I've had nothing but bad luck with the newer 3-in-1 plastic "cans" with the extendable spout. Two in a row have sprung leaks in the bottom and the oil has drained out all over my workbench. It seems that the spout is so long that when you push it back down it punctures the bottom.
I have never used 3-in-1 on model trains, though. I prefer Dexron III Automatic Transmission Fluid or lubricants made specifically for models.
GDS- thanks for the MSDS on Wahl and Singer oils! I've been a fan of Wahl clipper oil for years since I ran my own traction tests on grade in O gauge. My only advice is a little goes a long ways. If you can see it, you probably used too much. Wipe off any excess runs.
All Whal clipper oil is is straight 100% mineral oil that can be found on the CHEAP at Wal Mart. It has to be, because it's made for human skin contact so it's regulated by the FDA. Check this out:
http://www.northerntails.com/images/MSDS_Wahl_Clipper_Oil.pdf
Same with Singer Sewing machine oil. Tom you're spot on.
http://web.starlinx.com/www.clearcoproducts.com/pdf/msds/15/msds-S2.pdf
I would imagine mineral oil would have to be plastic compatible since the combs on clippers are made of plastic.
Wahl Clipper oil and Singer Sewing machine oil are both designed to lubricate plastics. 3in1 is designed to desolve plastic. I got "turned onto" Wahl Clipper Oil back in 1970's during my "N" days, found it convenient for many other uses around the house, haven't had 3in1 in the house in 30+years.
Tom Trigg
I've always heard to keep 3 in 1 oil as far away from a model railroad as possible.
I also used 3-in-1 in the beginning. I read that sewing machine oil is safe on plastics. While at the local Wal-Mart yesterday, I found SINGER sewing machine oil 4 oz for $2.59. Sure beats the $5.50 for 1/2 oz that is marketed for the trains. I'm all ears if you think I'm going down the wrong path. Shu
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I use Dexron III Automatic Transmission Fluid or Whale Oil. Dexron is plastic compatible and formulated to withstand temperature variations of hundreds of degrees.
The whale oil is some my father found many years ago in an old clock repair shop he was demolishing. A full quart bottle of it, which is enough to last several lifetimes of lubricating models.
Wahl oil, hair clipper oil, is most excellent for use around plastics. There are lots of little plastic pieces in hair trimmers. I used Wahl oil all the time in HO and N for most everything, lubricating engines, wheel barrings, cleaning the rails and what ever. It facilitated electrical conductivity and just made everything easier to work with, until it came time to clean the wheels on cars. It has a tendency of collecting debris on the little plastic wheel sets of N scale. I've not tried to use it outside yet, other than wheel barring lube jobs.
There is a guy in another thread that swears it's fine and has been using it for years.
I've had 3 in 1 attack plastic. I don't use it except on metal to metal on non-train stuff.
Regards, Greg
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I agree with the other posts DO NOT use it on a new loco it will invalidate the warranty. Bachmann and LGB can tell what as been used IE plastic damage and 3 in 1 will colect fluff and odd things around the layout. As you have said its an old loco so its your choice I would not do it.
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Independent Operator Most everyone is familiar with the little cans of 3 In One Oil. I've kept it on hand for most of my life for use around the home. Pretty good stuff. However I try to follow the "rules" about using only hobby related lubricants for my engines and rolling stock. The stuff made by Bachmann, LGB and so on. A couple of days ago I dug out a Bachmann Big Hauler engine from my dead pile of stuff that I don't use. This engine would never stay on the tracks of my layout when I first started four years ago. The typical problem with the pilot wheels not staying on the tracks. I must have done some pretty good track maintenance and adjustments over the years as it stays on the tracks great now. Just blew me away. The only problem was a major squeek in the wheels when turning corners that I could not lubricate away using the lubricants from Bachmann. Really an annoying noise. I mulled over the option of sending it to Bachmann with 30 bucks for repair along with spending 15-20 bucks for shipping. Money being tight I opted out and in desperation I got my can of 3 In One Oil and used it on the engine. NO MORE SQUEEKS Good stuff that 3 in One Oil. But---does anyone have any con's about using it on G gauge equipment? Any input welcomed! Yeah....it's not plastic compatible. Use it on an old Big Hauler, where the axles ride directly in the plastic chassis......well, come back in six months and tell us how the chassis fared. I have some 3-in-1, but make absolutely certain it stays in the GARAGE, not the SHOP.
Most everyone is familiar with the little cans of 3 In One Oil. I've kept it on hand for most of my life for use around the home. Pretty good stuff. However I try to follow the "rules" about using only hobby related lubricants for my engines and rolling stock. The stuff made by Bachmann, LGB and so on.
A couple of days ago I dug out a Bachmann Big Hauler engine from my dead pile of stuff that I don't use. This engine would never stay on the tracks of my layout when I first started four years ago. The typical problem with the pilot wheels not staying on the tracks. I must have done some pretty good track maintenance and adjustments over the years as it stays on the tracks great now. Just blew me away.
The only problem was a major squeek in the wheels when turning corners that I could not lubricate away using the lubricants from Bachmann. Really an annoying noise. I mulled over the option of sending it to Bachmann with 30 bucks for repair along with spending 15-20 bucks for shipping. Money being tight I opted out and in desperation I got my can of 3 In One Oil and used it on the engine.
NO MORE SQUEEKS
Good stuff that 3 in One Oil. But---does anyone have any con's about using it on G gauge equipment?
Any input welcomed!
Yeah....it's not plastic compatible.
Use it on an old Big Hauler, where the axles ride directly in the plastic chassis......well, come back in six months and tell us how the chassis fared.
I have some 3-in-1, but make absolutely certain it stays in the GARAGE, not the SHOP.
I do not think 3-n-1 oil is plastic compatible. You may find that the plastic will deteriorate. There are many good plastic compatible hobby oils/lubes out there by Woodland Scenics (Hobb-E-Lube), Aero-Car (also sold as Bachmann's brand), and LaBelle. Its worth spending a few extra bucks to be on the safe side.
- Brian
RUDY JAGER, CEO OF THE LONE WOLF RAILROAD
TRUST ME--I USED TO WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT!
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