I'm so tired of using a manual grease gun, especially after you've twisted yourself into a pretzel to get the hose on the fitting and when you go to pump some grease, you find that your cartridge is empty. Or there is an air pocket in the tube.

So, i just bought a "Craftsman Trigger Release Pneumatic Grease Gun" ($29) and i have never used one before. My question is this: On the gun where the 1/4" air fitting screws into, the words "oil daily" is stamped there. Do you actually need to put some oil into the air fitting that goes into the gun? I will be using my grease gun about twice a month. Any suggestions or advice is welcomed.

-hooD

 

Depending on construction there is a piston with a seal in there that needs lubrication. Lube your gun once a year or so if you use it like that.

You can still have problems with air pockets and an empty gun...

 

Usually keep container of air tool oil available and give a shot regular basis. Not an authority, but don't see where it would do any harm, especially if don't intend to use for period of time. Preventive maintainence. Have found that even with the standard condensation separator a fair amount of moisture still gets thru to the air tool. In my opinion, exposure to the moisture major cause of shortening life of tool.

Anyhow, had an urge to add my $.02.
dave

 

There is a sub-section of Murphy's Law all about grease guns. If there is more than one user of the gun, no matter how many times you refill it the grease fairy will steal the grease and leave it empty for your next use. And on the hardest to reach zirks an air pocket will automatically form due to the mental apprehension placed on the gun by the user.

 

i have an old gun that i put a new tube in about a year ago.and it wouldnt pump out grease no matter what i tried to get the air pocket out.so i throughed the damn thing up in the woods next to the fence.So after about a year in the rain and snow i picked it up the other day and it worked.hahahah

 

Many times all you have to do to get rid of that air pocket and "prime the pump" is to whack it hard with a hammer/mallet or on the ground to drive the grease into the pump inlet. Just don't damage the tube threads etc.

Heat from sunlight can melt that grease and make it flow.

Murphy is everywhere!

 

daveengelson:
You said that you used "air tool oil". I'm thinking that Sears should carry this oil and that i should use only this type of oil for my grease gun. Would any other type of oil have a negative effect?

-hooD

 

Yeah, Sears, Home Depot, Lowes, some auto parts stores. Just about any place that sells air compressors or pneumatic equipment should sell the air tool oil.

 

Not sure if there is some kind of special additive to the 'air tool oil' where just any oil would not do. Believe there are some oils that have a 'rust inhibitive' ingrediant, the container i have does not indicate. Only need 2-3 drops. Read ratchet manual that suggest, if storing tool, squirt 2-3 drops and run tool just few seconds, not long, want oil to remain and not be discharged out exhaust ports. I will wrap tool in shop or paper tool to obsorb the excess oil being discharged. Not going to be constantly squirting oil into the tool, just suggest couple drops after using. Some manuals have disclaimer that if don't use proper lubricant warranty is void. In my opinion, if tool can't make it though warranty, regardless, then it was a piece of junk to begin with. Then on other hand, some manuals are not specific just indicate lubricate suggesting rust inhibitive oil. Sears would like you to use all their products, but feel as long as you use a rust inhibitive oil, Sears would not challenge. So being a person of habit, if it says use 'air tool oil', or 'jail oil', etc, then usually get what tool manual indicates.

dave
65f100 custom, styleside, 390ci 4v, 3speed o.d., p/s,p/b.
65f100, flareside, 302ci 4v, 4speed, p/s,p/b

 

A grease gun is different from the "air motor" tools like grinders, drills, or impact wrenches. Those tools use large quantities of air and should be lubricated with an in-line lubricator using air tool oil. A grease gun uses a very small amount of air and a couple of drops of almost any oil will be OK.

Air tool oil is a special blend of lubricants and solvents. Regular oils will gum up air motor type tools.

You can find directions for making an in-line air tool oiler in my gallery.

 

I went to Homedepot and talked to the guy who worked in the tool crib. He said to use one drop of oil each time i use my grease gun. The oil cost me $1.79
Thanks for all the replies. And by the way, i used my new grease gun the other day and i loved it, i wish i had bought one years ago!

-hooD