In the Market for a decent quality parts washer

I am in the market for a decent quality parts washer that won't break after two uses. I have narrowed my choices down to the American Forge 32100A (http://www.asedeals.com/RangerPW.html) and the Oil Eater AOPW10175
(http://www.orangegreenonline.com/Oil-Eater-Parts-Washers-s/5.htm). I have not seen any of these units in person (but based on the reviews they seem ok). Any other input or suggestions would be great. I am not looking to spend more then $250. I do not want one of those cheap ones that rust out.

Thanks

I went through the same excercise a few years ago. The American Forge unit - call ASE and ask exactly which part of "America" that's made in. Some place near Chinatown.

Also, if you go with a water based cleaner, you'll get the best result with a heated unit, and for that you will surely spend way more than $250.

If you're not opposed to buying used, you can find something on Craigs List that will last you a lifetime, for short money. Just recently on CL, there was a deluxe used (but dirty) Snappy parts washer locally for $50 at an auto repair shop that was just looking to make room.

I have a Graymills parts washer. About $100 on CL maybe two years ago. Decent shape. Made in Illinois. Will last forever. I am also using the Graymills Agitene petroleum based solution. Five gallon can at the auto parts store was around $50 or so. Works great. Does not harm painted parts. Cleans the worst sludge easily.

Anyhow, that's my 2 kopeks worth...

=Adam=

My ARCAN that I got from Northern works well. However, it must have worked too well, as Northern doesn't have that model anymore.

Just don't use the worthless water based 'solvent' in it, not even good hand cleaner.

I got my Arcan from Sam's club several years a go and use var-sol in and it works great, I haven't seen it Sam's in a long time though. The company is still in business:http://www.arcanusa.com/ I had a creeper of theirs and wore the wheels out on it and called the toll free number and they sent a new set for free. And that is why I bought the parts washer from them.

Those parts washers from ASE look identical to the parts washers @ HF

Barrel unit is much better IMO.

http://www.alltiresupply.com/p-KT1330.html

Harbor Freight used to sell them, Northern Hydraulics does still I think.

Buy a used solvent machine. They work great, won't rust and when the solvent is done, dispose of it with your waste oil.

AntiqueCarNut said:

If you're not opposed to buying used, you can find something on Craigs List that will last you a lifetime, for short money.

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I bought this US-made washer on the local CL for $150, which is not that remarkable a price EXCEPT that the guy threw in an unopened 30 gallon drum of parts washer solvent!

nate379 said:

Barrel unit is much better IMO.

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why do you think so? what specific applications are you doing with it? (Besides washing parts )

By the way, I've got a USA-made parts washer I use to soak (and/or clean) a lot of parts at one time. But I'm finding I'm using my Justrite dip tank as lot as well. It's an 8 gallon unit. Not expensive. Good quality. (And a few safety features if you're using it in the shop and want to keep OSHA at bay).