Gresp15C

So I emptied my ancient tube of Phil Woods grease, and bought a can of heavy marine grease from Home Depot. It comes in a paper cannister, about 2 inches in diameter, and maybe a foot long.

Any good ideas for a handy way to dispense this stuff while working on bikes? I was thinking of filling a big syringe with it, but other ideas are welcome.

I remember my dad would grease a caged bike hub bearing by dipping the whole thing into a can of car grease, pushing the new grease in with his thumb, thus displacing the old grease, and then reassembling the hub.

SalsaShark

You can buy a grease gun designed to dispense that tube, I have one that I use when I need larger amounts of grease in wide open places. I also have syringes of various sizes to get into tight places that I keep filled with grease as well. That being said, don't be afraid to get your hands full of grease when needed.

SkyDog75

Sounds like you bought a cartridge for a grease gun. You can use it in a grease gun, you can find a way to squeeze the grease out or scoop it out, or you could pick up a tub that's easier to get into.

Tunnelrat81

I just picked this up for greasing my speedplay pedals, and will end up using it as my main grease dispenser in the garage. It's got a small spout, is a one-hand tool, and stays clean. Quite happy with it so far.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0025U...LTL&ref=plSrch

Jeremy

Plimogz

It does indeed sound like you've got a tube/cartridge meant to be used with a grease gun, I agree. On a side note, I just this week received a shiny, new OTC grease gun with a smallish needle tip to dispense a thin, neat bead of grease in tight spots (https://www.amazon.ca/OTC-2304-Profes...otc+grease+gun & https://www.amazon.ca/Lincoln-Lubrica...4449764&sr=1-1) -- no more stuffing grease into my hubs with a flat blade screwdriver -- that said, an equally valid reason for splurging on a gun is preventing contamination of the tube (and thus bearings) from repeatedly scooping out small amounts of grease directly from the tube.

Anyway, the best way I've found of managing a big tube of grease for bicycle applications (where such a tube can last for years) is to scoop out a goodish amount into another receptacle -- I like the inside of the lid of a clean peanut butter jar: I scoop a sufficient amount of grease (enough for several interventions) into the lid and store the jar upside down; effectively using the jar as the lid.

Later, as I dig deeper into the tube I occasionally cut down the now empty section of tube with a box cutter to facilitate further scooping out -- it is of course preferable to avoid popping the end of the tube with the tab and only using the end with the plastic, replaceable cap.

As you can tell, I find it very important to minimize chances of contaminating the main supply (tube) of grease. Doing it this way, if the small amount in the lid gets grit mixed in I can just toss that little bit and be certain that the supply in the tube is clean.

Joe Minton

The grease g u n tunnelrat81 recommended is the one I use. In fact I have two of them, one of which is more tha 40 years old. Use of these g*ns keeps the grease clean, and -- they are very convenient.

I buy buy grease in a tub and fill the g**s being very careful to do so cleanly. I then seal the tub to keep its contents clean.

Never, never, ever just scoop grease out of an open tub of grease, or put any back once it's out.

Both my local bike shops leave open tubs of grease on their benches and use acid brushes to dig it out and smear it around where needed. Dirty business and destructive as hell!

Joe

mtnbke

Most of the Bicycle industry needle point grease tips or "guns" that are made available from the likes of Pedro's and Finish Line are very bad investments. They are designed to be used with 3oz screw on tubes, and they effectively represent about the most expensive way to buy grease as exists. I like to liken them to getting locked into a very expensive disposable razor after spending $20 to buy the needle grease dispensing tip, in the first place.

The intelligent way to do it is to forego all the crappy Chinese knockoffs that have lead in the tin and pot metal they use, and get a USA made/manufactured Dualco grease gun.

You can still buy your grease the expensive way, if you wish, in the bicycle industry standard 3oz tube, and just squeeze it into the refillable/packable reservoir. Purchased this way Pedro's can be up to $9 for 3oz or Park can be $7 for 4oz. Or you could buy a 1lb container of Park Polylube for about $15, and pack the grease gun for a very very long time.

Most people will want the Dualco 700231 which is available with a powder coated top, and is a time tested vacuum design. I've always thought using any other method was just throwing money away buying grease in the most expensive manner possible, small lots. Dualco does make the small heads for the 3oz tubes if that's what you want as well. They sell quality USA made manufactured stuff, that is lead free.

I'd avoid any no-name cheap chinese grease guns at price points, and anything unbranded.

grampa.sjb

I use one of Jeremy's grease guns, but picked up the longer nozzle for it (seen on the Amazon page at the "Frequently Bought Together" window. It makes it easier to get grease into some tight spots.[h=2][/h]

Jiggle

I have a bunch of 10-50cc plastic syringes with approx 3/4" tapering nozzles to a point. I cut the tips according to how large I want the aperture to be. I use these for dispensing grease, oil, tire sealant, etc....they are versatile and cheap.

mconlonx

At the shop, buy grease in the squat can and use an acid brush as an applicator.

unterhausen

you can say gun again


Is the Dualco grease gun something that is stocked by a bicycle distributor?

Retro Grouch 

Get some disposable paper plates. Squeeze out enough grease to do whatever you are doing and apply it with your finger. Then throw away any excess with the paper plate. The nice thing about keeping your grease in a tube is that it can't get contaminated with dirt or grit.

Looigi

Hallelujah.

Plimogz

Ha! a thread featuring guns and religious terms; can you feel the Eye of Sauron turning towards you?