Makeshift parts washer?

[NOMAD]

I will be starting to put my engine back together and would like to clean all the parts as I do it. Any thoughts on how to rig up a cheap temporary parts washer? I do not have a sink or plumbing in the garage.

I was thinking of a bucket of simple green and a plastic or metal bristle brush but was not sure if that was a good way to do it. I was initially going to use a lot of brakeclean but really don't want the fumes.

Any ideas other than a bucket?

[1320stang]

Get a cement mixing tub from the hardware store for about $10. and a 5 gallon pail of Mineral Spirits and go to town.

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[Piper]

In the past I've used an "under the bed" sweater container made by Rubbermaid. It has the benefit of a latching lid which means parts soaking can be left covered. It doesn't work really well if you want to immerse the part as it is only about 5 inches deep but it is certainly long and wide enough. They cost a bit more than the cement bucket.

Piper

[NOMAD]

Simple green a good option?

I think Mineral Spirits will fill my garage with fumes and there are two bedrooms above it.

[rsanter]

30 gal drum, cheap stainless sink and a small pump and you have a parts washer

bob

[1320stang]

Mineral Spirits fumes are heavier than air and tend to sink to the floor. If I leave my parts washer top open, as long as it's not running, it doesn't smell, not even when I'm on my creeper. A piece of paneling or plywood over the top and your good.

[Merkava_4]

Get a cement mixing tub from the hardware store for about $10. and a 5 gallon pail of Mineral Spirits and go to town.

That's exactly what I was going to suggest; I'm impressed. :thumbup:

[nissan_crawler]

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=3+gallon+parts+washer&category0=

cheap, and much easier to use.

[gotmud13613]

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=3+gallon+parts+washer&category0=

cheap, and much easier to use.


I bought one these years ago at a Flea-Market for $20. It has been a great little investment. It is great for small engine parts and smaller auto parts. It doesn't cost a small fortune to fill, I store it in a cabinet so it doesn't take up bench space until I need it. :thumbup:

[milkovich]

and a plastic or metal bristle brush

I use a lot of cheapo metal bristle brushes before welding and they leave needle like bristles EVERYWHERE. I'd be very hesitant to use one on engine parts, they'd also probably score any bearing surfaces.

Plastic bristle brushes are the way to go IMO.

[1320stang]

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=3+gallon+parts+washer&category0=

cheap, and much easier to use.

But harder to get larger engine parts into. The plus of the tub, you can let big stuff soak. After your done with the tub, or if you're not going to use it for a while, put a old T-shirt across a big funnel and pour the stuff back into the 5 gallon can to use later. This will be a two person process though. You might get some 2x4's to make a frame to sit up under the lip as it's sorta wobbley.

[Danglerb]

The cheapo 3.5 gallon washer is on my list of buy when it shows up without shipping cheap, but in the mean time I like the idea of the cement mixing tray.

Big Lots is selling Simple Green Max, a special for automotive oil and grease extra strength blend for $6 a gallon incl a free spray bottle of the stuff.

I was going to take a cheap rubber bulb siphon pump, intake hose goes in the tray with a clamp to hold it down, bulb goes on floor for foot operation, and a goose neck clamp to point the output hose into the tray.

[Yotaforce]

I baught a cheapy from Harbor Freight, but 3 years later I still use it alot. I think I paid like $70 for it. Sure I can't put a whole V8 head in it but I can put one side at a time!

[Vicegrip]

I second the cement mixing tubs. I used two. One for the primary real dirty work and the second for final rinse with a spray cleaner like Brake Clean. If you need to stop for a while put one upside down on the other and close up with some welding clamps.