home built parts washer

[J Banning]

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.

Very nice dude. I think I'm gonna model mine after your design.

-B

 

[SGKent]

great idea. We found a used Safety Clean washer for a small shop locally on CL for $50 from a local guy cleaning out his garage. They are so convenient when one works on car parts. I cannot tell you how many hours of time it has saved me in the last years.

Do get a fire lid on it just to be safe. Also what you are building is better than many of the HF washers etc that when you read the fine print only work with newer water based cleaners and can't safely run stoddard solvent etc.

 

[GLOVEBUCKET]

For degreasing, cleaning and lubricating small parts and component assemblies I developed and am currently marketing a portable, enclosed parts washer that fits under a workbench or can be tossed in the back of a pickup or van. It was born out of a need to clean up bicycle components without spritzing myself and my work area with greasy spray off the end of a parts cleaning brush for quick jobs. http://www.glovebucket.com

 

[homemadetools]

This is a really clean and professional-looking design. Yeah you could've bought one for cheaper, but not of this quality. I'm familiar with the design that you said inspired you. Interesting to see you take it one step further; I imagine a lot of guys will now be copying your version. We've got it featured in our Parts Washers category: http://www.homemadetools.net/parts-washer .

 

[drmarkr]

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.

This is what I mounted my HF model on....easier/cheaper than casters. $12 before a coupon.

 

[BellyUpFish]

How long is the Agitene good for?

 

[wnstwolf]

I came across a food prep table with integral sink and knew right away it was going to be a disassembly area/parts washer. I have had this for about 10 years and use it a lot. Love the ability to use my knee to close the drain, as your cleaning and want to soak there is a lever at the front to hit and close trap and allow sink to fill up. One thing I have found is that it sits for some time and things gel up. I use a little giant pump for parts washers and for the most part found this last one to be great (over 5 years with it) after trying all sorts of cleaners I found the best balance of “it works” with “it does not eat up the motor” to be the Super Agitene. at least 5 years now with montly use and no gel or breakdown. Is stays fluid in cold winter too. I keep it right in the 5 gal metal bucket, added a wire screen that sits off the bottom about an inch, little giant on the screel fed up to my brush and the sink drain goes right back into bucket. Both pump and Agitene came from Grainger’s