Frustrated with Grease Guns

[kopper_bass]

OK,
I'm trying to do some winter maintenance and need to just give a shot or two of grease on the bearing buddies. Also installed a new bearing buddy, so i needed to pressurize it a bit with some grease.

So, how come it seems impossible to get a reliable grease gun to use and carry along in the truck when pulling my boat? I have had the large and the mini-size, yet everyone of them never seems to work properly, all the time. They work once or so, but then go bad as they get grease past the pusher plunger/seal. Once that happens, you can never get the dang gun to work properly again, no matter how much you clean it out.

now granted, i always tend to buy the cheap brands they have at auto-parts stores, or west marine, but they should still work, right?

Does anyone have any recommendations?

What's the proper use of a grease gun anyway? once you install the cartridge, scew on the top, and then release the piston rod, do you leave it constantly in this loaded position, or should i pull back the rod and lock it again, once i use it?

Peace,

Kopper_Bass

[brambo0311]

I take off the pressure just slightly. But I always keep an extra gun and tube handy. I think its just one of those things that never work right. When I load it up I try to use the whole tube, do the truck and wifes van, porch swing, trailer. Then clean it out. When it under pressure with the spring pushing on the tube eventualy the greese will slip by the gasket. I bet the rod on yours goes all the way down and the greese is behind the gasket. Then you try to fix it and its a big mess. Its just the nature of the beast happens everytime I let it sit.

[i am ez]

I use grease guns all the time,, and they are still a pain.. what I would suggest is to buy the minni.. then completley remove the cartridge each time.. there is no way in hell a grease gun is gonna hold the grease under pressure for weeks without use.. it will for sure leak by.. good luck

[Andy Giannini]

I have literally loaded hundreds if not thousands of grease cartridges in grease guns. At least 27 years now.

To get it to prime, (When you change cartridges) tighten the top which also has the handle, and pump. That really gets things started but then you need to unscrew the top about one half turn to help get rid of any air, and pump again about ten times or so. Once you have the grease primed, and the air out, go ahead and screw the top on tightly (the part with the handle.) You are done!

I can show you in far less time than it takes to read this.

The best gun for my money has always been a Lincon. You should also get a whip hose, and for certain a Lincon grease head that goes on the end. Of course a new gun comes with one.

Believe it or not, even cheapo guns can get it done, and half worn out ones. You just have to prime it properly, or reprime if something weird happens. Cold temps make greasing with guns a booger, and priming them as well. A guy will do much better with room temp grease than with really cold stuff left outside.

I have never had an entire grease gun discharge past the piston, just a little grease during hot weather, and it comes out when you pull the rod back. So in a sense, the guns are self cleaning, as you change cartridges. I think the problem here is loss of prime.

I leave my grease guns cocked and locked 24/7 365 days of the year. (I always leave them ready to use, just like they were. No special storage procedure like relieving pressure etc. I just check prime when I pick it up. If it doesn't prime its empty!)

.02 A.G.

[Team Fugowee]

I agree with Andy. If you buy a good one it will last a life time. A new whip hose and tip every once in a while. The Lincoln I have is at least 35 years old.

[kopper_bass]

Thanks Andy for that description, i will give it a try.

Kopper_Bass

[kopper_bass]

Thanks Guys for all the info. and confirmation that its not just me that ends up in this mess. you described it exactly.

Cheers,

Kopper_Bass