Torn between two parts washers

[jmarkwolf]

I have the occasional need to immerse and degrease parts (many times aluminum parts), when I can't simply wipe them with a rag.

Harbor Freight and Production Tool Supply both offer smallish (6-gallon) bench top parts washers, for approx the same price ($50).

The HF model is plastic and specifies only water based solvent be used. They also sell "Heavy Duty aluminum safe" solvent.

The Production Tool model is heavy gauge sheet metal and specifies only petroleum based solvent be used. Presumably various solvents will work in this washer.

On the surface, the better value seems the metal one, but the solvent may be more problematic to use and discard safely.

The idea of discarding "water based" suggests easier disposal than petroleum based solvents, but I don't want to buy an HF plastic one if the Production Tool metal one is the better value.

Anyone have experience with both?

How do you guys dispose of used-up solvent from your parts washers?

 

[RichWentFishing]

There is a city disposal site less than 10 miles away from me. You pour whatever into their containers. I save orange juice, milk and water jugs on a shelf and fill them up for a haul.

My fancy parts washer is a cut 55 gallon drum and an old laddle.


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[bobcatdan]

If going with any water based solution, I'd use a plastic unit. I had the standard issuse 20 gallon part washer everybody and their uncle sells including HF. I filled it with simple green washer fluid. In under three years it ate threw the parts washer.

 

[Warrenator]

Honestly, I've never used a water based parts cleaner. I use paint thinner (stoddard solvent or mineral spirits) in my parts cleaner, after use I collect in a safety can and let the gunk settle out. Add more solvent as necessary. I don't "dispose" of old solvent, I just use it and keep adding more.

 

[CutterFarms]

If going with any water based solution, I'd use a plastic unit. I had the standard issuse 20 gallon part washer everybody and their uncle sells including HF. I filled it with simple green washer fluid. In under three years it ate threw the parts washer.

Did you ever try the simple green again in a different one? How well did it work?

 

[bobcatdan]

Did you ever try the simple green again in a different one? How well did it work?

Nope. When I bought a nice little Grays mill unit off of CL, I filled it with kerosene. Couldn't be happier with its cleaning. Five gallons of kerosene is about $20 and that is way cheaper then any branded solution. As for simple green, it works fine. It will freeze soild so live somewhere warm or have a shop always heated.

 

[pelletman]

I just bought this one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201534850589

Using the tractor supply cleaning solution - about $50 for 5 gallons and so far it seems good.

 

[928'er]

I used a water based cleaner in a "Grizzly" branded painted metal (20 gal?) parts washer. Paint on the inside of the tub came off in sheets.

Do a search, you'll find that others have had similar experiences with water based "solvents."