Lubricating Equipment

Oil Can

SIZE: Capacity: 3fl. oz to 2pt.

MATERIAL: Tinplate, plastic

USE: To apply oil to an oilstone or lubricate moving metal parts

Oil cans range from simple plastic or tinplate containers which pump the oil through the spout by squeezing the sides or base of the container, to cans which incorporate a thumb-operated pump.

Pumped oil cans are more suitable for lubricating machines as they can be used at various angles and incorporate long spouts which reach into confined spaces.

The bench oil can is commonly used in the workshop to apply oil to sharpening stones. The spout is closed or opened by turning the valve.

An oil syringe is used to pump large quantities of oil into reservoirs such as a car transmission. The flexible plastic spout means the syringe can fill through side filler holes

Grease Gun

SIZE: Capacity: 1 to 29oz.

MATERIAL: Handle: steel; Delivery tube: steel or nylon

USE: To force grease under pressure into a bearing

You need pressure to force thick grease into the tightly fitting parts of a bearing. Small grease guns which are designed to deliver soft grease, are operated by pumping the body of the gun. Larger guns, for heavier grease, are operated by levers or triggers.

The grease is either loaded as pre-packed cartridges or must be packed into the container from a can. The nozzle of the gun fits on to a valve known as a grease nipple, which has a spring-loaded seal. Wipe the nipple clean before fitting the nozzle to keep dirt out of the bearing.