Grease Guns

[Steve_S]

Is there a grease gun that doesn't leak? Mine is one of the typical $20-30 guns you buy a Pep Boys or other fine automotive parts retailers. It leaks like crazy and I'm sick of it! Oil from the seperated grease inside the canister leaks out the front and back and gets all over everything. It ruined a manual already.

Any recommendations for a decent gun at a reasonable price that can still fit into cramped spaces?

 

[kartracer55]

Get one with a flex hose... that usually takes care of that problem. Got lincoln and plews, no problems with leaking, never seen that before


Jim

 

[Steve_S]

It doesn't just leak out of the front, it leaks out the rear filler area mostly. Maybe I should hang the stupid thing nose down when not in use?

 

[kartracer55]

Is it a pump type or a gun? Just lay the pumps down, hang the gun from the handle, never had a problem. What brand are yours?

Jim

 

[Fast Orange]

It's not necessarilly a problem with the gun-
Normal petroleum based greases will not separate ond leak some of the thinner oily components out of the gun.However,it's been my experience that certain high moly content and synthetic greases will "ooze" an oily substance out of the pullback rod hole and the canister to pump housing junction.There's really nothing wrong with the gun,nor has the grease gone bad.I have 3 guns in my shop,1 with Mobil 1,1 with conventional grease and 1 with a high moly content grease.I built a sheetmetal "box" that the guns hang in,catching the "oil" that seeps out of the guns.Another way to contain the mess would be a large "zip-lock" type bag.

George

 

[Steve_S]

I'm using regular ol' grease, not synthetic. It looks like this one:

 

[Gregdoo]

I agree that it might not be the gun. I've seen most leak, depending on the temperature it is stored at and the type of lubricant. I've had non-synthetic, "regular" lube separate after a period of no use. I ended up taking an empty tin can, like a soup can, and poking two holes in the top, 180 degrees apart and connecting a wire to them. I hang the grease gun and then slip the drip can under the plunger end with the wire holding it in place. The only problem with this is that after a long period, the grease settles and the grease gun loses it's "prime".

All I find when laying it down is that you get a longer puddle and a bigger mess.

I use Lincoln and Plews, regular and "mini-cartridge", with flex hoses and straight pipe. All have leaked in warm temps.

 

[Fast Orange]

How hot is it where you keep your g/g? Direct sunlight? I've had regular chassis grease sparate when kept in 100+ degree temps ,but not at normal temps.
For what it's worth,I use a Lincoln air-powered gun for regular grease(Valvoline Hi-Temp) and Lincoln pistol-grip manual guns for the good stuff.
Try wrapping a Oil-Sorb towel around the gun for storage. That's what I keep in the bottom of my g/g box.

George

 

[Rickster]

I keep mine in a long green plastic container from Rubbermade that was originally for storing celery I think. Keep several layers of cardboard in the bottom to soak up the oil.

 

[eschoendorff]

All of the guns I have ever used leaked.l My current gun is an older Lincoln. I just store it in an oil catch pan so that the nose is in the pan and the **** of the gun sits on the rim. No problems so far. Oh, and it has M1 in it, FWIW...

 

[Steve_S]

My gun stays in a climate-controleld garage, but it sounds like it's just gonna leak no matter what. At least I asked before buying a "better" one. Thanks!

 

[Uncle Buck]

Lincoln brand, yes, yes, I store my guns nose down in an old coffee can with a couple a rags in the bottom. I think they leak, but never really paid much attention.

 

[slowride66]

I have assortment of grease guns

The Best one is the Pistol Grip this way I don't need 3 hands to operate it
Then the lever type for Heavy Equipment to force a clogged pin

I inter change the flex and hard tubes
and some mini's for weird areas

The Biggest POS is the AIR powered one its got no balls it wouldn't even shoot pro mower spindles!!

anyone get one of those "cordless Lincolns?"

Sorry My POINT IS I keep them all in one plastic tool box and keep the out side of it wiped down

depending on use dictates how much they get cleaned

hope this helps.


SR66

 

[Dwzamberlan]

Re: Grease Guns-storage

I keep getting air in my hand held, pistol grip, grease gun. Could it be the way I am storing it? When done with the gun, I pull the plunger all the way to the **** of the tube, lock it in place and lay the gun down in its storage place. Should I NOT pull the plunger back and lock it? Or just let the plunger stay in its final position after greasing the last fitting? It is frustrating when trying to grease a few pieces of machinery and then no grease flows because of air in the gun.
Dwzamberlan

 

[tomshep]

Quit pulling the plunger. You pull the plunger when changing cartridges only.

Mine does the same. I use Mobil 1 synthetic and it seems to be worse. I just switched back to a more basic moly based Valvoline grease.

I also just bought this, haven't installed it yet.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HHI-00002/

For $15 it is worth it if it works.

Tom

 

[racer1735]

I have had three grease over the past 20 years, both American made and overseas, and use a flexible hose (pistol grip). I use Mobil 1 synthetic grease, and have for years. And EACH ONE of these guns has leaked. some out the top, but most around where the plunger enters the case. I wrap a paper towl around the end of the case and cover it with a small sandwhich bag to catch the stuff that oozes out. Drives me nuts! It stays hung in my garage, which rarely gets above 90 degrees. So its not the quality of grease that is contributing to this.

 

[wreckercologist]

Don't have any problems with the 12V LI-ion Milwaukee's at work leaking, but they don't sit around. Everyday they are used. Worse part of them is the coworkers get just as much grease stuck to the outside of the gun as they do inside whatever they are greasing. Freakin' pigs and their slop!

 

[NUTTSGT]

I believe my grease gun is a Lincoln and it leaks. I made a grease gun holder to hold mine. It's PVC and I stuffed a blue shop towel in the bottom to soak up the oily oozing matter. If it gets too nasty, I can pull it out, toss it in the woodburner and put a new clean one in.