Grease gun
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AirForceVet
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 598
Likes: 121
From: Spotsylvania,Virginia
Grease gun
I've had numerous grease guns in the past, the most recent was a mini grease gun, it was junk. What is a good all around grease gun that is worth what you pay for? How old is the grease gun that you are using?
Last edited by 55F250; Jul 18, 2025 at 05:19 PM. Reason: add question
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,288
Likes: 1,052
From: NM
I gave up on the "mini" cartridge types, now I use a full-size cartridge type with a Lock-n-Lube. The gun is a pistol-grip type like below:
https://www.harborfreight.com/pistol...gun-70702.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/pistol...gun-70702.html
Knuckle Bandage Sales Rep
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 1,237
From: Maine
I've cursed and swore at my grease guns for years. Have owned about five of them and still have three. The one that seems to work the best is a mini-cartidge style that was bought cheap from Carquest about 10 years ago. I still swear at it on occasion, but mostly because the cartridges have so little actual product in them. They are only filled about 70% maybe less. Seems it takes hitting about four Zerk fittings and the tube is used up. But they will still have grease inside, just not enough to build up pressure. I then use a wooden dowel to scoop out the remaining grease and I put it in a can. The can grease is then used with a paintbrush to slather on things in general. I do agree with what Ishort said about the Lock N Lubes...nice, but they don't always fit especially on U-Joints.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,873
Likes: 3,113
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Both of my sons have Milwaukee battery operated grease gun. They're expensive but they work great. I haven't bought one myself because I'd rarely use it but they make the job a lot easier. The few times I need one I just barrow one from one of them. One son is a farmer with a small fleet of tractors and implements, the other son has a dump truck, excavator, skid loader and other equipment. They keep their guns working.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 351
From: Mandan, ND
We have the Milwaukees at work. They get abused, but sure get a lot of life out of them. Batteries don’t last long when it’s below zero and grease is cold.
i have a couple my dad bought decades ago, manual type. Foolproof.
i have a couple my dad bought decades ago, manual type. Foolproof.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 506
From: clinton,tn
I too want to say the lock n lube fitting is a game changer. I use one on my old manual gun and my air powered gun
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 248
Likes: 45
From: Iowa
I have both battery and manual. Does anyone know a trick to fill small cartridge grease guns with my battery gun. The large cartridges are cheap compared to the small ones.
Thanks
Thanks
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 336
From: Bakersfield, CA
Hey look at that, other people have bad luck with grease guns too....?
I buy used grease guns at a local flea market until I find one that works--I have one that work and 2-3 others that don't.
I just can't commit the money for any electric one.
I buy used grease guns at a local flea market until I find one that works--I have one that work and 2-3 others that don't.
I just can't commit the money for any electric one.
Thread Starter
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AirForceVet
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 598
Likes: 121
From: Spotsylvania,Virginia
Seems like everyone has had the same issues that I have had, the last one (mini) didn't last more than two uses. All of the grease came out the end, Like pineconeford said, the cartridge for the mini is only half full new. I need a good grease gun for my old truck and other equipment that requires grease via a zerk fitting. The last full size grease gun I owned lasted for a while then it started starving for grease even though it had plenty, ended up banging on it to get the grease to move toward the pump. Thanks for the input, guess they just don't make things to last anymore.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 289
Likes: 127
From: Langley, BC
I never met a grease gun I liked for more than a few uses. The bane of my existence! I actually get pretty angry thinking about the wasted time, money and effort. They are the worst case of planned obsolescence there is. I'm pretty much convinced it's a CCP plot to sap our productivity.
Knuckle Bandage Sales Rep
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 1,237
From: Maine
I also learned that you cannot effectively refill a mini-tube with grease from a larger less expensive tube. Any air void no matter how small will stop the flow and begin the cussing and swearing that would make a sailor blush.
Any trying to use that bleed screw just results in a messy screwdriver, grease on the floor, your pants and the wall.
Any trying to use that bleed screw just results in a messy screwdriver, grease on the floor, your pants and the wall.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 289
Likes: 127
From: Langley, BC
You might find some interest if you take a picture or two and post it here. Sounds novel. Does it work? That wouldn't surprise me since Ford never built anything he didn't intend to last. Just wasn't in his nature.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 248
Likes: 45
From: Iowa
I suceeded in refilling the small tubes. Remove tube and stand up on bench. I took a plastic cap from a water bottle and drilled a 1/4" hole in it, I put a spare 1/4" zerk thru hole and just used a 1/4" nut and tightened it good , threads are different but worked. I put the zerk in my battery gun and put gizmo down in tube and filled and pulled up slowly. I have 3 small cartridge guns so I can wait till all are empty to fill them.I also find the plunger doesn't always want to go up the tube, so I have the plunger extended and start the tube on it, then pull the plunger back and it will suck the tube down., then lock it so you can sccrew gun togeather. Hope this helps.
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