3n1 oil and Lionel lubrication

I'm told that Lionel stated at one point that it might not be compatible with all plastics, but that might not affect your trains if all metal.  The thing I've noticed, using it for years, is that the engines seem to need to warm up for a few laps (like the old cars) before hitting their stride.  But it hasn't caused any damage.

I would say yes, on metal parts. I sometimes use it myself. But a lot of guys will have strong preferences for synthetic oils and other products which may perform somewhat better.

One of the first things I had to do, when I grew up and decided to start running my old Lionel 2026 again, was to clean out the old, caked, dried-out gummy 3-in-one residue from years ago.

 

On that basis alone, I use only modern synthetic oils on my trains.

thats what I use at train shows, 3 in 1 oil.

I run trains all day(changing the locos out every

40min or so)

Ive been using that for 20 yrs and have had no

problems. I also use a food flavor injector as a grease gun.

(walmart $3.00)

I cut the pointed tip off and filled it with white

lithium grease to grease all my locomotives.

In the '20s Lionel provided a sample of 3-in-1 oil with every outfit.

 

Ron M

I also use 3-in-1 oil for smoke fluid, works fine, but some forumites imply I'm stupid for not using MEGA-STEAM. Mineral oil and basic chemistry ... but we better not get into that !

3-in-1 oil used on Ives and Lionel tinplate in my family from 1924 to 2008.

The smell of 3-in-1 is part of the tinplate experience.

 

Now, I use this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Liquid...;hash=item4cf222729f

mostly because of the very convenient tip puts the oil where you want it, and the slightly thicker viscosity keeps it there.

I've used 3 in 1 now for over 30 years and never had any negative affects or problems.

Gandy

I don't use it.  I buy and use the lubricants specifically made for model trains.

Here's a link to the 3 in 1 website.  

 

http://www.3inone.com/faqs/

 

franktrain

 

 

 

 

 

Hoo-ray for 3-in-1 !  A time-tested traditional oil for traditional trains !

Back in the 50's I used 3-in-1 oil for smoke fluid in the pill type smoke units.

I don't recommend this use.

I stopped using 3-in-1 oil as a lubricant years ago. Typically I use a labelle product. 

I use my 3-in-1 oil for wet sanding metal.

 

 

just go to their website and read the MSDS which will give you all the information

needed to make a valued judgement.

 

Bernard

I would never use any traditional petroleum-based oil on trains. They dry out and can leave a gummy residue. I use a synthetic product called Break Free CLP (Clean, Lubricate, Protect). It was designed for use in automatic weapons, which reciprocate at high speed and high temperature and a gummed-up lubricant can get you killed. If it's good enough for a belt-fed FN Minimi at 700 rounds per minute, it's good enough for my Bild-a-Loco. 

I have Break Free CLP in my gun cabinet, I may have to consider that for the trains.  It works well on the guns...

I’ve used Labelle’s products for my trains or years. Their regular oil for the usual lube points and the white grease for gears.

 

WD-40 is NOT a lubricant. It is to replace moisture in/on the article.

 

Ron M