Grease Gun Dilemma!

Dale1995 · Jan 14, 2009

Maybe some of you out there can offer some knowledge on different types and brands of grease guns, After spending some time looking on line, I have come to the conclusion that all grease guns are not the same, why is it that some cost $20.00 and others can cost as much as $150.00. I am looking for a good quality gun. My most recent one was always hard to prime whenever you installed a new cartridge of grease. I finally gave up on it and heaved it into the garbage can. What have you guys been using? What would you suggest. Thanks

Ductape · Jan 14, 2009

I use an old Lincold lever type, inherited from my dad when he passed. It works great, i just wish that third arm growing out of my forehead from talking on the cell phone would grow faster. Too often i need one hand to hold the end straight on the zerk, one hand to hold the gun..... and one hand to pump it. I've had other guns..... the pistol grip type i've never felt have enough oomph to push trhough crusty fittings. I've thrown two pneumatics in the trash they were so crappy. I aspire to own a new 14.4 volt Lincoln re-chargeable soon.

kevinj · Jan 14, 2009

Dale1995 said:
Maybe some of you out there can offer some knowledge on different types and brands of grease guns, After spending some time looking on line, I have come to the conclusion that all grease guns are not the same, why is it that some cost $20.00 and others can cost as much as $150.00. I am looking for a good quality gun. My most recent one was always hard to prime whenever you installed a new cartridge of grease. I finally gave up on it and heaved it into the garbage can. What have you guys been using? What would you suggest. Thanks

My best grease guns are 20 year old Lincolns. I have a couple cheapies that work well too.

DanD78 · Jan 14, 2009

Lincoln pistol grip with a flex hose is my favorite.

Dan

Scooby074 · Jan 14, 2009

Lincoln 1134 Pistol has been very good.

There was a pretty good discussion here http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/131945-i-hate-grease-guns.html

redharley · Jan 14, 2009

We have used many different kinds at the shop I work for if your looking for a hand gun stay with the pistol grip style,they are easier to hold on fitting requiring presure to get grease to go in.A flexiable hose is a must, a good coupler most likly not the one that came with gun they are poor at best.We have good luck with NAPA gun's the Red one's expect to pay about $35 for the gun,$8-12 for a good end.Use good quality tube's of grease.When inserting new tube do not screw barrel tight before releasing handle this will allow air to escape then tighten barrel, should not take to many pumps for grease to come.I've most likly loaded several hundred or thousand's of these tube's with out much problem once you get te hang of it.Ive use'd cordless guns there ok if you need a lot of grease in one fitting but most of the time I'll grab that hand gun for as many fitting as most home owner's are doing for sure.A lot less weight for sure,but if price is not an issue nothing wrong with the lincoln cordless except when I grab the one in the shop batt's are often dead from last use.Good greasing will save you money down the road so whatever you buy spendwhat your pocketbook allows and do it often.

Wayne County Hose · Jan 15, 2009

At my old job. I used to run about a case of grease a week through a grease gun. I'll take the Lincoln pistol grip any day. The only problem I ever had with them is the return spring for the lever breaking then they are worthless.

I had a method to priming them that almost never failed me. I would install the new grease tube, and screw the gun together but only by a thread or two. Then, release the plunger. Then, as I gave the lower half a turn with one hand, I would pump the lever with the other, repeating this process until the bottom part was screwed all the way on. I rarely had to fight with priming a gun that way.

CaptPat · Jan 15, 2009

14 Volt Lincoln Rechargable

Farmerford · Jan 15, 2009

I am with Wayne County Hose. My primary gun is a Lincoln pistol grip with a flex hose. It has plenty of pressure for 90% of the fittings. I also have a Lincoln lever action with a rigid pipe spout when extra pressure is needed. They were about $40 each. Then add a "heavy duty" coupler. McMaster Carr has good ones for $10-12.

The best grease for pins and bushings and slow speed anti-friction bearings is 5% moly from Caterpillar and 3% moly from John Deere and the price is competitive in each case. I also use it in bronze bushings, although some recommend against it because the active sulfur in the moly disulfide may react with the yellow metals.

I keep a third Lincoln piston grip gun with high quality non-moly grease for trailer wheel bearings since some knowledgeable folks think the hard film produced by moly may break up and produce a "sludge" that impedes the rolling elements.

For what its worth, I also keep a fourth gun filled with anti-seize which is available from McMaster Carr in 14oz tubes. The spout has been replaced with a needle (also from MMC). It is a lot less messy than the tubes or brush cans, but I just may be a klutz.