscosity, so the lubricating effect will not last long and the tool will not be protected during operation. It is not recommended to use mining, since it is of low quality and will not be able to provide the necessary protection.
Practical recommendations
It’s hard to believe that a user who has allowed himself to purchase a power saw, for example, from Stihl or Makita, will use grinding or other exotic options, widely presented on thematic resources, to lubricate the chain. Just like pouring sunflower or corn oil into an oil tank, boil graphite lubricant with diesel fuel.
Less knowledgeable users should not rely solely on the definition of “oil” when choosing a lubricant for a saw chain. Although there are those who like to present industrial, transformer and other brands of oils with specific properties as universal lubricants.
Practical experience in operating chain saws with an electric drive shows that oils of the M8 and M10 brands, tested for decades, have quite decent lubricating, consumable and, ultimately, economic indicators. To lubricate the chain of an electric saw, you can use all brands of oils that, according to their inherent characteristics, are designed specifically for lubricating rubbing surfaces.
With experience comes an understanding of what viscosity of oil to use for work in the cold season or summer; cut soft and wet wood or dry and hard wood.
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Choosing the right saw lubricant
If the technical documentation does not contain special instructions and recommendations, then products from reliable companies should be used. Such materials are of high quality and meet the requirements. Manufacturers usually recommend brands of lubricants that match the brands of the tool itself; they are the most suitable. However, their cost is also high, this will also have to be taken into account. Choosing the right lubricant for an electric saw is the key to obtaining the required work result and preserving the device.
An example of an inexpensive and high-quality product is the Champion brand. It is suitable for working in various temperature conditions. On sale you can find packages of 3 and 10 liters. It is easy and convenient to use. Another well-known brand is the Husqvarna brand. This oil is very effective. Its cost is also moderate.
Forest plus and Bio Plus also produce material for lubricating electric chain saws. The latter is also distinguished by the fact that when it gets into the soil it decomposes quickly. Under suitable conditions, the shelf life of these materials is 3 years. However, they can be used at air temperatures not lower than -15 °C.
Sunth Plus brand oil is suitable for use in fairly severe frosts, down to -25 °C. It is made on a synthetic base. It tolerates even high loads during equipment operation. This brand is one of the best.
You should not trust handicraft products, the price of which is very low. Not only are they ineffective, but they can even cause serious damage to the instrument. This also applies to waste products. It contaminates the saw chain and mechanism.
Is it possible to put 95 gasoline into a chainsaw?
Sometimes in the instructions for some imported chainsaws, their manufacturers indicate AI-95 gasoline as the recommended fuel. Is it possible to prepare a gasoline mixture based on such fuel and use it to refuel garden tools? First of all, you should remember that imported and domestic 95 grade gasoline are 2 different things.
Abroad, such fuel is distinguished by its purity and high quality, while domestic 95th gasoline is not much different from 92nd. The fact is that the octane number of domestic gasoline is artificially achieved through the use of various impurities, which, in fact, do not improve its quality in any way. Therefore, you should not pour such fuel into the tank of a chainsaw. Otherwise, the owner of the saw will face expensive repairs, at his own expense, since none of the warranty service centers will agree to repair the tool under warranty.
The process of lubricating the chain of an electric saw
In addition to making the right choice, it is also important to know how to fill the electric saw with oil. Modern models have special reservoirs for lubricants. Filling them with oil is easy. Then, within a few seconds, you need to start the unit so that it runs idle. The purpose of this action is to distribute the lubricant along the entire length of the chain and lubricate it evenly. After this you can start working.
However, older models of electric chain saws do not have a system for lubricating the chain. But they also need lubrication. It will have to be accomplished in a different way. The chain just needs to be dipped into a container with a lubricant. Or use a special syringe or brush, with which you can lubricate the parts of the device. The most convenient way to do this is to use an aerosol package, which allows you to apply the lubricant carefully and evenly. During operation, you will have to lubricate repeatedly.
Proper handling and care of equipment can extend its useful life. The use of lubricants helps to work with an electric saw for a long time and effectively, protecting the mechanism from premature wear of parts. Operation of the unit will proceed uninterruptedly and no repair costs will be required.
How to choose?
If you want your electric saw to serve for a long time and not cause you any trouble, then you should choose high-quality oil for it. You should approach this issue very seriously, because the condition and performance of a not-so-cheap tool will depend on your choice.
When choosing a lubricant, several basic criteria should be taken into account.
- As mentioned above, it is permissible to use engine or transmission oil only if the tool manufacturer allows it. Open the instructions - there should be a clause about the permissibility of using such oils. Also, do not use only mineral formulations. Motor oil can not only lubricate the chain, but also clean various systems in the device.
