Grease gun question

[Blu-meanie]

Anybody else have wars with their grease guns? I've had issues since the '60's. Either they are one squirt from empty, have an air pocket, or leaking oil and grease out of the back. I end up with more grease on me, the floor, or the bench than I use on the fittings. The grease cartridges don't fit so usually I need to load the gun with a putty knife. Does anyone know of a brand or grease gun that actually works, loads easily, and is not a PITA to use?

Could be operator trouble.

 

[mwilson]

This is what I have used for years...the best design in my opinion...

Started using them when I had my own trucks, frees up one hand to hold the hose on the fitting....they load easily, just a couple of burps with the top loose and off you go...

https://www.finditparts.com/product...v6YcRxdBdATFVBS69rKWaqvJIMoydE7AUWhoCfCPw_wcB

 

[mwilson]

And stick with Alemite brand, skip the knock offs..

 

[mwilson]

Are your grease tubes paper or plastic?? The newer plastic tubes seem to load very well.

Do you leave the top loose to burp the air?? Also make sure the handle has engaged the push plate and then apply pressure to the handle (I use my work bench to push against) with the top loose. You will hear the air burp out. You may pop the top off a time or two before figuring out just how loose you can leave it while purging the air.

I then put the hose end right in the trash can and give it few pumps before dragging everything (including myself) back under the vehicle and finding an air pocket.

 

[Jim W]

I use a small Lincoln hand held grease gun model #1134 for the last two years works great for my needs.

I have had many issues with the off brand models and even an air actuated grease gun from Lowes. All have gone in the garbage sometimes with a 1/2 of tube of grease in them. The Lincoln model is the only one that has operated with no issues, keeps on pumping when needed.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Pneumatic Zee line 100 PSI fits a 5 gal bucket from Northern Tool.

Wish that I had bought the 30 gal drum model, underestimated the amount of grease that we'd use with 3 tractors & other equipment.

 

[TFucili]

I have a Lincoln two-stage lever action that works great. Short stroke to get high pressure for stuck/clogged fittings, or long stroke for volume.

 

[Blu-meanie]

Pneumatic Zee line 100 PSI fits a 5 gal bucket from Northern Tool.

Wish that I had bought the 30 gal drum model, underestimated the amount of grease that we'd use with 3 tractors & other equipment.

Yes, the 30 gal ones worked great when I was a kid working in a gas station. Only had to burp it once. It would shoot to the pumps from inside the shop area.:-laf I need something portable though.

 

[Blu-meanie]

I'll try one of the two recommended guns, I found another one that had 7 reviews on Amazon, all gave it 5's...... Only $129! Alemite 106-SE4.

 

[The patriot]

I think mine are made by Plews......IIRC (had them forever)
I've had very little problems. The few times it gave me grief was when it was too cold out for the grease to flow.
I usually leave it somewhere in the house, or near some heat, the night before when I plan on greasing something. It makes the world of difference.
When I change ctgs, I leave it screwed into the body loosely...push the handle in all the way, pump a couple times, then tighten.
I've only had to take out the priming plug maybe one or two times in 30+ years.

Edit: Put an old worn out sock over the bottom 1/2, it'll catch drips and you'll always have a rag handy.

 

[HHhuntitall]

I've had about every model made in most brands.... a few are still in the field. I find them from time to time, and may or may not pick them up..... Regardless of brand, if it's cold, and I go to pumping too fast, they'll all air lock. If it's below about 70*, I just try to slow down on the handle. I use either Troco/Royal or RedLine brand grease, and they're pretty thick, which causes a few problems, too. The best grease guns I've had in a while have been some cheap Chinese made models that have a spring loaded vent on the top, which you can press after loading a cartridge, while pressing in on the handle, and it will vent quickly. I think these came from Walmart or Northern tool. I bought them for the hired hands, but like them enough I kept a few for myself. They suck in a toolbox, though... if they get loose, they'll ALWAYS fall on the vent, and bouncing down the highway will release a large volume of grease in your box. BAH!!

As for the oil on the side, that's the separation of the oil and soap, as I'm sure you know. Some grease does that when it sits. I've found that hanging them upside down in the holder helps keep the mess off the handle. I usually don't have an issue with any grease coming out the bottom. Maybe that's the grease I use.

 

[Capt. Methane]

Anybody else have wars with their grease guns? I've had issues since the '60's. Either they are one squirt from empty, have an air pocket, or leaking oil and grease out of the back. I end up with more grease on me, the floor, or the bench than I use on the fittings. The grease cartridges don't fit so usually I need to load the gun with a putty knife. Does anyone know of a brand or grease gun that actually works, loads easily, and is not a PITA to use?

Could be operator trouble.

Hahaha, I thought it was just me!

A quality grease gun helps-I suspect years ago I paid too much for a Snap On compact one handed grease gun-but aside from using the small tubes and needing to be refilled frequently it has given me less grief than any of the others!

 

[kcv67]

That is funny I have seen many models of grease guns fly through the air. At home I have an old cheap lubrimatic lever handle that I bought 30 years ago. On my side job we tried dewalt Lincoln battery op and they are junk I don't know the pistol grip ones that he is currently using but they last about 1 season with the swathers and bailers before they get flown through the air. Oh he uses cheap Walmart red grease. Seems to work.

 

[jhenderson]

No matter what grease gun you use the best addition for it is a Lock-N-Lube tip. They're a little expensive but I've used mine daily for the last 3 years without a failure. No falling off the fitting, no wasted grease or clean up. Even better they can be rebuilt.

 

[GrantP]

No matter what grease gun you use the best addition for it is a Lock-N-Lube tip. They're a little expensive but I've used mine daily for the last 3 years without a failure. No falling off the fitting, no wasted grease or clean up. Even better they can be rebuilt.

With that, I just ordered one. I've tried many auto store crappy tips, maybe I just needed to spend a few $. We'll see.

 

[jhenderson]

With that, I just ordered one. I've tried many auto store crappy tips, maybe I just needed to spend a few $. We'll see.

At the risk of setting a bad president, I offer my money back guarantee.If you don't like it, I'll buy it from you. I need one to replace the factory tip on my home gun.

 

[WalterJ]

Once I had been "collecting" the 12V Milwaukee tools to replace my old 9.6V Makita's, I discovered they offered a 12V Grease Gun! Wahoo. I load it with Red Line tubes (plastic) & off to the races. Frees up one hand to find the fitting & the other squeezes the trigger. Beautiful little system.

 

[GrantP]

At the risk of setting a bad president, I offer my money back guarantee.If you don't like it, I'll buy it from you. I need one to replace the factory tip on my home gun.

That's funny. No need for a guarantee, I assumed that purchase at my own risk. Hopefully grease will actually go into the ball joints instead of just blobs on top of the zerk. It arrives tomorrow.

Tell you what, I'll one up you. If I don't like it I'll send it to you free.

 

[jhenderson]

Let's split the difference. Just tell me what you think of it.

 

[GrantP]

Let's split the difference. Just tell me what you think of it.

PM me your address and you'll have a new grease tip on the way.