Is 3 in 1 oil plastic compatible?
Steve, I think it depends on who makes it. I have heard that it is, and I have heard that it isn’t. So I don’t even own any of that stuff.
I have used 3 in 1 oil for several things where it has come in contact with plastic parts. I haven’t seen any degradation in the plastic. But with that said I have not lubricated plastic parts with it. I would love to know others experience because I would have not thought twice about using the stuff.
If you are faint of heart, err on the side of caution and stick with oil specifically designed for plastics. But, that being said, I think the synthetic oils used in cars would be a good alternative. It is slippery as hell, and a little would go a long way. A container of the stuff would last, on even the biggest pike, for years! It is not petroleum-based, so it probably wouldn’t attack plastics. It is breakdown resistant under high temperatures too.
One of our contributors here on the forums at LSC has checked out the synthetic oil supply (Mobil), and reported on his findings…even reporting that a representative of Mobil was surprised all to hell at the price we were paying for “Plastic compatible” lubricating “Oils” in the small containers offered by model RR suppliers…BTW It is very well known that "3 and 1’ oil is NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ANY USE ON PLASTIC models…unless something has changed in its formula lately.
Fred, yes I read that somewhere. But I also remember a post on LSOL where a member there swore by the stuff. Me, I don’t have any, I would rather stick with proven lubricants.
I believe 3-in-one oil is similar to WD40. It’s not just a lubricant but sort of a cleaner as well. I know we went through plenty of WD40 cleaning our M16s way back when…
3 in 1 is known here as “The Watchrepairers best friend” due to the number of people who insist on oiling their older clock mechanisms with it, instead of the correct Watchmakers Oil!!(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)
There have been many, many, truly uninformed, possibly well meaning people from LSOL, and other places, over the years, swearing by a lot of things that have and will cause all kinds of troubles in our hobby.
There have also been a GREAT many people who have gone to great lengths to do a lot of research, before giving any advice.
Be aware that a so called “Newbie” can enter the halls of any hobby; bursting with ideas, and wanting to help. After just one little idea, posting, they often jump in acting like they are “Experts”, and there the problem starts.
New ideas, and well thought-out suggestions, are what keeps us moving in a positive direction, but without a fair bit of research, we can all be led “Down the garden path”.
Just like all the fuel saving devices that have hit the “Gadget Market” over the years, the appeal of the perfect lubricant often sends us off on dead-end paths…beware…
One of the automated assembly machine manufacturers that I dealt with in my former life as an employed person specifically stated in their machine manuals that the use of 3 in 1 oil on their equipment would void the warranty, something you don’t want to have happen when it’s a $250K piece of machinery.
I just thought I’d ask. Sorry I brought it up. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-innocent.gif)
Glad you did Steve, I’ll put the three in one on the back shelf and look for the right stuff!
Featherkile don’t look like no Newbie to me. More like an Oldbie or maybe a Slightly Used-bie. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
Meanwhile, this “kid” is off to the sports doc to get his shoulder refurbished after waving around his Light Saber aka Saws All, while reconstructing his garage.
Slightly Used??? (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
I would like to let people know that some “plastic compatible” lubricants are DANGEROUS to use.
LABELLS namely, their LIGHT Grade oil in PARTICULAR, I have used both the standard Medium Grade and the Light Grade on my large scale stuff and I am now going to say without any hesitation DO NOT USE THE LIGHT GRADE EVER ON YOUR GEARS. The Standard is alot thicker and hasn’t been a problem but the light grade stuff is lethal to some gear boxes.
I have now had THREE plastic drive gears slip on their metal axles due to using the Light Grade lube, its SO fine it actually gets into the microscopic gap between the plastic gear and the metal axle and compromises the pressure seal between the two. It’s why my NWSL magic Carpet Drive failed and two other smaller gearboxes now have slipped their main drive gears. There is no cure beyond driving a pin thru the axle if you are brave enough to do that and have the tools to drill thru a hardened steel axle, which I am neither brave enough nor have the right tools to do so.
I’ll verify tonight which grade is the problem one, its either 107 or 108. Use the thicker stuff.
Naw, Steve, you ain’t Slightly Used. Just, umm, “seasoned.” BTW, shoulder specialist sports doc sed therapy, implying I’m too old for surgery, which is OK by me.
Therapy is good.
Do you think you tore a rotator cuff muscle/tendon while waving your light saber?
My research and conclusions match those of Fred, and I give the same advice.
3 in 1 is not plastic compatible, nor even a very good oil. For the small amounts we use, I cannot see worrying about the cost at all, no matter what the product.
LaBellle used to be the “bees knees”, but I do not think they have any outstanding products.
I use Hob-E-Lube and Aero Car lubes and they are pretty much the best I can find, unless I could buy watchmakers oil! (which would most likely be too “light” for most large scale)
Greg
Agreed. The small amount of lubricants we are supposed to use on our motor block gears and rolling stock wheels won’t break the bank if you buy the manufacturers product. The only time I lubricate motor block gears and axles is when I buy a new loco, which 99% of the time is a used piece from Ebay.
Yes. Its nice to read that some other people think pretty much what I think. I could have saved money by buying something other then the LGB lube. But, really, the tube is now at least 13 years old, and its not empty yet. So, knowing that I bought the approved lube, and still having some of it left, it was worth it for me. If I had bought a quart of synthetic heavy oil, I would still have almost a quart left.