parts washer recomendations

[skipskip]

Since we had so much fun with the cleaning tools thread, I figured why not ask about parts washers.

In the shop we used to "rent" these and someone would come by and clean out the goop once a month. does this still apply?

Or should I buy one, and use what for the cleaning solution?

thanks
Skip

[-B-]

Safety Clean get a regular aquas system not the dishwasher style power unit. Make sure if you goo for extended periods of time to ask for extra concentrate.

BTW the orange wipes the sell are the best.

[Art From De Leon]

I have a 30 gallon Arcan, that I bought from Northern, and altho I havn't used it much, it seems to work good.

DO NOT buy the water based cleaning fluid, I made that mistake, and you might as well leave it out in the rain to clean anything. I bitched to Northern, and they said it needed to be heated, so I bought one of their parts washer fluid heaters, and all it did was make the fluid evaporate faster and give it a stench. Dumped all that shiite out, and filled it full of Naptha, and have had NO more problems.

It felt really good when I beat the Northern Tools heater, AND a Northern Tools scale to death with a 8 LB. sledge hammer.

[Vulturej]

We use a Safety Kleen model 44 at work that they maintain. Its works good, but the solvent is some harsh stuff.
At home I have a Build-All SSWH1630, I bought a 30 gallon stainless drum for it and a second pump for a parts soaker I made. I use the Clean Green Bio cleaner at home and I have not had any evaporation problems with it.

[Delray]

Good old Harbor Freight. I've had mine about six years. Check with local fuel distributors for parts cleaning solvent as this can be expensive. How often you need to change fluid will depend on how much you use the machine.

[Thedroid]

Is it safe to fill with solvent and leave in the garage. I've got the water based Harbor Freight fluid in mine, and it's pretty much useless. We use safety kleen at work and it's much better.

[chavist93]

This is mine. Made by R@D in the USA and I highly recommend it. It's one of the most used item in my shop. I got mine at Northern tool, but I just checked and it doesnt look like they have this model anyore.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/chavist93/tools/P1000835.jpg

[Delray]

I keep the cover closed when not in use and I don't use grinders or torches anywhere near it. No problems yet. I imagine it's safer than a can of lawn mower gas. I would not want a garage fire either.

[Keep]

For the love of god do not buy the water based cleaner, it is worthless, rusts out your parts washer, then freezes in the winter to further screw things up. Then of course it doesn't clean anything in the first place.

I called my local solvent supplier and got a product they called safety solvent, it has a higher flash point then regular solvent and has lower fumes, cleans the same though. It does cost a bit more but for the amount I go through its worth the extra cost.

As for the washer, it just purchased a 20 gallon parts washer from my local shop supplier. Nothing special but gets the job done.

[lasteagle83]

The one I had years ago was a Northern unit - have long ago traded it off. I just used good old cheap Mineral Spirits in there, and it worked fine. As for the fire hazard, that's what the fusible link is there for....it melts, drops the lid, no more fire. Just keep it shut when not in use to help prevent evaporation and fumes.

[KCarGuy]

GrayMills is a great Company that is located in Chicago and has been around for a long time. They make all different sized Parts washers, from tabletop units to large industrial sizes.
They also sell the chemicals.
Check them out...GrayMills.
should be a web site somewhere.

[chad pickens]

Got mine at menards $99.00 bought 15 gallons of mineral spirits and I'm in business .I'm happy . How nice do you want a parts cleaner to be when your going to stick nasty gooey parts in it . This serves the purpose.I have used it almost every time I'm in the shop

[sstruckguy]

I have always went the smaller more compact route at home but have seen the goods (make that bads) of water based solvents at previous employers shops. They suck BAD!!

For a typical home shop, I suggest and use a carb dip bucket,(5 gallon) and a table top style, mineral spirits filled washer. It will do most ANY project you want to degrease. Anything left will take a trip through my lab grade, table top style, sand blast cabinet.