Grease Guns - they are a mystery !

macabethiel · 02-12-2016, 12:10

Well today decided the drive gates could do with greasing and the bottom arms have nice standard nipples that are easy to reach.

Put a new cartridge in my Hilka Mini Grease Gun and removed the metal cover seal. Inserted cartridge into casing with the plunger fully back, screwed it into the head of the gun.

After some pumping nothing came out ? Released the little lever and the plunger pushed in all the way. Funny thought I should it not have just gone in partway ? Tried pumping it using the plunger. No grease came out ?

Unscrewed head and of course out comes the cartridge and a load of grease all over my hands. Unable to screw back in. Every time I pulled back the plunger and locked it out in the course of screwing the head back on I caught the little catch and it all came out again.

After putting in some extra grease into the cartridge from my Tub of Grease managed to get it back together again. Now it suddenly works just fine and greased the said gates.

I now have grease up to my elbows, grease all over two good rags now in the bin. About 30 ml of grease dispensed into the gates. About 200 ml of grease everywhere else.

What am I doing wrong or is it the nature of the beast ??

As I post this no doubt the gun will carry on pushing out grease despite me pulling the plunger back.

Lazy-Ferret · 02-12-2016, 13:06

I must admit I find the cartridge ones are not much good for the amount of grease I have to apply, I think they are only really any good for people like plant drivers that use them every day. Mine always leak, or the oil element seperates from the grease part dribbles out, and what is left is too thick to use.

I have a couple of the old fashioned ones that came with cars like the MG, where you just put in as much grease as you need, when you need it. It's best when you get the grease cans that look like they are covered by a giant washer, as you just put the gun over the centre hole and press down.

Having said all that, like you it always seems to take a tonne of tweeking to actually get them to work.

Sent from my SM-T705 using Tapatalk

emjaybee · 02-12-2016, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by macabethiel

Well today decided the drive gates could do with greasing and the bottom arms have nice standard nipples that are easy to reach.

Put a new cartridge in my Hilka Mini Grease Gun and removed the metal cover seal. Inserted cartridge into casing with the plunger fully back, screwed it into the head of the gun.

After some pumping nothing came out ? Released the little lever and the plunger pushed in all the way. Funny thought I should it not have just gone in partway ? Tried pumping it using the plunger. No grease came out ?

Unscrewed head and of course out comes the cartridge and a load of grease all over my hands. Unable to screw back in. Every time I pulled back the plunger and locked it out in the course of screwing the head back on I caught the little catch and it all came out again.

After putting in some extra grease into the cartridge from my Tub of Grease managed to get it back together again. Now it suddenly works just fine and greased the said gates.

I now have grease up to my elbows, grease all over two good rags now in the bin. About 30 ml of grease dispensed into the gates. About 200 ml of grease everywhere else.

What am I doing wrong or is it the nature of the beast ??

As I post this no doubt the gun will carry on pushing out grease despite me pulling the plunger back.

I can't help but think that would have been a great video clip.

Now the hilarity is over, I've never had a problem with my Sealey cartridge grease gun.

Pull back handle and latch it, unscrew top, remove old cartridge, install new cartridge, screw on top, unlatch handle and push home, use!

It even survived my running over it with a 3.5 tonne paddock roller when I forgot to take off the frame after greasing.

Can't really explain why you're having trouble, sorry.

Banshee · 02-12-2016, 17:12

I've got an old "Colley" one that I've been told was from the late 60's

Its only got "Colley" stamped on it and "Made in Japan" can't find cartridges anywhere and at the moment I've restored to "fingering" grease into it with latex gloves

macabethiel · 02-12-2016, 18:42

I risked getting my hands even greasier when I took a closer look at the second of the set of 4 cartridges I bought for my gun.

To my surprise when you take off the silver foil its a full looking cylinder of grease, when you remove the plastic from the other end and look down the tube instead of being a full tube of grease it just looks like a slug has crawled inside.

The tubes contain 85 grams of grease so I reckon they are only about 25 % full !!

emjaybee · 02-12-2016, 19:18

I use a universal grease, sorry can't remember brand or type, agricultural merchants are the place to get grease cartridges from so I've found.

Thomas61 · 02-12-2016, 19:54

Hi,

I have used this stuff from Toolstation before, seemed okay.

Like you grease guns have caused me grief, could not get it to work, opened it and entire contents over the inlaws drive.

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p896...hstr=grease%20

Monaro Pete · 02-12-2016, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banshee

I've restored to "fingering" grease into it with latex gloves

macabethiel · 02-12-2016, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banshee

I've got an old "Colley" one that I've been told was from the late 60's

Its only got "Colley" stamped on it and "Made in Japan" can't find cartridges anywhere and at the moment I've restored to "fingering" grease into it with latex gloves

That works for me should not have bothered with a cartridge gun just gone old school by pressing the gun against the tin of grease plate and sucking it up with the plunger.

I actually threw two old guns in the bin a few years ago as they had deposited the contents on the floor of my Garage Loft as I thought the seals had gone.

Tim Gilbert · 03-12-2016, 20:35

Your problem is the air gap that's created when changing the cartridge. What you need to to is remove the little seal and gently release the plunger a bit and push some grease out of your new tube before screwing it back together. That way the valve in your pump gets grease straight away. I laugh watching the apprentice at work lol . I haven't told him yet it's more fun. The second way is half screw your pump back on release the plunger and finish screwing the pump fully on that way the air leaks out passed the threads. 😊

macabethiel · 03-12-2016, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Gilbert

Your problem is the air gap that's created when changing the cartridge. What you need to to is remove the little seal and gently release the plunger a bit and push some grease out of your new tube before screwing it back together. That way the valve in your pump gets grease straight away. I laugh watching the apprentice at work lol . I haven't told him yet it's more fun. The second way is half screw your pump back on release the plunger and finish screwing the pump fully on that way the air leaks out passed the threads. 😊

That very Scientific I like it !

Tim Gilbert · 03-12-2016, 20:36

.. just make sure you have screwed it on enough or you will end up the same as you did doing your gates 😂

02-12-2016, 12:10	#1
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	Grease Guns - they are a mystery ! Well today decided the drive gates could do with greasing and the bottom arms have nice standard nipples that are easy to reach. Put a new cartridge in my Hilka Mini Grease Gun and removed the metal cover seal. Inserted cartridge into casing with the plunger fully back, screwed it into the head of the gun. After some pumping nothing came out ? Released the little lever and the plunger pushed in all the way. Funny thought I should it not have just gone in partway ? Tried pumping it using the plunger. No grease came out ? Unscrewed head and of course out comes the cartridge and a load of grease all over my hands. Unable to screw back in. Every time I pulled back the plunger and locked it out in the course of screwing the head back on I caught the little catch and it all came out again. After putting in some extra grease into the cartridge from my Tub of Grease managed to get it back together again. Now it suddenly works just fine and greased the said gates. I now have grease up to my elbows, grease all over two good rags now in the bin. About 30 ml of grease dispensed into the gates. About 200 ml of grease everywhere else. What am I doing wrong or is it the nature of the beast ?? As I post this no doubt the gun will carry on pushing out grease despite me pulling the plunger back.

02-12-2016, 17:12	#4
Banshee Moderator Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: West Midlands Vehicle: 04 2.7 SWB Terrano II Van Posts: 13,526	I've got an old "Colley" one that I've been told was from the late 60's Its only got "Colley" stamped on it and "Made in Japan" can't find cartridges anywhere and at the moment I've restored to "fingering" grease into it with latex gloves __________________ Moderator 04' Terrano II SE 2.7 TDi SWB Commercial in Silver - Project Thread Toyo Open Country M/T 33's on 10J Steels, Super Strong Steering Job Navara D22 Snorkel, Front LOKKA, Maunal Hubs, EGR Blank TunitII ECU Chip, 3" Body Lift, 2" Suss Lift, Heat Exchanger Black Interior, 3.0 Borg&Beck Clutch, Eckes Heated Fuel Filter 99' Y61 Patrol GR SE 2.8 TD6 LWB in Blue/Silver - Project Thread Engine Transplant - In Progress!!!

02-12-2016, 18:42	#5
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	Closer inspection of the Cartridges revealed .................!! I risked getting my hands even greasier when I took a closer look at the second of the set of 4 cartridges I bought for my gun. To my surprise when you take off the silver foil its a full looking cylinder of grease, when you remove the plastic from the other end and look down the tube instead of being a full tube of grease it just looks like a slug has crawled inside. The tubes contain 85 grams of grease so I reckon they are only about 25 % full !!

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02-12-2016, 13:06	#2
Lazy-Ferret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sevenoaks, Kent Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring Posts: 5,221	I must admit I find the cartridge ones are not much good for the amount of grease I have to apply, I think they are only really any good for people like plant drivers that use them every day. Mine always leak, or the oil element seperates from the grease part dribbles out, and what is left is too thick to use. I have a couple of the old fashioned ones that came with cars like the MG, where you just put in as much grease as you need, when you need it. It's best when you get the grease cans that look like they are covered by a giant washer, as you just put the gun over the centre hole and press down. Having said all that, like you it always seems to take a tonne of tweeking to actually get them to work. Sent from my SM-T705 using Tapatalk

02-12-2016, 19:18	#6
emjaybee Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Oxfordshire Vehicle: 3.0Di SVE '05 5 door. Posts: 1,536	I use a universal grease, sorry can't remember brand or type, agricultural merchants are the place to get grease cartridges from so I've found.

02-12-2016, 19:54	#7
Thomas61 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Hampshire Vehicle: Terrano but now Honda CRV Posts: 658	Hi, I have used this stuff from Toolstation before, seemed okay. Like you grease guns have caused me grief, could not get it to work, opened it and entire contents over the inlaws drive. http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p896...hstr=grease%20

03-12-2016, 20:35	#10
Tim Gilbert Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Southwest Vehicle: Maverick and Terrano Posts: 42	Your problem is the air gap that's created when changing the cartridge. What you need to to is remove the little seal and gently release the plunger a bit and push some grease out of your new tube before screwing it back together. That way the valve in your pump gets grease straight away. I laugh watching the apprentice at work lol . I haven't told him yet it's more fun. The second way is half screw your pump back on release the plunger and finish screwing the pump fully on that way the air leaks out passed the threads. 😊

03-12-2016, 20:36	#12
Tim Gilbert Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Southwest Vehicle: Maverick and Terrano Posts: 42	.. just make sure you have screwed it on enough or you will end up the same as you did doing your gates 😂