Table of Contents
People who own or work with heavy equipment or machinery in factories and other ventures understand the need for lubricating moving parts. Doing this at regular intervals will help to keep the machinery running at optimal speed with no issues at all. In most situations, manual lubrication is deployed but as you know, this process is more labor-intensive. Again, since the process is manual, grease won’t be applied properly to the machine parts. The best choice therefore will be the cordless grease guns. These are not only easy to operate but they also save you time.
It is not easy to settle for a single cordless grease gun. The reason for that is that each gun is unique in its own perspective and performs different duties. It, therefore, means that what could be good for me might not be good for you too. The best way to get the best cordless grease gun would be to choose one that fits your exact needs. In this article, we help you make an informed decision by offering some tips to consider when shopping.
What Do You Need Cordless Grease Gun For?
A reliable cordless grease gun is very important if you are having some machinery that needs regular lubrication such as a car engine. Grease guns are tools that have been designed to deliver lubricants to different mechanical equipment. They have been made to hold some special grease canister and inject its contents one on one into the machine’s fittings through special couplers. In short, you need grease guns to keep mechanical parts well-lubricated for flawless operation and to prevent corrosion. The cordless model of grease guns serves better than the corded one in terms of flexibility. It means that you will not be held at one operating point.
How To Choose The Best Cordless Grease Gun
- Power Capacity
We are talking of battery-operated cordless grease guns in this case. The power capacity, therefore, reflects the battery power capacity. You ought to choose a grease gun with good battery capacity to ensure that you do not break in between tasks to recharge the battery. Ideal grease guns will only take a short time to charge fully and have a good runtime.
- Motor Power
The motor power is also an important consideration in this case. High motor power will help to guarantee that oil extraction and injection work goes on efficiently. When making your selection for cordless grease guns, ensure to go for those with high motor power depending on the application type.
- Pressure Rating
Different pressure levels are needed to operate grease guns. There are some powerful guns that squeeze a lot of grease at a go while others are underpowered. The pressure rating is measured in PSI (Pounds per Square Inch). This could range anywhere from 3000 to 10000 PSI. Ensure to use the recommended pressure for your application.
- Hose Length
Before investing in a grease gun, ensure to understand its hose length. You have to keep in mind the fact that grease needs to be applied in different tight spots and hard-to-reach corners. To offer convenience in such a situation, these guns have a hose at their front. However, the length of the hose differs. In order to easily access your fittings, ensure to settle for the best hose length.
- Build Quality
The build quality for any product determines how durable it will be. Most models feature steel material but then the steel quality always differs. There are some which are strong while others get dented easily. You ought to understand that most products made of quality materials are a bit expensive. You must therefore check the build quality of your gun to ensure that you are investing in the right grease gun.
- Ease of Use
You must insist on getting a grease gun that is straightforward to use. Failure to do this, you are likely to ruin your project and put you under so much tension. Some of the features to look for include ease of adjusting the flow of grease. You should also opt for lightweight models with an ergonomic grip for comfort. Some even come with an LED light to illuminate those dark areas.
- Warranty
Just like any other product, you ought to settle for brands that have been backed with a comprehensive warranty program. This helps to eliminate whatever complication that you might encounter when organizing some repair. Given that grease guns are crucial investments, you must invest in quality ones. Some quality indicators in this case include a warranty.
How To Use a Cordless Grease Gun?
Now that you know what a grease gun is used for, how do you get the grease from the gun to your machinery? This calls for keen attention to detail. Skipping a step risks introducing contaminants or undergreasing or overgreasing your machine. Below is a simple step-by-step guide on how o use a cordless grease gun:
#1. Verify that you have the correct lube point- you must confirm that you have the right grease and the right grease gun with the equipment at the best operating state. After that, calculate the number of pumps you need to apply. Simply divide your regreasing volume by your grease gun’s average volume per pump.
#2. Remove your grease fitting cap- after you confirm the needed amount of grease, you need to remove that fitting cap. Make sure to clean that with a clean cloth or a towel. You also ought to inspect that fitting for any damage. In case it is damaged, you must replace the fitting immediately.
#3. Make the connection- once you confirm that everything is in order, get the purge plug off and proceed to make that connection. Simply connect the gun’s coupling with the grease fitting. Avoid holding the hose close to the coupling to avoid injuries. In case coupling fails to attach well, you must make the replacement immediately.
#4. Apply the grease- here is where you pump the grease slowly into the bearing. You should continue doing that until you get to the optimal volume of your regreasing amount. Stop in case you feel some awkward back pressure since that might indicate that the passageway has been blocked.
#5. Disconnect and clean- after you have regreased properly, disconnect your gun’s coupling from the machine and clean at grease point. Replace the grease fitting cap in case your equipment has one. If it doesn’t have a cap, a small grease dollop on the fitting will do.
#6. Put back the purge plug- after successful regreasing, wait for around 30 minutes to put back the purge plug into your piece of equipment.
How To Maintain a Cordless Grease Gun?
There are so many ways of cleaning and maintaining grease guns. People who have used the tool before already know how these things are done effectively and in the right way. However, for first-time users and people who are relatively new in the field, there is a thing or two that they need to learn. Here are some tips on how to maintain your cordless grease gun.
Cleaning A Grease Gun
- Wipe properly using a clean cloth- you need to understand that it is important for you to wipe the gun’s fittings as well as other parts of the grease gun. Before using the tool, you must ensure that it is free from debris and any residue.
- When cleaning, use water mixed with some anti-grease solution- it is very important to use an anti-grease solution if you want your gun to remain thoroughly clean. The reason behind it is that water alone might not completely remove grease along with its residues.
- Avoid placing the gun in dirty places- This is another practice to keep your cordless grease gun clean. Make sure that you never place it in places where dust and dirt are very apparent.
Maintaining A Grease Gun
- Before using your grease gun, make sure to inspect it. This helps you to ensure that all the parts and components are in their optimal states.
- Use the standards parts of the tool
- Clean your grease gun regularly
- You must designate the fittings appropriately based on the particular grease you will be using. This eliminates the risk of contamination and mixture.
- Understand how to use the tool effectively.
Battery Powered Vs Pneumatic Grease Gun
There are so many aspects in which battery-powered and pneumatic grease guns differ. Below, we take a look at some of them:
Mode of Operation- pneumatic grease guns operate on compressed air in applying pressure to the air piston. This in turn drives the grease piston forcing the lubricant from the coupler into the grease fitting. On the other hand, a battery-powered grease gun operates on electricity. This means that it automatically pressurizes and releases grease as you need.
Grease Per Stroke- this is a measure that determines the amount of grease that can be dispensed upon pulling the trigger. Pneumatic grease guns dispense a good volume of grease for every stroke. Battery-powered grease guns also dispense a good amount of grease even though they are not as powerful as their pneumatic counterparts.
Mobility and Convenience- even though they have a strong and consistent grease delivery, pneumatic grease guns are only limited by the hose. You, therefore, have to stay within the hose distance. Battery-powered grease guns, on the other hand, might offer that high power but they have no problem with mobility.
Conclusion
If your work involves using large-scale machines, regular lubrication is quite crucial. We agree that you can do this by hand but this proves to be time-consuming. Applying grease will be very easy when you use a cordless grease gun. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know to get the best cordless grease gun. You have all that it takes to get a cordless grease gun for your machinery!
Leave a Reply