Bicycle Mechanics - Syringe As Grease Gun

People who use syringes as grease gun, how do you pack the grease in the syringe? And does it work well?

I already have a tub of Park Tool grease, but I'll like to go the cheap way with regards to
using it to lube my hubs etc.

Thanks.

I picked up one of these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-oz-mini-grease-gun-93486.html
and drilled the orafice out slightly to get better flow. Works awesome. I'd assume you load a syringe like I load this, plastic spoon or knife.

I picked up one of these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-oz-mini-grease-gun-93486.html
and drilled the orafice out slightly to get better flow. Works awesome. I'd assume you load a syringe like I load this, plastic spoon or knife.

Cool. I was thinking that a little plastic syringe can do, as I only have two bikes to maintain. Anyway, last time I was at my local HF store, they did not have the grease gun in stock. Will check again.

Also, I am thinking the syringe might be the better way to go if one uses two different kinds of greases for different jobs, like I do.

Will see.

I use syringes because they`re effective and flexible in their uses. You can use a syringe to bleed brakes as well as as a grease gun.

Loading is either directly from the tube or with a popsicle stick. Nothing special needed as long as its clean.

I use dental syringes - the kind issued to those who need to clean their teeth with a combo mix of Listerine and Peroxide.

I cut off the first half of the nozzle to allow and 1/8" bead.

It's perfect for overhauling hubs and topping off hubs without making a mess.

=8-)

As to filling them, just remove the plunger and pack the grease in with a thin spatula or, as Burton suggested, a popsicle stick assuming you are filling it from a tub.

I use one of the Duelco refillable grease guns sold by Bike Tools Etc. since I need some pressure to grease my Speedplay pedals but for hubs, etc., a syringe is plenty.

Gosh, I thought everyone was using insulin syringes with 30 gauge needles. I didn't think grease could go through a 30 gauge needle.

Well for the other syringes, can't you just suck it into the syringe when pulling back the plunger? Just go slow so as not to have the rubber separate from the plunger when pulling it back.

Gosh, I thought everyone was using insulin syringes with 30 gauge needles. I didn't think grease could go through a 30 gauge needle.

Well for the other syringes, can't you just suck it into the syringe when pulling back the plunger? Just go slow so as not to have the rubber separate from the plunger when pulling it back.

That's what I thought when I saw the thread title, too.

Injection-type syringes would be tough to use except with heavy oil, and then only for precision work. A 16- or 18-gauge Luer-lock mixing needle would work best for that. For grease, a 20cc or 30cc oral syringe would be about right- not too tough to squeeze and the large orifice would put down a nice bead of grease.

(My day job is working in a hospital pharmacy- what, you thought I hung out on BF all day?)

(My day job is working in a hospital pharmacy- what, you thought I hung out on BF all day?)

Well it sure seems that way.

I used a syringe as a grease gun this past weekend as part of my bottom bracket overhaul. I picked up a small 1/2 dia plastic unit with a long plastic needle; trimmed the end to enable easy dispensing of the grease and it was off to the races. I simply squeezed a bit of grease from one of my tubes of Phil, and inserted plunger and away I went. This process afforded me the ability to control just the amount I needed, and was particularly good at repacking the bearings and retainer clips. Having this experience, I'm not going back to fingers and putty knives. BTW, the syringe cost $0.75 at my local hardware store.

I head up to the 7-11 and grab a plastic knife for the purpose. They're usually over by the hot dogs. I use a rig like CACycling, but the barrel size isn't much bigger than the syringe I use for refilling my printer cartridges, so it should work about the same.

Can one use the pre-packed 3oz grease cartridges with the Harbor Freight/Duelco grease guns? My local auto parts store has three cartridges of marine grease for sale at about $6.

If I can slot a cartridge into the HF gun, then I might buy it.

Does anyone know if the 3oz pre-packed grease tubes can work?

Thanks.