Parts washer

[-stew-]

Thinking about getting a parts washer. Anybody have any experience or input on this? I'd like to keep my buy in around $100-150 for a washer and solvent. This isn't something that would get used a whole lot so I wanna keep the cost down. I may just say fuck it and buy a rubbermade tote and a couple of gallons of simple green.

[Korndogg]

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200422051_200422051

[73MACH]

http://www.harborfreight.com/20-gallon-parts-washer-with-general-purpose-pump-7340.html

[-stew-]

Umm...

yeah, thanks.

[Korndogg]

Well wtf do you want.

[Car Guy]

You should be able to find a quality used piece in your price range, you know where to look......

[Dr.Buick]

75 bucks I will sell you mine an its full like this but red

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-20-Gallon-Parts-Washer

[-stew-]

What do you have for solvent in it, Jim?


I know where to look for a new one, and I know where to look for a used one. I guess I should have stated my case better, I'm kinda more looking for thoughts and opinions on different solvents to use. Not particularly worried about something that will take paint off, but don't want something that will eat aluminum or melt my hands off. I'd also like to not stink up the joint or blow up the neighbor hood when I light up a cigarette.

[Dr.Buick]

mineral sperits

[-stew-]

Thanks Jim, I'll get back to you.

[73MACH]

...

[73MACH]

Not particularly worried about something that will take paint off, but don't want something that will eat aluminum or melt my hands off. I'd also like to not stink up the joint or blow up the neighbor hood when I light up a cigarette.

I was thinking the same thing last week while I was stoned and having a smoke while I was washing parts...I had to open the garage door for awhile. lol



mineral sperits

How well does this stuff work? This has my attention about changing my cleaning solution....

[Dr.Buick]

I was thinking the same thing last week while I was stoned and having a smoke while I was washing parts...I had to open the garage door for awhile. lol




How well does this stuff work? This has my attention about changing my cleaning solution....

Works great back when I used it! got the stuff from eh wolf in slinger

[noeggs4u]

If your worried about smell you could use oderless mineral spirits.

[The Shaolin]

I picked up a harbor freight parts washer a few years ago for $79 or whatever. It cost me $100+ to buy 20 gallons of mineral spirits to fill it. So there's your budget.

Unless you want to drain it over the winter, or you're not running any aluminum, you definitely want mineral spirits/oil based. Simple green pits aluminum.

The parts washer is flimsy but works alright. I did wrap the filter in some pantyhose to pre-filter it, and it clogs up with shit all the time that would ordinarily go into the pump...so it's a little bit of a pain, but i'd rather change the pantyhose than the pump.

[michelle]

I use odorless mineral spirits. I'm not usually tackling super greasy stuff, so a little water is added. I leave the lid closed when I am not using it, which helps with the strong scent too.

Helps clean any cuts on the hands too!

[-stew-]

Thanks for the input folks, decided to go with some scrub brushes, a tote and a few gallons of simple green. Don't wanna give up the real estate in the garage at the moment.

[michelle]

Depending on what you are cleaning, diesel and gas work well to break down stuff too.

[Haulin' Oates]

You made the right choice. I have a parts washer and I almost never use it. It's handy but for the one time per year it's needed, the space could be better utilized.

[-stew-]

And Thanks for the heads up that simple green will damage aluminum!

[Cryptic]

Unless you want to drain it over the winter, or you're not running any aluminum, you definitely want mineral spirits/oil based. Simple green pits aluminum.


I had no idea simple green hurt anything either.

http://www.simplegreen.com/solutions_faqs.php?search_query=aluminum

Aluminum - Is it safe to use Simple Green® on aluminum?
When used with caution and according to the instructions, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has been safely and successfully used to clean aluminum. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, Crystal Simple Green® Cleaner/Degreaser, Simple Green Pressure Washer Concentrates, and Pro Series™ Simple Green® Automotive Cleaner have been used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes.

[-stew-]

before...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/stewsquarenuts/2012-03-19155205.jpg

After...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/stewsquarenuts/2012-03-19162239.jpg

And a little rattle can action...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/stewsquarenuts/2012-03-19182428.jpg


Two gallons Simple Green HD diluted one to one and some eblow grease, then rinsed with brake clean. Little over an hours working time. Turned out great.

[michelle]

Looking good Stewie!

[The Shaolin]

I had no idea simple green hurt anything either.

http://www.simplegreen.com/solutions_faqs.php?search_query=aluminum


I should have clarified. Yes, you can use simple green to clean aluminum. Since we are talking about parts washers though, whens the last time you put something in a parts washer for 10 minutes? Undiluted/high strength simple green in a parts washer for a few hours will almost certainly fuck up aluminum....which is what your link says and what I was trying to get across in the first place.