Grease - is there no better way? Can we talk about this?

[Johnb0311]

One of the things I hate most about working with equipment is grease. I recently decided I was going to make it easier by getting a battery powered grease gun. Then I opted to put a lube lock fitting nozzle thingy to try to reduce the mess.

It helps but the grease and mess still gets everywhere.

All over my hands. Ruined countless numbers of rags. All over the tractor in places I'd rather not have it. All over the grease gun and even some of my other tools.

Is there a better way? Are there any products I should look into?
Is there no newfangled alternate to grease that isn't quite so messy?

Grease makes the already unpleasant task of maintaining equipment even less pleasant.

I hear you. Greased tractor yesterday and had trouble with grease gun getting airbound. Grease all over me, tractor, equipment and driveway.

 

[Reapoman]

Grease is like diesel fuel. You cant get within 50' of either without getting it all over yourself.

 

[panamaguy]

One of the things I hate most about working with equipment is grease. I recently decided I was going to make it easier by getting a battery powered grease gun. Then I opted to put a lube lock fitting nozzle thingy to try to reduce the mess.

It helps but the grease and mess still gets everywhere.

All over my hands. Ruined countless numbers of rags. All over the tractor in places I'd rather not have it. All over the grease gun and even some of my other tools.

Is there a better way? Are there any products I should look into?
Is there no newfangled alternate to grease that isn't quite so messy?

Grease makes the already unpleasant task of maintaining equipment even less pleasant.

Sounds like you need to make sale and move to a apartment in the city.. Does not sound like you a a hands on type of guy

 

[dkmc]

What kind of oil do you use in your grease gun for your mill?

I'll answer that.....Way oil......except real way oil has gotten very expensive. I've seen mention of 'bar & chain' oil and always though it was a joke. Recently I picked up a quart of same, and come to find out it's the right viscosity and has tackifier added to it just like 'real' way oil. And it's cheap! From now on, I'm
using bar & chain oil on the machine tools.

 

[kenhar]

A grease gun is one of the most profitable tools you can have if you use it often and correctly.

 

[ranchito]

A Dealer told me that most people use too much grease, and they need to learn to only put in enough to do the job.

I've gone back to manual pump grease guns. I have one with a solid tube and another with the flexible tube. I use the solid tube for almost all my fittings, which is fast and easy.

I've tried a few different brands of manual grease guns but haven't really noticed much difference in them. For most of my fittings, I only pump it a few times. I've been doing it so long I just sort of know when to stop so grease doesn't come out of the seals. Some might get 2 pumps, others get 5. On my backhoe I have a few places that get ten pumps, that's my most extreme fittings.

Yes, too much grease only makes a mess and attracts dirt. Daily greasing was expected, no demanded when I ran a Cat 966 years ago. A couple pumps kept the passages clear and saved the cost and hassle of unnecessary pin and bushing replacements. My favorite gun was an Alemite that I still have today 50 years later although I more recently bought a pistol grip made of Chinesium that allows one hand operation on light duty stuff. I store mine vertical so the oil runs out and doesn't leave a trail on the garage floor.

 

[JimR]

what techniques do you have for purging air in newly replaced cartridge manual grease gun? that's my only issue & don't mind getting messy when gun works properly. regards`
do pneumatic guns work better in that regard? my experience is no

Do not tightened the outer tube all the way in. Release the spring operated rod at the bottom. The air in the tube will purge out. Then tighten the outer casing. I have been doing this for over 50 years.

 

[kenhar]

Too much grease is messy, but the worst thing is you can damage or even push a grease seal out. The fitting should always be wiped clean before greasing. Dirt on the fitting can be pumped into what you are greasing and damage a bearing.

 

[Tinhack]

What kind of oil do you use in your grease gun for your mill?

It's Way Oil. I don't have the brand in front of me but I buy it by the gallon. I think it's the Mobile Vactra. I also have it in a pump can to lube the ways on the lathe.

 

[dkmc]

A grease gun is one of the most profitable tools you can have if you use it often and correctly.

As a machinist who's made parts for worn out equipment, I disagree with that statement