Grease gun

[threeputt]

This is a messy subject I have had a lever type grease gun for several years and it always has worked great. I tried to force a spindle fitting to take grease and I guess I messed it up. Not sure if thats what did it or not but it won't work.
I probably have not used this thing 10 times. I have tried to bleed it and all I am doing is making a big mess.
Any suggestions on a good one to buy ? lever type is the one I always liked better.
I have just about give up on the one I have now even though it still looks new. I am thinking maybe I blew the pump seal out ? Not sure. All I know I can't get it to pump grease.
Nothing like something as simple as this to whip me.

 

[driz]

It’s probably an air pocket. First check the spring is pushing down and not locked back. Try pushing on plunger while working the lever. Once it catches you’ll be back in business. If that fails you may have to open it up and get the air pocket out of there, messy[emoji13]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[C lectric]

I've had an air pocket interfere with the priming after installing a new cartridge.

Pull the rod back and lock it into the piston. Then put pressure on it and pump the handle.
That should force the air out the hose. Once the little pump grabs grease it will finish the purge itself.

The other catch I've had was the cardboard tube the grease is held in curled it's edge preventing the piston from being able to move.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Remove the FITTING and soak it in Lacquer thinner, blow it out until it bypasses the ball, put it back and try it again....

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Maybe the zerk was damaged and nothing to do with the gun.

 

[threeputt]

Maybe the zerk was damaged and nothing to do with the gun.

It was good. I even swapped the right to left and still couldn't get it to take grease.
Now I can't get it to pump. Again I am not sure if this caused the problem or not. All I know is I went to use it yesterday on my shop lawnmower and it wouldn't work. I really don't want to deal with all this grease mess. I may just go buy a new one.
I have changed hundreds of these things and only have issues a few times. This one has 99.99 % whopped me

 

[threeputt]

I've had an air pocket interfere with the priming after installing a new cartridge.

Pull the rod back and lock it into the piston. Then put pressure on it and pump the handle.
That should force the air out the hose. Once the little pump grabs grease it will finish the purge itself.

The other catch I've had was the cardboard tube the grease is held in curled it's edge preventing the piston from being able to move.

Not sure I understand what you are telling me. Lock it back and put rod in slot that holds it while you replace with refill ? Also no cardboard is curled.

 

[Chucktin]

You were right the first time. Unless the wretched thing is "gold plated" dump it and start again. HF has cheapies, I has a smallish one and it uses a small cartridge that I've had bout 10 years now, I use it sooo much[emoji3061].

 

[threeputt]

You were right the first time. Unless the wretched thing is "gold plated" dump it and start again. HF has cheapies, I has a smallish one and it uses a small cartridge that I've had bout 10 years now, I use it sooo much[emoji3061].

Its dumped. I got covered with red grease this afternoon after trying one more time to make it work.
I have been loading tubes of grease in these things for most of my life and this stupid thing has beat me. I made sure I won't pick it up again. I tapped it lightly with a sledge hammer

 

[MileHighRover]

Don't cheap out on a grease gun. Read the thread about high pressure oil/grease injection injuries. Posted recently. Really eye opening.

 

[MileHighRover]

Found it.

Fluid Injection Injury Dangers

 

[Tallpilot]

These are actually decent. Unless you are doing enough lubing to justify a battery operated model just throw a Lock N Lube on this and go to town.
https://www.harborfreight.com/Professional-Pistol-Grip-Grease-Gun-64381.html

 

[Wamsutta]

Lincoln 1133 is what I recommend, although it's not the lever type. It's the pistol grip type. You need three hands with the lever type. One hand to hold the hose on the zerk, and the other two hands to pump the lever.

 

[threeputt]

Lincoln 1133 is what I recommend, although it's not the lever type. It's the pistol grip type. You need three hands with the lever type. One hand to hold the hose on the zerk, and the other two hands to pump the lever.

I am tried to pistol grip ones and didn't like them. Maybe because of arthritis so I bought the Lincoln 1147 Heavy Duty Lever-Action . Thanks

 

[threeputt]

These are actually decent. Unless you are doing enough lubing to justify a battery operated model just throw a Lock N Lube on this and go to town.
https://www.harborfreight.com/Professional-Pistol-Grip-Grease-Gun-64381.html

For some reason I just don't most trust anything HF sells. I do appreciate your suggestion and I am sure they sell somethings that are good. I always say I will never go back but on occasion I do have to buy a one or two use item. I have returned more things than I kept from them.

 

[4miller1]

Ive found that hanging the grease gun hose end down helps a lot with the loosing prime and dripping problem.

 

[sberry]

I have used dozens of grease guns. You didnt break or wear it out. I have had them problematic but it was after LOTS of use. When this happens unscrew the hose or pipe, give it a pump. Often simply unscrewing the pipe releases trapped air at the top.
I should have mine stored upside down but this is so easy. I normally line the can with bag.

 

[threeputt]

This Lincoln model 1147 works great. No trouble loading the tube at all . I would recommend it highly . Grease guns are something I don't use often but when I do I want it to work. A++ on the Lincoln

 

[Tallpilot]

For some reason I just don't most trust anything HF sells. I do appreciate your suggestion and I am sure they sell somethings that are good. I always say I will never go back but on occasion I do have to buy a one or two use item. I have returned more things than I kept from them.

I understand; there is a lot of junk in there. When Lincoln 1147s were made in the USA I would have recommended them. Now they are made in India just like the 'Holt Industries.'

 

[Maddog1337]

This is a messy subject I have had a lever type grease gun for several years and it always has worked great. I tried to force a spindle fitting to take grease and I guess I messed it up. Not sure if thats what did it or not but it won't work.
I probably have not used this thing 10 times. I have tried to bleed it and all I am doing is making a big mess.
Any suggestions on a good one to buy ? lever type is the one I always liked better.
I have just about give up on the one I have now even though it still looks new. I am thinking maybe I blew the pump seal out ? Not sure. All I know I can't get it to pump grease.
Nothing like something as simple as this to whip me.

I bought a Macnaught K32, really nicely made. Didn't spend forever looking, but one of the only grease guns I could find made in a first world country. Made in Australia. Hose made in Germany.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FNCMLTB/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[threeputt]

I understand; there is a lot of junk in there. When Lincoln 1147s were made in the USA I would have recommended them. Now they are made in India just like the 'Holt Industries.'

Your opinion is welcome but I don't at all agree with you. The one I received is really good. Heck, its just a grease gun which I doubt I will use three times in a year.

 

[C lectric]

Not sure I understand what you are telling me. Lock it back and put rod in slot that holds it while you replace with refill ? Also no cardboard is curled.

Missed your question. Hope you figured what I meant by now.

On the end cap opposite the hose end there is a slotted hole for the piston rod to go through. Pull back the piston rod all the way and you will/should see a groove cut into the rod. Push the rod into that slot and you have now locked the piston fully retracted.

You may not have a curled cardboard end of the grease tube but they can and do curl [usually from being dropped] and prevent the piston from following as the grease is pumped out. If the piston cannot follow there is no force to move the grease. Several times I have had to pull the cartridge and carefully cut the damage away. SHARP BLADE.

Lots of the new cartridges are plastic so not particularly prone to that BUT nonetheless it can happen.