WM Grease Zerks

[WV Sawmiller]

   While washing the mill yesterday I noticed a missing grease zerk. It came out in the gun the week before while doing a 50 hour service but I had pressed it back in. Obviously did not stay. I have read on here before comments about them. Is this something I can simply replace with a new press in zerk or do I need to tap the hole and put a screw in zerk in there?  Advice from the experts her on the FF is very welcome.

[JB Griffin]

Tap it. The pressed in grease fitting is another way to cheapen their products so they make more money at the expense of their customers.

[Magicman]

Not an expert but tap the hole and screw a new zerk in. 


 


 


 


 
With a 19 year old sawmill, I have had to replace a couple that were snapped/broken off or knocked out, my fault.

[Kbeitz]

You never know until you try if the taper is gone or not...

[Magicman]

My main problem with zerks was not the zerks themselves but the grease that I was using.  I have since learned to use a #2 "high temperature high pressure" grease instead of "multi-purpose" grease.  The hydraulic pressure from my zerk unstopping/cleaning tool dislodged a couple of pressed in zerks.  I have not had a clogged zerk after using the proper grease.

My broken zerk on top of the log clamp was from using a 3/8" chain instead of my normal ¼" chain for adjusting logs.


 
This is the log I was adjusting when I broke the zerk.  I learned the hard way to always attach the ¼" chain to the log clamp and if I need a longer length, put the 3/8" chain on the log end.