The overall construction of a grease gun is largely the same, whichever model you choose. However, the design does change depending on the power type of the grease gun. In this section, we’ve highlighted the four main types of grease gun, and how these can be used. Pneumatic grease guns The standard features of any grease gun tool - triggers, hoses and so on - tend to be fairly consistent across the full range of options for different formats and models. In other words, nearly all the different types of grease guns look fairly similar, regardless of whether they’re entirely manual, air-fed, battery-powered, or operated with a hand pump mechanism.

The issue with both of these methods is that there’s a higher risk of introducing dirt and contaminants into your grease mixture because the bulk container is open. An unsung hero in manufacturing and maintenance, the grease gun lubricates mechanical parts to ensure the optimum performance of machinery. Designed for control and precise application, a grease gun can be upgraded with various connectors and adapters to create the perfect lubricant delivery system for each machine. They’re usually used when manual application of the lubricant would be difficult to do without completely disassembling the mechanisms involved - which can be highly impractical.Instead, many use a specific fitting to bulk load their grease guns. This has a lever and nipple to connect from the grease drum to your grease gun, filling the barrel directly without needing to remove the lid of the drum. How to purge air from a grease gun DIN - This is the awarding body of the standard, in this case, the Deutsches Institut für Normung (German Institute for Standardisation) All you need to do is attach the coupler to the grease nipple, and pump the handle (or press the trigger) to release the grease. Then, you just disconnect the coupler and move onto the next fitting. To help you understand the grease gun range and applications a little better, we've broken down a key standard associated with the product.

Once you’ve loaded your grease gun, loosen the barrel from the head slightly to allow excess air to escape. Pump until grease comes out, and then re-tighten.

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In aiming to better understand how a grease gun works, people may wonder why it’s called a grease gun in the first place. The simple answer is that the tool’s shape and basic mechanisms give rise to the name.

In the diagram below, we’ve labelled the most important parts of a grease gun for your reference. We’ve also explained what the different parts do, so you can understand how a grease gun works. Alternatively, angled grease nipples can make tighter or awkward gaps more accessible, which combined with a flexible extension hose means you should be able to attach the coupler of your grease gun firmly. It’s important to store your grease gun appropriately, as this can help extend the lifespan and ensure your grease gun is safe for use. Note: the majority of these parts are universal across different models of grease gun. However, the pump lever may look different depending on how the grease gun is powered. Where would you use a grease gun? There are several common formats for grease fittings, with the most common being a standard-sized convex shape that fits snugly against the typical concave end of a grease gun nozzle. This combination allows the grease gun to be attached easily from various angles and still make an air-tight connection, meaning fewer instances of lubricant oozing out around the outsides of the grease nipple rather than being forced into the voids as intended.Grease guns use a pressurised system to force lubricant through a grease nipple that’s attached to the joint in question (see more below). This is much easier, and cleaner, than other methods of lubricating the area. Fundamentally, a grease gun is a hand-held pumping device that delivers lubricating grease into rotary bearings and other mechanical parts that are located deep inside machinery. They do an essential job in ensuring the smooth operation of moving parts and maintaining the optimum health of a machine. Don’t mix old and new greases - use only the correct type of lubricant for the job and parts you’re working with