home built parts washer

[garage_creature]

Hello Garage Journal, first time poster, long time lurker. I've been working in my garage for a while now on old motorcycles, but was lost without the parts washer i grew up with as a kid working on my dirt bikes in my dad's garage. I was inspired by one design I found, and copied it. Here's what i came up with:

It uses a kitchen sink, part of an old bed frame, gas pipe, a surplus military drum from Ebay, and a parts washer pump/nozzle from Northern Tool. It's still unfinished.

I'm going to wire up a $13 foot switch from Harbor Freight and make a filtration system. I also plan to seal off the hole where the drain goes through the top of the drum with a rubber grommet (McMaster Carr has them). The outlet hose and pump wiring are sealed to the side of the drum and the drum's lid has a rubber seal as well. No fumes are coming out this thing with the sink drain plugged!

It will use five gallons of Agitene solvent I bought from Grainger, which reportedly does not give people headaches after long periods of exposure. It also appears to be less toxic than mineral spirits.

I am still considering a lid with a safety latch in case of fire, which would require some changes to the spout location.

Happy tinkering!

 

[sscustom]

looking good there i had a similar design in mind but using a larger sink with two basens insted of your one
great job on yours .are you goin to paint the legs?

 

[Garage5.9]

looks good , i was thinking of doing the same but couldn't think of how it would look. Think im going to copy your design now if you dont mind. Thanks

 

[GTVi]

Maybe mount it on a "wheeled" platform, so that you can move it around the workshop...good job.

 

[Victorymike18]

Ditto on the above comment. It looks (slightly) cumbersome to move around. However, maybe you intend to keep it in one spot, which makes that a moot point.

Overall, it looks great! What was your total cost to build? Did you buy that sink, or was it laying around?

 

[willy3486]

Great job there. I love to see found objects turned into something useful. I have a old homemade parts washer that is one of my projects. I have the tub redone but this is giving me ideas on how to pump cleaner around. Seeing other tools and stuff like this is one of the main reasons if not the main one I come here to GJ. Keep up the good work.

 

[Cardboard Man]

Welcome to the forum. I echo the sentiments above - great job. I love to see people make something they need instead of buying a poor quality imported piece of junk. That should last you for years and years.

 

[scarrylarry]

Awesome job!That looks very close to something professional in my opinion.
scarrylarry

 

[kmacht]

Pretty cool looking but I have a question. Most commercial parts washers have a lid that closes. The one in the pictures doesn't appear to. When you are done washing parts won't you have a sink coverd in the washing solution? That stuff will stay there until it evaporates leaving the smell lingering? I understand that most of it will wash down the sink but unless you wipe the sink down after every use you will always have a some sitting in there. If you made a sheetmetal cover for it you could just put it on and take it off during each use. Just a thought.

Keith

 

[hilld]

The reason for the lid besides slowing evaporation is to prevent fires. Most lids are held in place with a fusable link that will melt when a certain temperature is exceeded and close the lid so the whole shop doesn't go up in smoke. You might want to think of that. Better safe than sorry.

 

[35mastr]

Nice parts washer. More info on trhe pump and the flexible spout please.

Also welcome to GJ. I am in the East Bay,Fremont area.

 

[MartyO]

Nice repurposing!

 

[garage_creature]

Thanks for the nice comments guys. I do plan to make a simple lid that I can throw on in case of fire and to keep dust out when it is not in use.

Here's a price breakdown with links to parts sources:

$35 pump/nozzle

$40 15 gallon drum from Ebay

$15 Craigslist sink

$0 bed frame and gas pipe were laying around

$45 for miscellaneous stuff from local hardware store and McMaster Carr: brass fittings, grommets, drain pipe and polyethylene tubing.

$95 Agitene solvent from Grainger

Maybe $250 is a lot but I've realized that the details make things you have to live with enjoyable.

 

[Garage5.9]

you think a 10 gallon plastic bucket with locking lid would hold up just as well ?

 

[Lotek_Racing]

Maybe $250 is a lot but I've realized that the details make things you have to live with enjoyable.

$129.99:

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

I've got one in my shop and it works great.

I get the whole "homemade tool" thing but when you get more features for less money, it makes you wonder.

 

[Falcon67]

$129.99:

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

I've got one in my shop and it works great.

I get the whole "homemade tool" thing but when you get more features for less money, it makes you wonder.

I have the blue/red HF model - works well and with a coupon was like $70. I will be putting casters on it for sure. You can't move it with even 10 gallons of wash in it.

I have been known to spend more for a DIY rig than a purchase, but hey - that's where the fun is. Excellent hack with the various pieces.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Welcome to the forum!!!!


I agree that anybody could go out and buy a parts washer for about half of what the OP spent making his, but I think he was more into the process of designing and building his own.

If you want a mobile parts washer I have the $139 one from tractor supply and love it. Thier fluid also kicks **** and dont smell funky to me.

Chris

 

[35mastr]

Welcome to the forum!!!!


I agree that anybody could go out and buy a parts washer for about half of what the OP spent making his, but I think he was more into the process of designing and building his own.

If you want a mobile parts washer I have the $139 one from tractor supply and love it. Thier fluid also kicks **** and dont smell funky to me.

Chris

Chris,You using the tractor supply fluid? Is it there brand. I need some.

 

[BigAl62]

Hey garage_creature that's a great setup! It is always good to see peoples ideas for low buck ways of solving problems. That's why I enjoy this forum - lots of great ideas.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Chris,You using the tractor supply fluid? Is it there brand. I need some.

Yes, this is the stuff and it works great for me. It Cost around $30-$35 for 5 a gallon pail from what I remember. Don't forget to use the online $5 coupon.

Chris

 

[fatboyf150]

Yes, this is the stuff and it works great for me. It Cost around $30-$35 for 5 a gallon pail from what I remember. Don't forget to use the online $5 coupon.

Chris

Sweet. Will be going to pick up some tomorrow.

 

[garage_creature]

$129.99:

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

I've got one in my shop and it works great.

I get the whole "homemade tool" thing but when you get more features for less money, it makes you wonder.

That's more expensive than mine cost me. I spent $150 before buying solvent. Add shipping to the Northern Tool one and it's $165. A person could build one for much less than I did. It just takes some creativity and resourcefulness.

I looked at a lot of those cheap parts washers and couldn't see myself living with one because of several drawbacks. I don't see any drawbacks with mine really.

For one, I'm 6'3" tall. I'd be stooping over one of those things because they are all quite short, even shorter than a standard workbench. I already have enough neck and back problems.

Secondly, their lids don't have a seal. I wanted to be able to plug the drain in mine and be confident that little or no vapors would be collecting in my garage. I've already been there, done that.

And thirdly, I found the process of building mine deeply satisfying. I'm proud of it. Projects may come and go but this will always be around. The stainless sink won't ever tarnish or have flaking paint. I couldn't say any of those things about a Northern Tool/Harbor Freight solvent tank.

Speaking of which, here's an update. I moved the spout so I could add a lid. I also added a quick disconnect to the feed line so I can quickly move the drum out from under the basin to clean the filters. Here's how it looks now with the Harbor Freight foot switch:

 

[ibedayank]

$129.99:

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

I've got one in my shop and it works great.

I get the whole "homemade tool" thing but when you get more features for less money, it makes you wonder.

add $100 for the solvent he bought and your price is...$229.99 plus tax

 

[ibedayank]

garage_creature
be aware that solvent has a flash point of only 105f degrees so the lid is a real good idea
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/GRAYMILLS-Super-Agitene-Cleaning-Solvent-7YT32

no longer being sold by grainger


as far as filtering you could use a remote oilfilter mount for a smallblock Chevy that would keep your filter cost down
like this
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MRG-7693/?rtype=10

 

[garage_creature]

I thought of using an engine oil filter like that. It would be great for cleaning engine parts with oil passages you don't want dirt in. I'd want it inside the drum though in case of leaks. For now I plan to simply drain the fluid through layers of cheesecloth inside the drum, like this:

That also keeps the pump from getting plugged up, reducing flow to a trickle. Mounting the pump up off the bottom of the tank also helps keep out the sludge that collects at the bottom. I have a small table top parts washer that would always get plugged up like that.

As for the Agitene, there is another version sold by Grainger here:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/GRAYMILLS-Parts-Washer-Cleaning-Solvent-2RE49?Pid=search

And I am planning to install a lid before it sees regular use. For now I just keep the drain plugged.

 

[Garage5.9]

is that a paint can with no bottom in side of another barrel in side the main barrel and the solvent goes in to the paint can through cheese cloth then through another can with more cloth ?

 

[ibedayank]

with that filter mount you can mount it anywhere you can run hoses to it or just leave it sitting in your drum i do not think its placement will matter
its not like your going to be driving the barrel down the road...lol

I have my eye on a 10foot long resurant prep table ... think stainless steel workbench
that has holes cut for round sauce kettles that i plan on making into a teardown/cleaning bench with a stainless sink where those holes are have to make it one hole for a sink. Easy to clean up

 

[garage_creature]

is that a paint can with no bottom in side of another barrel in side the main barrel and the solvent goes in to the paint can through cheese cloth then through another can with more cloth ?

Yep! Well sort of. The bottom of each can has holes punched in it.

 

[Mikie]

This is great, I've always thought about building one out of an old sink, using an electric 12v fuel pump, and an automotive oil filter. Very creative and nice work!

 

[35mastr]

Picked up my solvent from Tractor Supply yesterday. Now just need to figure out if I am going to use a drum or a 10 gallon rv tank.

 

[jdub63]

I just bought my 5 gallon bucket of solvent and was wondering if I could use something to displace part of the fluid so that it reaches the pump. My 20 gallon parts washer was designed for 12 gallons of solvent, so the 5 gallons didn't fill it up very much, and I don't really use enough to justify another 5 gallon bucket. thoughts?

jdub

 

[monkers]

I built my own about 10 years ago, I had the metal broke (16ga steel) at a local shop and welded it together myself. I used a spin on filter (similar to an oil filter) and I have to outlets, with a valve, one is a flow thru brush, and the other is just the spout, works good, even bought a "locking" lid hinge for the top. I like building my own stuff when I can.......

 

[sstruckguy]

For anyone that wants to use the same drum set-up as the OP, most quick lube places use that size drum for their gear lube and grease. I have talked several of my local places out of their empties for years. (free is better, right?)

If they are a franchise, it will most likely have their logo(Valvoline or what ever) on it as well. They make pretty cool trash cans too

 

[Willy-C]

How are you guys getting rid of the cleaning solvent..??

Kerosene works for general cleaning.....need to use it in a well ventilated area but it works good,low flash point, cheap to buy and mixes in with your waste motor oil for recycling when it's too dirty.....

 

[Garage5.9]

How are you guys getting rid of the cleaning solvent..??

Kerosene works for general cleaning.....need to use it in a well ventilated area but it works good,low flash point, cheap to buy and mixes in with your waste motor oil for recycling when it's too dirty.....

big *** bon fire

 

[digdug18]

I just bought my 5 gallon bucket of solvent and was wondering if I could use something to displace part of the fluid so that it reaches the pump. My 20 gallon parts washer was designed for 12 gallons of solvent, so the 5 gallons didn't fill it up very much, and I don't really use enough to justify another 5 gallon bucket. thoughts?

jdub

bricks, maybe some cinder blocks or something like that.

I'm sure you could use a pond pump, like the ones they sell at lowes/HD to make a mini fountain thing in the backyard... Plenty of pressure, and they are cheap enough.

 

[ibedayank]

big *** bon fire

trash/brush burning day

 

[35mastr]

How are you guys getting rid of the cleaning solvent..??

Kerosene works for general cleaning.....need to use it in a well ventilated area but it works good,low flash point, cheap to buy and mixes in with your waste motor oil for recycling when it's too dirty.....

Take it to work and pump it to the waste oil holding tank.

 

[35mastr]

I built my own about 10 years ago, I had the metal broke (16ga steel) at a local shop and welded it together myself. I used a spin on filter (similar to an oil filter) and I have to outlets, with a valve, one is a flow thru brush, and the other is just the spout, works good, even bought a "locking" lid hinge for the top. I like building my own stuff when I can.......

Where did you get the spout? I am having a hard time locating it locally and even online.

 

[garage_creature]

Where did you get the spout? I am having a hard time locating it locally and even online.

The spout I used is sold by Northern Tool with their parts washer pump (yes, its not pictured): http://reviews.northerntool.com/0394/15997/northern-industrial-universal-parts-washer-pump-reviews/reviews.htm