!! In the quiet hours of the bootcamp grind, I found myself: Esteban's Bootcamp Experience

Esteban Ademovski wrote:

Later in the day I performed some maintenance on one of the chainsaws, making sure it was cleaned up and in good working condition for future use.

Esteban,   This line caught my eye as I've been struggling with a chainsaw issue lately.  I've never fully understood how chain oil gets from the chainsaw reservoir to the chain while in operation.  I've observed the little hole that can be seen, typically positioned between the two main nuts that keep the bar in place, out from which oil can be seen pumping when the bar is removed.  But does the oil then just move across the outer surface of the bar to reach the chain?  Or is there some conduit within the bar itself that allows the oil to get into the channel that holds the chain in place while operating?  I've noticed recently that the chain channel on the saw in question is packed with fine sawdust.  Could this somehow be preventing oil from properly flowing into that channel?  Thanks!

John Weiland wrote:

Esteban Ademovski wrote:

Later in the day I performed some maintenance on one of the chainsaws, making sure it was cleaned up and in good working condition for future use.

Esteban,   This line caught my eye as I've been struggling with a chainsaw issue lately.  I've never fully understood how chain oil gets from the chainsaw reservoir to the chain while in operation.  I've observed the little hole that can be seen, typically positioned between the two main nuts that keep the bar in place, out from which oil can be seen pumping when the bar is removed.  But does the oil then just move across the outer surface of the bar to reach the chain?  Or is there some conduit within the bar itself that allows the oil to get into the channel that holds the chain in place while operating?  I've noticed recently that the chain channel on the saw in question is packed with fine sawdust.  Could this somehow be preventing oil from properly flowing into that channel?  Thanks!

That’s a really good question—and honestly, it confused me for a long time too until I finally saw how it all connects.

So basically, when your saw is running, a little oil pump pushes bar oil out through that small hole on the body of the saw (the one you noticed by the bar studs). That lines up with a matching hole on the bar.

From there, the oil goes into the bar, not just across the outside. The bar has that groove all the way around it—the same groove your chain sits in—and that’s where the oil is actually fed. Once it’s in there, the moving chain carries the oil around the whole bar as it spins.

So yeah, there is kind of a built-in pathway—it’s just that groove itself doing the work.

And what you noticed about the groove being packed with fine sawdust? That’s very likely your issue.

If that groove gets clogged:

1. Oil can’t get in properly
2. The chain can’t spread it around
3. Everything starts running dry and hotter than it should

I’ve run into that before, especially with finer dust—it really likes to pack in there.

What I usually do is:

1. Take the bar off
2. Run something thin through the groove (small screwdriver, pick, even a bit of wire)
3. Clear out the oil hole on the bar too
4. Wipe everything down while you’re in there

Then after you put it back together, a quick check is to run the saw and point the tip at a log—you should see a light line or mist of oil coming off. If you don’t, something’s still blocked.

It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference in how the saw runs.

What kind of saw are you working with? Some of them have their own little quirks with oil flow.

Much thanks for this explanation, Esteban!....This answers years of questions from Stihl gas saws to my current 20V/60V Dewalt electric cordless units.  Right now, it's a small 20V Dewalt that is acting up.  I already used a small wire just to make sure the hole and tube going back into the reservoir are clear....now as you note, I highly suspect a groove packed with find sawdust to be the culprit....especially as that dust looks quite dry.  I was getting by lately just manually oiling the chain externally and keeping run times on that saw very low.  Hope now with your advice to get it back into proper shape.  Thanks again!.....

B.E.L. Post # 122

After the morning meeting, the day really began in that quiet, satisfying way that only happens when a place is waking up with purpose. The classrooms and the shop had their rocket mass heaters lit, and you could feel that gentle, steady warmth settling into the bones of the buildings—like they were breathing along with us.

Seth and I made our way back to the Cooper Cabin gate project. There’s something deeply rewarding about returning to a piece of work and picking up right where you left off, tools in hand, rhythm already waiting. By late morning, we had the gate framed up—solid, square, and looking like it belonged there. Before it makes its way to the Abbey, all that’s left is to drawbore the tenons and mortises, locking it together in that old, reliable way that doesn’t ask for metal to hold its strength.

After lunch, the crew split paths a bit. Seth, Stephen, Bounce, and I headed out toward the lab. Stephen stayed behind with the tractor to do some road grading—one of those behind-the-scenes tasks that makes everything else smoother, even if it doesn’t always get the spotlight.

The rest of us went on a trail cam run, moving through the land with that quiet awareness that something might be watching, even if we don’t see it. There’s always a bit of anticipation when you pull those cards, like opening a letter from the woods itself.

Back at basecamp, we reviewed the footage. Nothing unusual this time—just the usual unseen life continuing on its own schedule, just out of frame of our daily work.

Later on, Seth and I headed back out to the lab and got to work at the sawmill site, processing logs. It’s a different kind of rhythm from joinery—louder, heavier—but just as satisfying in its own way. Before long, Stephen joined us, wrapping the day with that steady, shared effort that seems to tie all the different pieces of work together.

Another day of small progress, good company, and work that leaves you tired in the right way.

Esteban Ademovski wrote:Then after you put it back together, a quick check is to run the saw and point the tip at a log—you should see a light line or mist of oil coming off. If you don’t, something’s still blocked.

I can't remember- what does the lab run through the chainsaws for oil? After reading a thread here on bar oil, I started using vegetable oil to prevent flinging petroleum all over the forest. Haven't noticed a problem with my Ryobi electric in the last couple years, but I've only done my long cutting sessions in the cold in that time.