How to Get Grease in a Grease Gun
One tool that is necessary in any home mechanic's workshop is a grease gun. The grease gun injects pressurized grease into special fittings on automobiles and small machinery. Filling a grease gun with grease is sometimes one of the messiest jobs for the home mechanic. However, there are clean methods to get grease in a grease gun and save yourself the frustration of getting the grease all over you and everything else around you. Bulk grease and grease cartridges are available at home improvement centers. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Bulk Grease
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1
Twist the head of the grease gun counterclockwise with your hands and remove it from the grease gun barrel. The head is the top of the grease gun with the grease fitting hose.
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2
Insert the open end of the grease gun barrel into your bulk grease barrel or bucket. Ensure that the barrel is in the grease at least one inch.
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3
Hold the barrel and slowly pull the plunger away from the bottom of the grease gun barrel with your free hand. The plunger is the T-handle on the end of the grease gun barrel. Suction is created between the grease and the plunger plate inside the barrel. As you pull the plunger, the suction draws the grease into the grease gun barrel.
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4
Lift the grease gun barrel away from the grease once you fully extend the plunger. Wipe off excess grease from around the outside of the grease gun barrel with a rag.
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5
Thread the grease gun head back onto the top of the grease gun barrel.
Cartridge Grease
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6
Pull the plunger on the back of the grease gun barrel until it is fully extended. Turn the handle clockwise to lock the plunger.
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7
Twist off the grease gun head with your hand. Hold the open end of the grease gun barrel over a trash can and shake the used cartridge out of the barrel.
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8
Open one end of a new grease cartridge. The ends have pop tops that remove with your fingers. Insert the open end into the grease gun.
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9
Remove the top end of the grease cartridge with your fingers. Screw the grease gun head back onto the grease gun barrel. Twist the T-handle counterclockwise and use the trigger on the handle to engage the plunger into the grease.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Depending on your grease, you can also pour it into the grease gun barrel or load it by dipping a putty knife into the grease and scraping it into the barrel.
