grease gun woes

[Echelon]

is there some kind of secret to operating a grease gun im missing? everytime i go to use one of these things it always seems to stop pumping when i know theres grease in it.

mine has some type of a bleeder valve-like thing on it but i cant seem to get it to help any either. any tips i may have missed would be great with this thing, its driving me mad.
thx,
-mike

[Lynden-Jeff]

MY bleeder valvue poped off and all the greese came out that little hole every time I pumped. Im starting to think all grease guns and peices of Sh*t.

Jeff

[Roger]

Your grease gun must have an air pocket. I presume you are moving the lever (if a lever action gun), but are not getting any grease. You need to get the air pocket out. How to do it on your gun, I don't think we can answer without more information.

I had a cheap Plew gun for many years and got frustrated with it. The issue was difficulty in getting a new cartridge installed without getting grease all over me, the floor, and whatever else was in the vicinity. Last Winter, I bought this one:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200309753_200309753

I don't use mine very much to warrant a pnuematic gun, or an electric one with a battery cartridge. This lever action gun has worked great for me. It is much better to load than the cheaper Plew gun. But, it too will have an air pocket after reloading sometimes. When it does, sometimes numerous pumps will get rid of the air, but usually, I need to unscrew the head until nearly coming off the threads and then pump the plunger a few times. The lever action will probably start to pump grease at that point. This one has a valve on the head, but I've never been able to successfully bleed an air pocket with the valve.

I think Plew makes a comparable model to this Lincoln gun.

[leadarrows]

I always use the one handed Pistol Grip ones from Tractor Supply. I have only had to buy two in twenty years so I think I can vouch for them.
http://www.mytscstore.com/detail.asp?pcID=3&paID=1026&sonID=757&productID=8878

OH and I agree it sound like you have an air bubble trapped.

[horizonmowing]

i hate greese guns, what a damn mess and never itworks right. But i got mine from home depot, so what should i expect

[Jason Rose]

Yep, when u change the cartrige you get slimed... Best trick I found is to take some of the leftover grease out of the old empty one and use it to "top off" the new one once you have it slid in place. Get it FULL, almost kind of heaping and smooth and THEN screw the top back on. Since I started doing mine that way Iv'e not had any problems with getting it to GO. (hope that makes any sence!) Also, since the grease is suck a PITA to clean up, 1. work OVER the trash can when re-loading, and 2. get a box of latex gloves and slap on a pair when you re-load. No, i'm not afraid of some grease but there's a difference between getting some on you while working and having to dig around in it while loading the grease gun. If I was packin some bearings I'd expect to get greasy, but usually I'm not in the mood for that much of a cleaning when I'm in the middle of greasing the mower.

[Restrorob]

Funny this subject came up....I bought a gun off the matco tool truck 18 yrs. ago and never had any problem at all with it. A month ago I decided to up-grade to a new one, I bought one off the snap-on truck that cost $68 and change. I have spent more time trying to keep that dam thing primed than I have pumping the handle. I told the guy a week later and he said try this try that, Well it doesn't take a rocket scientist to operate a grease gun so after playing with it for a freakin half hour Friday trying to grease a commercial guy's unit while waiting I decided this snap-on guy was gonna eat this gun.

Well, He pulled in today and got a ear full....He took it and said he would play with it and get back with me, I told him I was going to NAPA and get one of their $28 guns.
If nothing is done about it I will tell him not to bother stopping anymore cuz he is not getting another dime out of me.

[pugs]

What grease are you using?

We have some of this Kenda Super Blue stuff that just plain sucks. Its fine in the summer, but when the temperature drops the guns wont pump it. The grease like seperates into a leaky/liquid component and a very sticky goo like solid component. Glad we only have a little of it left.

We really dont use the grease guns too much though. We have a couple of air operated ones on drums. They dont run out quite as fast ;)

[MowerMoney]

I have the same problem with mine. When that happens, I unscrew the lever end just a turn or 2, pump the handle till grease starts to flow, then tighten it back up. Seems to work for me. (until I put in a new cartridge again)

[RockSet N' Grade]

Here's how I do it.....and it works for me.
Take old cartridge out. Pull extension lever back all the way. Take off bottom cap of grease cartridge. Insert into gun. Remove top tube cover. (Now the trick) Take screw top and just start the top on the threads and release the plunger to exert pressure......finish tightening up the grease gun top. This little method seems to work at releasing the air and getting grease to flow immediately. Rarely does this little system fail on my electric grease gun or my manuel hand guns.
For fun, I let my crew guys replace the tubes when they run out.....it drives these guys crazy 'cause they can't get it to work even after 30 or so minutes of frustration.....My little method is clean, simple and it works more times than not.......

[leadarrows]

Here's how I do it.....and it works for me.
Take old cartridge out. Pull extension lever back all the way. Take off bottom cap of grease cartridge. Insert into gun. Remove top tube cover. (Now the trick) Take screw top and just start the top on the threads and release the plunger to exert pressure......finish tightening up the grease gun top. This little method seems to work at releasing the air and getting grease to flow immediately. Rarely does this little system fail on my electric grease gun or my manuel hand guns.
For fun, I let my crew guys replace the tubes when they run out.....it drives these guys crazy 'cause they can't get it to work even after 30 or so minutes of frustration.....My little method is clean, simple and it works more times than not.......
That would be because your doing it right. :)

[Restrorob]

I have tried every method imaginable and posted so far with pain in the azz results, Mine stops after primed and through out a whole tube of grease nearly every tube, I even tried 3 other brands of grease and still makes no difference. :angry:

[RockSet N' Grade]

Had an old-time excavator watch me and laugh for a couple days at me fighting the grease gun....he finally took mercy and showed me the real deal....I don't share it often when I see it happening 'cause its too much fun.....

[RockSet N' Grade]

Restorrob.....try it again and be real concious about just screwing the top in to catch the threads......let the plunger off as soon as the threads are caught and then finish screwing in the top......it should work just fine

[Restrorob]

Restorrob.....try it again and be real concious about just screwing the top in to catch the threads......let the plunger off as soon as the threads are caught and then finish screwing in the top......it should work just fine

I tried that, If you spin the rod 1/4 turn after releasing it that will cause it to hook the plunger where the rod won't slide in. With it hooked like that and only 2 or 3 threads screwed in putting full body weight on the rod still doesn't work.
I believe there has to be a knick in a pump o-ring or something causing it not to pump or stay primed.

[tinman]

get an air grease gun. No problems like I had with the hated old style

[twj721]

sure sound like a lot of screwing going on and plenty of lube to go with it LOL

[Echelon]

wow, i see im not the only one! well, now ive got something new to try with that thing.
i just got mine at napa. it was their best one. im using a general purpose grease in it and when i loaded it it worked fine. its just midway through the tube and for seemingly no reason it just stopped pumping. so does that mean the air pocket came from in the grease tube?

alright, thanks again for your replies.

[Jim@MilkyWay]

I have tried every method imaginable and posted so far with pain in the azz results, :angry:....Hi guys! I am with Rob on this as well.
Sorry I have not been posting lately; I had not one, but _two_ new toys fall into my lap! I was not even looking for either at the time. A new _BIG_ telescope, and a 'new' 30 year old KZ1000. I have been re-engineering stuff on them ever since.

At last count, I have had 137-1/2 miserable grease guns!
Every time I get a new one I think to myself, "self; there is no way I could have gotten another bad gun."
Soooo,,, the most gratifying moment I have had in a long time is when, several months ago, I wrapped one around a tree!!
. Repeatedly!! _YES_!!!
. Then, I got one from my deceased Dad's tool collection, pistol type no less, brought it home, thinking all the while, "_Now I've got a good one! No way I could have gotten another bad gun!"
Used it for one job, put a little pressure on the handle, as I had a tight fitting shaft to lube, and it never worked again.
I am not making this up folks. Last week, back over to my Dad's collection, I found a pneumatic model resulting in the exclamation, "eureka". Then, thinking to myself, "No way I could get another bad gun; this time I've got a good one." Brought it home in a sack, took sack out of my car and set it in garage for a few days. I went out two nights ago and wanted to have a look at it. I put my hand into sack, and said " what the f%$k". I pulled out one piece then the other. The piston chamber won't even stay in the gun. No foolin'. The threads are not stripped, it is just cheap junk!
However, as I am just a little bit stubborn, I decided, a while back to dissect one, put it under a microscope, figure out where the weak link is that failed on the pistol grip model, re-engineer it from the ground up, and see what happens. It has worked flawlessly, (so far). When I did this it was in bush hogging season, so it got a pretty good work out at the time.

[Echelon]

When I did this

so what did you do again?

[Jason Rose]

After all this, I have concluded that I must be one lucky SOB... lol! Iv'e never had so many problems as all the rest of you guys. That gun I have must be GREAT!

[MowerMedic77]

I follow the same procedure as RockSet and Rob with my air powered grease gun the only difference is I have to take the hose off the grease gun( I leave it just loose enough so no tools needed) once the new cartridge is in I hit the trigger and when grease comes out from the gun I reinstall my hose and then no problems clears the tube completely just can't get it to purge that first bit with the hose installed:confused: but this has been working so I am not messing with the setup:)

[steve45]

I've had a lot of problems with grease guns over the years, too. I think my biggest problem is that the gun doesn't get used much, only a couple of times per year. The grease tends to separate, which makes it harder to pump. The type of grease makes a difference. I, too, release the plunger just after the threads engage, but still have problems. I sometimes pound the gun upside down on a wooden block to get grease up into the head.

[Jim@MilkyWay]

....When I did this....
so what did you do again?In your post, my "when I did this..." quote, simply refers to me having re-engineered the gun I now use. What I think you want to know however, is what I actually found wrong with the gun. I cleaned superficial rust and residue from the check ball and buffed the seat for said check ball in the pump. This keeps it from leaking when not in use. Next, I filed a micro bevel on the front of the plunger/pump rod to help assure the rod does not score/gall the pump cylinder. Then, most importantly I ground, filed and did what ever was necessary to smooth and align the pump handle and hinge points, all four of them, and put washers on both sides of those chintzy little hinges. The thing that was actually keeping it from pumping smoothly was that the little rivet heads had galled the sides of the handle hinges, therby preventing the pump rod from retracting, at all! Finally, I put the handle assembly back together with bolts and nylon insert lock nuts instead of rivets, in case I need to redo it all again in the near future, because, to be perfectly honest, I did not think it would _EVER_ end up working as slick as it does now, what with all the bull stuff I had suffered.

[Jim@MilkyWay]

After all this, I have concluded that I must be one lucky SOB... lol! Iv'e never had so many problems as all the rest of you guys. That gun I have must be GREAT!You are not just whistling Dixie!
You have indeed been blessed exceedingly. I apparently have, in every case gotten junk for guns that are unreliable, till now, (cross my heart and hope not to cry) Not only have the guns apparently been crap, but I have even broken the zerk balls where they neck down because the nipple would not release. Either that or they would not seal on the zerk, no matter what I did thereby allowing grease to ooze everywhere except into the joint. I have had to take stress pills in mass and I get anxiety attacks when lube time comes around. Of coarse things would be different if I were blessed with octopus tentacles for arms so I could hold everything where it needs to be, while turning this a little that way, and that a little this way, while changing the angle on the dangle, picking my nose, and scratching my nuts all at the same time! Man,,, I am stressed!!;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)

Sorry for the delay, I had to go take a pill just from reliving it all. Do any of you guys take stress pills? I find Oreos and milk does a good job.
I have discussed this, the grease guns, not the relationship between stress and Oreos, with more than a few people over the years but never have I gotten a report that even comes close to my nightmarish experiences. I think I should get rich, buy new stuff and then replace everything with more new stuff whenever it needs maintenance.
Wow,,, Man, I sure do feel better now!

[Restrorob]

That gun I have must be GREAT!


OOOK Jason, Tell me......What brand gun do you have and where did you get it ??? Money is no option for a gun that will work !!!


And Jimbo....After reading your post....I feel _much_ better now. :waving:

[Jim@MilkyWay]

OOOK Jason, Tell me......What brand gun do you have and where did you get it ??? Money is no option for a gun that will work !!! "Money is no obstacle". I'll sell you mine! It will work for you from now until forever.

[Jim@MilkyWay]

Whoops.
Forgot something. This gun will now last 20 years. I'll let you have it for the very low price of $20US, per year, for twenty years, paid in advance.:usflag:
Just give me a call at BR-549 so we can set up the transaction.

[Restrorob]

You got a deal there Jimbo.....BUT....I keep getting this damn car lot at that number. :dizzy:

[Jim@MilkyWay]

You got a deal there Jimbo.....BUT....I keep getting this damn car lot at that number. :dizzy:It must be your phone. Keep trying till you get it write.

[ChadsLawn]

I have 1 (lever style) I got from Discount(Advanced) about 6 yrs ago. Ive never had a problem with it. When its empty, I pull the t handle all the way out. Then unscrew the end with the lever on it. Pull the empty tube out, wipe the threads clean insert new tube. Screw the lever side on then push t handle back in tube. Pump lever a over garbage can till grease comes out. WaaLaa all done.