Mini Grease Gun

[Stevedore]

I have a mini grease gun, I think it's a Plews brand, that I use for lawn/garden machines, that's very difficult to load with a new grease cartridge.

Aren't these supposed to have some sort of locking feature on the plunger to hold it in the retracted position while you insert the cartridge & screw the head on? This one has no such thing, so I need to clamp the plunger rod in a vise, pull the body out, & clamp a vise grip on the plunger to hold it while I put the new cartridge in.

Is this thing defective, or am I missing something? If it's defective, can anyone recommend a good brand/model to replace it with?

[Bill]

It doesn't have a small cut out around the hole where the plunger goes in, to lock it in place?

I have never used the miniature version, but that sounds....awkward, and if there's no mechanism to keep the plunger in place while loading a cartridge, I'd say you've already found the workaround. Next time, get a full size gun, and spring for the longer flexible hose. I do like the pistol grip version, though.

[Stevedore]

No cutout on the plunger shaft, but there is a small notch on one side of the hole that the plunger shaft goes through, as if there is supposed to be some sort of locking ability.

A recent "grease event", when I accidentally knocked the vise grip off the shaft while I was loading this thing, is why I'm going to replace it. A full-sized gun probably isn't a bad idea; wouldn't have to load it as often.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Stevedore

No cutout on the plunger shaft, but there is a small notch on one side of the hole that the plunger shaft goes through, as if there is supposed to be some sort of locking ability.

A recent "grease event", when I accidentally knocked the vise grip off the shaft while I was loading this thing, is why I'm going to replace it. A full-sized gun probably isn't a bad idea; wouldn't have to load it as often.

Did you pull the plunger all the way out? There really should be a cut out on the shaft to fit into that notch on the housing.

[FasterTraffic]

Originally Posted by Stevedore

If it's defective, can anyone recommend a good brand/model to replace it with?

[SQUIRMIN VERMIN 84]

Originally Posted by FasterTraffic

NICE! In our tank unit, we had an issue of two M3A1's (no hand crank for bolt), for each tank. We loved range time with those!

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by Stevedore

No cutout on the plunger shaft, but there is a small notch on one side of the hole that the plunger shaft goes through, as if there is supposed to be some sort of locking ability.

A recent "grease event", when I accidentally knocked the vise grip off the shaft while I was loading this thing, is why I'm going to replace it. A full-sized gun probably isn't a bad idea; wouldn't have to load it as often.

There should be some type of locking device for the shaft.

If you decide on a full size grease gun, I would suggest getting a flexible hose for it. That will allow you to put the grease gun down and use the nozzle on the end of the hose to get to the fitting. Since the flexible hose screws in, it wouldn't be that difficult to change to the pipe end if needed. ( or get two grease guns )

Whatcha going to do with the small one?

[SQUIRMIN VERMIN 84]

Originally Posted by Stevedore

No cutout on the plunger shaft, but there is a small notch on one side of the hole that the plunger shaft goes through, as if there is supposed to be some sort of locking ability.

A recent "grease event", when I accidentally knocked the vise grip off the shaft while I was loading this thing, is why I'm going to replace it. A full-sized gun probably isn't a bad idea; wouldn't have to load it as often.

I remember buying one of these from the local parts store way back in the day.
Had same problem! wound up with more grease on ME than in the gun!
Trash canned it the same day! Wasn't worth the hassle returning it.

[markids77]

I have been using John Deere branded grease guns for the past 25 years. I do not know who makes them, but the first lasted more than 10 years, the second is still going.

[CeeFour]

Originally Posted by Stevedore

No cutout on the plunger shaft, but there is a small notch on one side of the hole that the plunger shaft goes through, as if there is supposed to be some sort of locking ability.

Before you just chuck the grease gun, it should be easy to cut a groove in the plunger shaft with a dremel cutoff wheel.

[Stevedore]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

There should be some type of locking device for the shaft.

If you decide on a full size grease gun, I would suggest getting a flexible hose for it. That will allow you to put the grease gun down and use the nozzle on the end of the hose to get to the fitting. Since the flexible hose screws in, it wouldn't be that difficult to change to the pipe end if needed. ( or get two grease guns )

Whatcha going to do with the small one?

I decided to jack up & grease my mower this morning, sharpen the blades, etc. ONCE MORE, I loaded a new grease cartridge, & still could not pull the plunger back & lock it in place. There may be an annular groove in the plunger rod, but I never found it. Loads of grease came out through the back end when I pulled the rod back, so who knows, I may have done something wrong the last time.

In any event, I'm ordering a new full-sized gun today/tomorrow, since greasing up the mower, snowblower, etc., requires reloading this mini one too often.

Having no further need for the little one, and despising throwing things into landfills, I'd be glad to mail it to a deserving forum member, especially one who may use it, and who may be able to answer questions for me if I ever decide to buy, I don't know, maybe an old Cub Cadet?

[JRD77VET]

Thanks, I will pay shipping too.

You will need to email or PM me since you do not have those options available.

Jeff

[Stevedore]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

Thanks, I will pay shipping too.

Jeff

PM me your address, & give me a day or so to scrounge up a box & some packing material.

It was a tossup between giving it away or repurposing it into a ketchup dispenser for our next family barbecue, but I wasn't sure how well that would go over with everyone. My wife, specifically...

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by Stevedore

PM me your address, & give me a day or so to scrounge up a box & some packing material.

It was a tossup between giving it away or repurposing it into a ketchup dispenser for our next family barbecue, but I wasn't sure how well that would go over with everyone. My wife, specifically...

Sent, thanks