3-in-1 oil substitute

[bc]

Hi, Anyone know of something that would be a substitute for 3 in 1 oil that works the same but cheaper by the quart or gallon? Those little 3 in 1 squirt bottles don't seem to last long and they cost a few bucks each. Marvel mystery oil seems to be a similar viscosity but I'm not sure of it's lube value for small bearings and such.

 

[Bob]

While probably not cheaper than 3 in 1, turbine oil is a FAR superior oil for little motors, sleeve bearings, linkages, etc.

Here's ONE manufacturer's product...

<img src = "http://kingssupply.com/usrimage/zoomspout.jpg">

 

[Chris (WA)]

I seconds Bob's suggestion. We use Zoom Spout oilers on every service van for genral light lubrication. Not only is turbine oil superior but those Zoom Spout bottles work slick for getting oil in to most places.
Johnstone Supply, Graingers. most appliance parts and industrial supply stores carry it around here. Look for a place that caters to maintenance personell or appliance technicians.
I have bought quarts of turbine oil as well but danged if I can think of where at the moment. Used it in air lubricators so it probably was an air compressor shop or similar.

 

[ArkanDan]

Have been wanting to set some little oil bottles in strategic places and this seems to fit the bill. Looks to be cheaper than the 3 in 1 oil that I've seen around. Does this look like a "good deal" or is this some sort of crap. Not terribly knowledgable with regards to oils, especially these "exotic oils". It is less expensive than the Shell 500 turbine oil sold by the quart at Amazon. Go or no go?? Click the link if you care to give an opinion.
Wagner Turbine Oil e bay

 

[Chris (WA)]

Junp on it Dan. That should work just fine for general purpose light lubrication. Might just pick up a case myself!

 

[old]

I use ATF in a lot of things like motor bearings etc and so far it has worked just fine

 

[bc]

I think I have a deal of that zoom turbine oil around. But you bring up an idea, old. I've got a bunch of quarts of atf laying around. I can mix it half and half with engine oil.

Thanks guys.

 

[old]

Why mix it. ATF is in fact a thin oil like a 20W but is very high in detergents so as to keep things clean so no need to mix an oil in since it is in fact an oil in its self

 

[bill b va]

spindle oil . i wouldn't 3 & 1 oil on anything of importance .

 

[mpowis]

3 in 1 is made by the wd-40 company. wd-40 available in 55gal drums.

 

[Stan in Oly, WA]

Hi,

3 in One (or 3 in 1) oil was bought by the WD-40 company in 1995, 101 years after it was first formulated. I looked it up because I remembered seeing my dad use 3 in 1 oil at least 20 years before I first saw WD-40.

Stan

 

[Bob]

WHAT would ANYONE do with 55 gallons of WD40, for Pete's sakes?

 

[whizkidkyus]

Bob ,

They would pour it in little squirt bottles for the same purposes as the little cans are used for.

Whizkid

 

[Bob]

Yeah, but WHAT is WD40 good for?

It's FAR from the best penetrating oil and NOT a lube oil.

 

[36 Coupe]

MMO is loaded with solvent, not good for bushing lube.Buy a good pump oiler and use motor oil non detergent best.3in1 oil was a mix of animal,vegetable and mineral oil.It did gum up sewing machines and guns.

 

[Goose]

You got that right!

I used to sell Justice Brothers automotive chemicals. Their equivalent of WD40 is JB80. When I did demos, I could take a viscosity tester and make WD40 look like tap water compared to JB80.

 

[Bob S.]

Howdy,
Just have to add my 2 cents worth, like Stan says below, 3in1 was developed over 100 years ago. Back in those days if you needed a guart of oil for your car or whatever, you had to find a gas station (very rare) they sold oil bulk, lined up in bottles next to the gas pump, you bought the oil, not the bottle. Some drug stores also sold gasoline. Finding a small quantity of oil for the sewing machine or household use was not all that easy, 3in1 filled a need, still does. But as far as being a great lube, well there are probably a hundred better products being made today.
Bob S.

 

[Hobo,NC]

Read this on a professional automotive site ,,, they were talk'n about break in oil they used in race engines... you make the call... copy and paste

&gt;I
&gt;personally start a new engine on ATF, and run it no-load
&gt;through two or three heat cycles before changing the oil and
&gt;using an oil appropriate to the project.

I would not recomend that. Type F ATF has a pretty good dose
of ZDP as an extreme pressure additive that might allow you
to get away with that. Other ATFs do not. I would much
preffer an ACEA A3/B3 approved 0W-30 for initial start and
break-in. Such an oil product has an appropriate level of
extreme pressure additive and is the appropriate kinematic
and dynamic viscosity.

 

[Russ from MN]

I understand WD40 means water displacer, 40th formula, has its uses but not much of a lubricant.

 

[karl f]

another vote for zoom.
Sewing machine and Hammond-Organ-Oil are probably the same thing.
They seem a little thin for some things. You can also get turbine oil in various viscosities in 5 gallon on up quantities from some oil suppliers.
Some stores still sell or can get quarts of non detergent SAE 10, 20, or 30. Some are priced right, others can be double current 10w30 conventional oils.

there are options out there, but they aren"t at the popular stores.

karl f

 

[SCHMUCK 2]

ATF for a break in oil on a rebuilt engine???? I wouldn't EVER do that.

 

[J.Wondergem]

You gotta admit that WD40 will do a good job of washing your dirty, greasey hands clean.

 

[bc]

Well I went out to the airport and picked up a quart of Mobil Jet Oil II synthetic turbine oil for $11 a quart. Came in a round quart can. They had other brands all the way up to $21 a quart. BP was the highest (no thanks). $11 a qt (32 oz.) is still a lot cheaper than those little 3-in-1 oil jugs at about a dollar an ounce. And a much better oil according to you guys here. Thanks.

Now I can fill up my squirt bottles and probably put the rest in an oil jug with a cap.

 

[john_Bud]

(quoted from post at 10:43:14 10/19/10) ATF for a break in oil on a rebuilt engine???? I wouldn't EVER do that.

I once bought a used car that I swear had the factory oil in it for 10 years. It had tapping lifter issues, low power, etc etc (but was cheap). I got ------ at how quick it made new oil black, so one afternoon it got 5qt of ATF. Let it idle for an hour or so while the football game played. Dumped the sludgy muck out and filled with 10w30 and it ran like new.

But on a fresh rebuilt engine...I agree, why?

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 18:43:14 10/19/10) ATF for a break in oil on a rebuilt engine???? I wouldn't EVER do that.

Not me either,,, the guy that posted that is big into Chrysler muscle car restoration,,, I was suprized only one commented on the ATF usage...

Bout all I got out of it was type F had ZDP