Grease, how to dispense?
#1
Grease, how to dispense?
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.
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.
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Eastern Iowa
Bikes: 2014 Trek Allant drop bar conversion, modified Schwinn MTN commuter, 2015 Trek 520, Soma ES, Salsa Journeyman, 1980 Trek 414
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.
#3
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From: Upstate NY
Bikes: Bianchi San Mateo and a few others
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.
#4
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
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0025U...LTL&ref=plSrch
Jeremy
#5
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Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Mtl.Qc.Can
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.
-- 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.
Last edited by Plimogz; 10-09-15 at 10:04 PM.
#6
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From: Southern California
Bikes: Gary Fisher Hi-Fi Deluxe, Giant Stance, Cannondale Synapse, Diamondback 8sp IGH, 1989 Merckx
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
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
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,511
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From: Boulder County, CO
Bikes: '92 22" Cannondale M2000, '92 Cannondale R1000 Tandem, another modern Canndondale tandem, Two Holy Grail '86 Cannondale ST800s 27" (68.5cm) Touring bike w/Superbe Pro components and Phil Wood hubs. A bunch of other 27" ST frames & bikes.
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.
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.
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 139
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From: SoCal
Bikes: Litespeed Classic, Surly Disc Trucker, Santa Cruz Blur
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
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0025U...LTL&ref=plSrch
Jeremy
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,266
Likes: 6
From: Somewhere in TX
Bikes: BH, Cervelo, Cube, Canyon
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.
#12
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
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.
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