Explain grease gun sizing to me

[LittleSister]

I need to buy a grease gun, to apply grease to (what is described as) a 5mm nipple (on a feathering prop). Have searched on line, and very few of those offered mention the size nipple(s) they will fit. The only one I have found so far said 14mm nipple. There are various other references to fitting types and jaws, but I don't understand what is being specified, or which, if any of these, I need.

My only previous use of a grease gun was very unsatisfactory - I think it was a motorbike years ago, and I could could get grease all around the nipple, but never, as far as I could tell, much, if anything, actually into it. Possibly the wrong type or size of fitting, I now think, but at the time I hadn't been aware there was a range of these.

If anyone could illuminate the situation, or point me in the direction of a suitable gun for occasional use, that would be appreciated.

 

[sailorman]

I need to buy a grease gun, to apply grease to (what is described as) a 5mm nipple (on a feathering prop). Have searched on line, and very few of those offered mention the size nipple(s) they will fit. The only one I have found so far said 14mm nipple. There are various other references to fitting types and jaws, but I don't understand what is being specified, or which, if any of these, I need.

My only previous use of a grease gun was very unsatisfactory - I think it was a motorbike years ago, and I could could get grease all around the nipple, but never, as far as I could tell, much, if anything, actually into it. Possibly the wrong type or size of fitting, I now think, but at the time I hadn't been aware there was a range of these.

If anyone could illuminate the situation, or point me in the direction of a suitable gun for occasional use, that would be appreciated.

what make prop
I have a long nipple if you want to borrow it to try & a grease gun too :encouragement:

this is what i have
Wanner Swiss Made Grease Gun eBay item number:232293595514

 

[RichardS]

I've only ever come across a "standard" grease nipple as used with a standard grease gun. The nipple diameter would be about 5mm but I've never seen that referred to specifically. Anything larger must be used on much larger shafts, bearings or joints.

The standard grease gun is the size you will find in any Halford or motor factors and I'm sure that any grease nipple on a boat will also be the same standard size.

Sometimes grease nipples do sieze up and you need to push down the little ball bearing in the centre with a sharp point to free the thing up.

Richard

 

[Malish]

nipple size is fairly standard, most connectors are just push on to the nipple unless you desire a higher pressure one (doubt it) which can be locked on tight. Possibly more important - do you have a cartridge of grease or are you planning to manually fill it? Here is an example that will probably fit your needs:

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Side-Lever-Grease-Gun-3-Way-Fill-Sealey-AK445?sc=9&category=602

 

[LittleSister]

what make prop
I have a long nipple if you want to borrow it to try & a grease gun too :encouragement:

this is what i have
Wanner Swiss Made Grease Gun eBay item number:232293595514

That's very kind of you, Roger. I've ordered that Grease Gun off eBay, but it won't be delivered for 10 days and I might get in touch with you about borrowing yours if I can progress some other jobs that are also holding up launching.

It's a Variprop, by the way. (On my 'new' boat, and I have no experience of such things.)

 

[LittleSister]

Thanks Richard and RivalRedwing (your replies came in while I was distracted from completing my reply to Roger). Those explanations are most helpful. :encouragement:

 

[VicS]

Thanks Richard and RivalRedwing (your replies came in while I was distracted from completing my reply to Roger). Those explanations are most helpful. :encouragement:

I have only ever bought ( or "acquired") standard grease guns.

However been out to the workshop with a vernier and measured the diameters of the knob ends of the grease nipples on a couple of outboard engines. One is an Evinrude and the nipples have a diameter of 1/4" The other is and old Volvo Penta and on that the diameter is 6mm. I guess the difference explains why the grease guns always seen to clip on to the Evinrude's nipples more tightly.

What you'd expect I suppose ... American nipples are bigger

 

[reeac]

FWIW my Wanner grease gun which I bought in the mid 1960s fits the nipples on my 1958 MGA (no surprises there) and also those on my 1983 Kubota compact tractor.

 

[K-ron]

Apologies for hijacking thread, I also bought a wanner gun after reading previous threads last year. Please could somebody explain how to fill it properly. I made a right old mess when I tried, great gun though.

Thanks

Kieran

 

[reeac]

Apologies for hijacking thread, I also bought a wanner gun after reading previous threads last year. Please could somebody explain how to fill it properly. I made a right old mess when I tried, great gun though.

Thanks

You unscrew the handle from the top piece and then pull the black handle which is attached by a chain to the piston which is within the hollow metal handle. With the piston fully retracted and held by hooking the chain into the notched slot through which it runs you then place the hollow handle over the hole in the grease container plate and push it down to fill the hollow handle with grease. Then screw the hollow handle back onto its top, unnotch the chain and open the bleed nipple in the top. A thin worm of grease may emerge immediately but you will probably need to pump the lever in order to bleed out all of the trapped air. Once air stops coming through the nipple tighten the nipple and you should be ready to go.
You may be able to buy cylindrical cartridges of grease which fit into the handle but I've always bought cans of grease.

 

[sailorman]

Apologies for hijacking thread, I also bought a wanner gun after reading previous threads last year. Please could somebody explain how to fill it properly. I made a right old mess when I tried, great gun though.

Thanks

You unscrew the handle from the top piece and then pull the black handle which is attached by a chain to the piston which is within the hollow metal handle. With the piston fully retracted and held by hooking the chain into the notched slot through which it runs you then place the hollow handle over the hole in the grease container plate and push it down to fill the hollow handle with grease. Then screw the hollow handle back onto its top, unnotch the chain and open the bleed nipple in the top. A thin worm of grease may emerge immediately but you will probably need to pump the lever in order to bleed out all of the trapped air. Once air stops coming through the nipple tighten the nipple and you should be ready to go.
You may be able to buy cylindrical cartridges of grease which fit into the handle but I've always bought cans of grease.

I always pack mine away with the chain pulled & locked off, it prevents the grease escaping under pressure

 

[VicS]

Apologies for hijacking thread, I also bought a wanner gun after reading previous threads last year. Please could somebody explain how to fill it properly. I made a right old mess when I tried, great gun though.

Thanks

Kieran

If the gun is empty and you have your grease in a tin with a disc with a central hole on top of the grease:

Unscrew and remove the head, unlock the "T" handle at the other end of the barrel.

Hold the barrel over the hole in the plate in the grease tin, Push the barrel down and simultaneously pull the "T" handle
Some coordination of left and right hands, one pushing the barrel down, the other pulling the handle, should result in the gun being filled without mess

When full lock off the chain on the handle to keep it fully withdrawn.

Refit the head to the barrel.
Release the handle, stow the chain and refit and lock the handle in its original position
Open the vent screws and pump gently to expel air. Close the event screws when all air is expelled.

Shovelling grease in with the "T" handle fully withdraw and locked off as sailorman suggests is the messy way of doing it and likely to trap loadsa air in with the grease


If the gun is not completely empty release the handle pull back a little and lock the chain before unscrewing the head. This prevents any grease in the gun being ejected.

If you just have a tub of grease, rather than a tin with the disc/ hole you have to stick the open end of the barrel into the grease and suck it up by pulling on the "T" handle .

 

[Paddy Layback]

There is a specialist dealer in Bolton, they have an informative website. Google "The Nipple Shop".. yes really

 

[blxm]

If the gun is empty and you have your grease in a tin with a disc with a central hole on top of the grease:

Unscrew and remove the head, unlock the "T" handle at the other end of the barrel.

Hold the barrel over the hole in the plate in the grease tin, Push the barrel down and simultaneously pull the "T" handle
Some coordination of left and right hands, one pushing the barrel down, the other pulling the handle, should result in the gun being filled without mess

When full lock off the chain on the handle to keep it fully withdrawn.

Refit the head to the barrel.
Release the handle, stow the chain and refit and lock the handle in its original position
Open the vent screws and pump gently to expel air. Close the event screws when all air is expelled.

Shovelling grease in with the "T" handle fully withdraw and locked off as sailorman suggests is the messy way of doing it and likely to trap loadsa air in with the grease


If the gun is not completely empty release the handle pull back a little and lock the chain before unscrewing the head. This prevents any grease in the gun being ejected.

If you just have a tub of grease, rather than a tin with the disc/ hole you have to stick the open end of the barrel into the grease and suck it up by pulling on the "T" handle .

May be useful in explaining the principle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY7u24vrARE

 

[K-ron]

Thanks people. I will try to improve my technique now. As in, next time I try not right this second.

 

[simonfraser]

just bought some nipples and a female end connecter for my grease gun
the nipple was a little tight but went in, could i get it out, no
put the end connector in a vice, threaded end of the nipple in a mole grip
crowbar to lever it apart
nipple broke !

guess they are not supposed to be that tight

am i buying cr@p parts, and if so where should i buy both from to avoid this hassle ?

 

[penberth3]

just bought some nipples and a female end connecter for my grease gun
the nipple was a little tight but went in, could i get it out, no
put the end connector in a vice, threaded end of the nipple in a mole grip
crowbar to lever it apart
nipple broke !

guess they are not supposed to be that tight

am i buying cr@p parts, and if so where should i buy both from to avoid this hassle ?

Do you mean you stuck a loose nipple into the connector? If so, I'd expect that to be very difficult to remove. With nipples screwed in to something, as intended, the connector should come off easily with maybe a bit of sideways movement. I've only had trouble if there's grit or dirt in the connector, and usually the problem is the connector popping off under pressure.

Or as you suggest - you might have got some poor quality parts, oversize or not quite the right shape.

 

[rotrax]

I have two wanner grease guns, one on the boat, one at home.

I pull the tee handle, lock the chain at full spring compression.

I remove the head, place upside down over the grease tin with the tube of the gun over the feed hole and press down.

AFAIK, when you pull the tee and lock the chain a sealing washer stays at the top end. As the grease enters it pushes this washer back to the end of the compressed spring, the air above the washer escaping from the tee's slot. It is important for this area to be free of grease so as to allow air to escape.

When full, screw on the top and bleed.

Works for me............................................