3-in-1 oil? - sh.itjust.works

Is there a Canadian alternative to 3-in-1 oil? I am looking for a thin, protecting lubricant for my small tools.

For me, there’s nothing wrong with some used light motor oil. Can’t use it if your car is a diesel. Also consider rustproofing oils, with a rubon/off coating. I’m trying linseed oil as a natural alternative to motor oil but even boiled it sets up so it needs to be a crazy thin coat.

Umm linseed oil is an oxidizing oil and therefore not a good choice since as you’ve found, it will ALWAYS harden…

Ballistol Universal Oil is German or Austrian I think and works great in place of 3 in 1 and many more spots. Thousand and 1 uses.

Although it can be tricky to find everywhere, most sporting goods shops with a hunting section will have it, or Canadian Tire does. Comes in spray or liquid. Ask your local hardware store to start carrying it!

I’ve never tried this myself, but 3-in-1 is a naptha-based oil mixture. I wonder if a valve oil for brass instruments would work. It’s usually thin, is petroleum based, and often has anti-corrosive compounds.

Another option could be common mineral oil.

And a final thought, if your tools are in a box, camphor tablets are supposed to be able to protect tools by interacting with the oxygen and depositing a protective layer as it sublimates.

I don’t know which of these are specifically Canadian, but you should be able to find non-American options.

Not quite the same thing as 3-in-ONE, but these folks are Canadian. For example ACF-50 gets used on snowblower augurs.

www.learchem.com/products/acf-50.html

Lear Chemical Research Corporation

Lear Chemical Research developing and compounding anti corrosion lubricants and greases, ACF-50, Corrosion Block, Corrosion Block Grease, Rust Block, effectively solving corrosion related problems in the Automotive, Aviation, Industrial, Marine, Motorcycle and Recreational industries.

Acf50 is not a lubricant.