Grease Gun Pains

Surewhynot · Mar 9, 2008

I just purchased a new "Plews" brand pro grease gun at a name brand store where you save big money. The problem is the spring will not compress into the end cap so that I can put it together again after inserting the grease tube.

1. Is there a trick to stop the spring from going every which way when you pull the T handle to lock it into the open position. I tried for an hour and nothing would keep the spring in line, it would spring sidways and not fit back into the main tube. And yes grease gets on everything

2. Is it worth the expense for the electric or battery operated grease guns? I will be greasing two Kubotas, snow blower, mower, other equipment as my toy chest grows.

Thanks for any assistance. Over to you for suggestions and sarcasm

Skyco · Mar 9, 2008

Did you pull the handle back while the end cap was still ON the gun? If not, remove the grease tube you inserted and put the end cap back on THEN pull the handle back and lock it, take the end cap off gun, insert grease cartridge, reinstall cap then release handle. You will have to push the handle back in manually.

RickB · Mar 9, 2008

Take the cartridge out of the barrel. Screw the base, plunger and spring back onto the bottom of the barrel. Unscrew the handle, pump, and head assembly from the opposite end of the barrel. Pull the plunger rod out through the lower end cap compressing the spring while it is trapped in the barrel. Lock the plunger rod into the end cap by whatever means is provided. Insert the cartridge plain end first. Replace the pump/handle end on the barrel. Release the plunger rod from the end cap to allw the spring to compress the follower plate and grease. You are working from the wrong end of the barrel.

ray66v · Mar 9, 2008

I am still looking for the "Holy Grail" of grease guns. I have 4 different ones, including 1 that is a brand name air powered unit. Every one gives me grief of some sort.

Surewhynot · Mar 9, 2008

Rick, my thought too, however that is not what the instructions say and the other end won't come off to do that, I thought that would be an easy solution as well. You have to remove the T handle end to insert the tube of grease. Believe me I tried every possible thing including pinching my hand several times trying to keep the &^%## spring in line to fit into the endcap.

RickB · Mar 9, 2008

Well we used to sell Plews at work and they load from the top like any other grease gun. If you can't figure out how to load the top end, go get a Lincoln. Plews stuff is low end junk anyway. The barrel is the only thing that's going to keep the spring in alignment under compression.

Surewhynot · Mar 9, 2008

Perhaps if I applied some brute force and ignorance I might get the top off and be able to load it like you suggested and I thought was correct. I will research the Lincoln brand and see who sells them here in Iowa. Thanks.

Surewhynot · Mar 9, 2008

I also agree the barel should have made sure the spring aligned into the endcap. No such luck

Eagleview · Mar 9, 2008

This is not meant as sarcasm , but if you have a spring in your hand you are definately working from the wrong end . The end with the handle DOES come off , thats how it is made , in 3 pieces . The headstock with the hose and handle , the cartridge tube and the base with the "T" handle and spring . If you got the cartridge in that way it is also in back to front as it has a lip on the top end that seals under the headstock . The other end has a bigger ID so the plunger can fit into the cartridge .

Surewhynot · Mar 9, 2008

OK so the rule is you have to be smarter than what you are playing with! I am going to use brute force and ignorance and force the head off so that I can insert the tube, put the head back in, release the T handle and use the gun as it was intended. I guess I was not using enough force to remove the head assembly. Thanks to everyone for the help. I was correct in my thinking, just have to put some force into it I guess. I will let you know how it turns out.