Notes from the woodpile

How to oil a mini chainsaw

A chainsaw chain runs metal on metal at close to 30 feet per second. Without oil it heats up, stretches, dulls and wears the guide bar. The good news is that oiling a Tietoc mini chainsaw takes about a minute — here is how the auto oiler works and what to put in it.

Which oil to use

Bar-and-chain oil is the right choice. It is made to cling to a moving chain instead of flinging off, so less is wasted and the bar stays coated. If you run out mid-job, general motor oil works in the Tietoc mini chainsaw, which is why the listing says so. Avoid cooking oil, which gums up, and avoid used engine oil, which carries grit into the chain.

None of the kits ship with oil in the tank, because oil cannot travel in a sealed box. Most include an empty oil bottle; fill it once and keep it with the saw.

How the auto oiler works

The Tietoc oil system is a small reservoir on the side of the saw with a press-button pump. Fill the reservoir through the cap, close it firmly and press the oil button a few times before the first cut. Each press sends a measured amount of oil to the guide bar, and the moving chain spreads it along the rails. On the 2-in-1 pole saws the oiling runs automatically during operation.

• Remove the battery before filling
• Fill to just below the cap — overfilling only means drips
• Press the oiler two or three times before the first cut
• Press again every few cuts, or whenever the chain looks dry

Signs the chain is running dry

A dry chain tells you quickly. Look for smoke or a hot smell near the bar, darkened wood at the cut, a chain that looks dull and dusty instead of glossy, or a cut that slows down for no reason. Stop, check the reservoir and press the oiler. If the tank is full but the chain stays dry, the oil port in the bar may be clogged with sawdust — remove the battery, take off the cover and clear the port with a brush.

Storing an oiled saw

A little seepage from the reservoir during storage is normal for small chainsaws. Store the saw flat on a rag or in its case, with the battery removed. If it will sit for a season, empty the reservoir and wipe the bar. A thin coat of oil on the chain before storage stops rust and keeps it ready for spring.