Parts washer help?

[drabe]

I did a search and suprisingly didn't find a thread on this already!

I've been looking at getting a parts washer, probably a bench-top type (3.5 gallon) since I'll mainly use it for cleaning bearings, etc...on vintage bicycles.

My question is...is there a brand out there that you guys can refer or can I expect them to all be China made junk regardless of brand name (I think I already know the answer to that, lol)?
I've been searching Amazon (for customer reviews, prices, etc...). All the ones I've looked at are nearly identical.

Another question is what type of solution is best? I've seen bio-degradable stuff listed but I'm guessing it's useful life would be considerably short compared to say Varsal. What type/brand of solution lasts the longest?

 

[drabe]

Re: Parts washer help!

Just noticed that I should've posted this under 'General Tool Discussion', moderator please move if needed.

 

[fitz11]

Interested in this. I am looking for a small parts washer that can be used with petroleum based solvents.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Check out Safety Kleen. Probably the best bang for your buck if you don't want Chinese ****:

http://s-kstore.com/index.php/bench...-14.html?SID=621c73d29bc099cf358c264185b3463d

GD

 

[e-tek]

There have been LOTS of threads on washers and solvents over the years - the search function just *****!

Interested in this. I am looking for a small parts washer that can be used with petroleum based solvents.

I used a small one for years and it was OK, but larger peices (heads, cranks, etc) had to be done upright or in a washtub - both messy. I finally got a big one on sale at Princess Auto (HF) and for $135 it's hard to beat.

Guys have done threads on home-made ones too - half a 5 or 10 gal drum, a grate and a $35 pump and viola.

 

[egnorant]

http://houston.craigslist.org/tls/3345095755.html

I have one just like this works great!
BAC made in Milwaukee.

Bruce

 

[drabe]

There have been LOTS of threads on washers and solvents over the years - the search function just *****!



I used a small one for years and it was OK, but larger peices (heads, cranks, etc) had to be done upright or in a washtub - both messy. I finally got a big one on sale at Princess Auto (HF) and for $135 it's hard to beat.

Guys have done threads on home-made ones too - half a 5 or 10 gal drum, a grate and a $35 pump and viola.

The search function must really ****!
I couldn't believe that there wasn't any threads on the subject. If the search function doesn't find them, how else can you find those threads?

 

[drabe]

http://houston.craigslist.org/tls/3345095755.html

I have one just like this works great!
BAC made in Milwaukee.

Bruce

I did see that one Bruce but it's quite a bit bigger than what I need.

 

[drabe]

Check out Safety Kleen. Probably the best bang for your buck if you don't want Chinese ****:

http://s-kstore.com/index.php/bench...-14.html?SID=621c73d29bc099cf358c264185b3463d

GD

Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out!

 

[drabe]

Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out!

http://s-kstore.com/index.php/benchtop-parts-washer-model-14.html

$269.00!! Yikes!!

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Sounds like you want a 5 gallon bucket and a brush.

$269 for a filtered parts washer is quite cheap.

Without filtration (like the cheap $100 Chinese units) you are going to go through a shitload of solvent (which is crazy expensive for the good stuff) simply because it will be so fouled that you won't want to use it anymore. No filtration? You are going to empty the thing and clean the sludge out quite often and then what the **** do you do with what's left?

My Inland 30 gallon unit was $1200. The filters and solvent was another $1000!

My solvent is always cleen, my system is warranted for LIFE against just about anything - including pump, brush/hose, valves, lights, etc., and my solvent guy cleans my unit, disposes of the sludge, changes my filters, and is generally a valued asset to my shop. I don't have to do ANYTHING but use and abuse it.

$269 is waaaay cheap for a filtered machine with quality components. Those $100 units are worthless and they will cause you huge frustration with no filtration, cheap pumps, messy cleaning routines, and having to throw away solvent that could be cleaned.

GD

 

[Shadowdog500]

There have been LOTS of threads on washers and solvents over the years - the search function just *****!



I used a small one for years and it was OK, but larger peices (heads, cranks, etc) had to be done upright or in a washtub - both messy. I finally got a big one on sale at Princess Auto (HF) and for $135 it's hard to beat.

Guys have done threads on home-made ones too - half a 5 or 10 gal drum, a grate and a $35 pump and viola.

+1 this site needs stickies. This comes up a couple times a week. Tractor supply has a good parts washer fluid that I've been using for a couple of years. It's called something like "psg 1000"

Chris

 

[slip knot]

I got one of the cheapo HF models and after a year or two of varsol the pump melted! A good replacement pump cost more than the whole parts washer did. I may look into the Safetykleen sink model.

 

[Catalyze]

I have a HF washer that I paid $55 many years ago. It is still on the same pump. I have modified it to use a spin on Ford type of oil filter and now don't replace solvent due to trash in it. I lose about a quart each time I change the filter but my solvent is clear as water. I don't use it as someone in an rebuild shop might but for my shop uses it is perfectly fine. The cost to add a filter runs about $20 in parts.....Summit Racing for a remote oil filter kit.....some solvent resistant hose (which is not what was in this photo...later replaced with proper hose).....a brass ****** and elbow...and a filter to fit your remote filter kit.
Craig
View media item 9875

 

[drabe]

Sounds like you want a 5 gallon bucket and a brush.

$269 for a filtered parts washer is quite cheap.

Without filtration (like the cheap $100 Chinese units) you are going to go through a shitload of solvent (which is crazy expensive for the good stuff) simply because it will be so fouled that you won't want to use it anymore. No filtration? You are going to empty the thing and clean the sludge out quite often and then what the **** do you do with what's left?

My Inland 30 gallon unit was $1200. The filters and solvent was another $1000!

My solvent is always cleen, my system is warranted for LIFE against just about anything - including pump, brush/hose, valves, lights, etc., and my solvent guy cleans my unit, disposes of the sludge, changes my filters, and is generally a valued asset to my shop. I don't have to do ANYTHING but use and abuse it.

$269 is waaaay cheap for a filtered machine with quality components. Those $100 units are worthless and they will cause you huge frustration with no filtration, cheap pumps, messy cleaning routines, and having to throw away solvent that could be cleaned.

GD

Thanks for the details GD!

A bucket and a brush is what I'm using now!

I figured the cheapie units were **** and full of problems (otherwise full of ****).
Like I said earlier I'm using this strictly on a small scale and maybe only a couple of times a week, so I'm trying to justify the cost, etc...

This gives me plenty to think about though!

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Building your own may be the ticket for you then. If you have time and not money that's probably the winning combo for you. There's quite a few threads I've seen here about that subject.

GD

 

[Bull]

How do you feel about buying an older, US-made unit that might or might not have a working pump? Worth investing in, or no? Were the older USA-made models always filtered?

 

[chevy.stroker]

The best way to search this forum is to go to google and use site:garagejournal.com search terms

For parts washers use: site:garagejournal.com parts washer

It would actually be easy to put a google search link on this forum, but obviously it is the forum owner's prerogative.

 

[nine4gmc]

I have a HF washer that I paid $55 many years ago. It is still on the same pump. I have modified it to use a spin on Ford type of oil filter and now don't replace solvent due to trash in it. I lose about a quart each time I change the filter but my solvent is clear as water. I don't use it as someone in an rebuild shop might but for my shop uses it is perfectly fine. The cost to add a filter runs about $20 in parts.....Summit Racing for a remote oil filter kit.....some solvent resistant hose (which is not what was in this photo...later replaced with proper hose).....a brass ****** and elbow...and a filter to fit your remote filter kit.
Craig
View media item 9875

I have that same washer I picked up from CL for $20, it was really nasty and the pump was shot. I just finished cleaning it, painting it up and welding a permanent dolly to the bottom today. I also picked up a remote oil filter mount from a 4x4 S-10 Blazer in the junkyard, now I just need a good pump, brush and solvent. Anyone know where I may find a flow through brush and what size pump should I get?

 

[Ironhorse]

I did a search and suprisingly didn't find a thread on this already!

I've been looking at getting a parts washer, probably a bench-top type (3.5 gallon) since I'll mainly use it for cleaning bearings, etc...on vintage bicycles.

My question is...is there a brand out there that you guys can refer or can I expect them to all be China made junk regardless of brand name (I think I already know the answer to that, lol)?
I've been searching Amazon (for customer reviews, prices, etc...). All the ones I've looked at are nearly identical.

Another question is what type of solution is best? I've seen bio-degradable stuff listed but I'm guessing it's useful life would be considerably short compared to say Varsal. What type/brand of solution lasts the longest?

Graymills is one of the top not made in China brands out there...and they make there own solution...works great and you do not need to change it for years depending on how much you clean.

 

[Gregg33]

I bought a used barrel mounted SO (Build-All is OE) for $150. Made a few small repairs, got a new barrel (free from a friend) and a new flow through brush for about $15. It isn't designed for a filter, but instead is partially filled with water and the p/u is mounted higher up in the varsol. Works very good. I don't use it often, but it's a life saver for race car wheel bearings and solvent stays fairly clean. There isn't really much that can go wrong with a parts washer. Buy a used one, if the pump fails just replace it.

 

[kapster]

Drabe, Think I'm in the same boat as you looking for a parts washer. I was pushing for heated water based for health/safety but I've about given up on it. To much junk to worry about. Bacteria growth, freezing in my unheated shop, water based cleaners are expensive.

I'm liking the bench top safety kleen unit, if you look around they can be had for around $100 used. The tractor supply stuff sounds like the way to go, just hope it doesn't smell to bad. We have the safety kleen recycled stuff at work, I hate it. Stinks and doesn't evaporate.

My dad has a harbor freight benchtop parts washer, the steel one before they went to the flimsy plastic one. It's really handy, till you want to wash an oil pan, valve cover or whatever as others have said. The safety kleen unit is a nice in between.

 

[Andybull]

I found this one on CL for $200.00. It was never used, but the top lid shows it must have been left out in the Sun for sometime.

 

[Ancient Iron]

I have a HF washer that I paid $55 many years ago. It is still on the same pump. I have modified it to use a spin on Ford type of oil filter and now don't replace solvent due to trash in it. I lose about a quart each time I change the filter but my solvent is clear as water. I don't use it as someone in an rebuild shop might but for my shop uses it is perfectly fine. The cost to add a filter runs about $20 in parts.....Summit Racing for a remote oil filter kit.....some solvent resistant hose (which is not what was in this photo...later replaced with proper hose).....a brass ****** and elbow...and a filter to fit your remote filter kit.
Craig
View media item 9875

That filter setup is a mint idea

 

[Bull]

My brother and I found this one for $100.

Comes with 20 gallons of Graymills Agitene solvent, whatever that is. We'll pay $50 each and share the unit. This unit lists on Graingers (which always has crazy prices) for something like $1400.

 

[Bull]

In addition to this larger washer that my brother and I are going to share, I'm thinking about getting a smaller one to put in my basement. The idea there is that my basement never freezes, and while I have a space heater for the barn, I don't let that run when I not there, so an overnight soak of parts during the winter months isn't possible.

Are there solvents or degreasers that are going to be effective, yet safe enough and not too stinky for a basement setting?

 

[JASTECH]

Try Simple Green or Castrol's Super Clean. They both work good and smell better then stinky solvents.

 

[Bull]

Try Simple Green or Castrol's Super Clean. They both work good and smell better then stinky solvents.

Are they strong enough to dissolve old grease in bearings that has become like glue?

 

[kapster]

Bull, very nice find. I'm confused though, why can't you soak parts in the winter? Those aren't made for water based, and solvent wont freeze.

 

[skulldrinker]

---cut---
View media item 9875

I picked up one of these for $10 but the pump is shot. What kind of solvent are you using in this? and are you using the original HF pump or some other? I was thinking of using one of those $100 little giant pump and mineral spirits.

 

[JASTECH]

Bull, I think so. You can buy the Super Cleaner in 1gal. & 5gal. from autoparts stores. Just buy a gallon of SC and try bearings with agitation (make bearings mad).

 

[Bull]

Bull, very nice find. I'm confused though, why can't you soak parts in the winter? Those aren't made for water based, and solvent wont freeze.

Well, in my experience heat always does a better job of helping to dissolve grease and gunk. At least, hot water does a better job than cold water. So, even though solvent doesn't freeze my assumption is that solvent at ten degrees will do a worse job of cleaning things than solvent at fifty degrees.

But I'm not a science guy; I might be wrong.

 

[bobcatdan]

Try Simple Green or Castrol's Super Clean. They both work good and smell better then stinky solvents.

I had simple green in the get anywhere 20 gallon parts washer, it ate threw in two years. Do not but anything that is not solvent based into a metal parts washer. I wasn't too heart broken over, I only paid $40 brand new for the washer. I'm going to look at a nice little graymills part washer tonight. If I buy it, I'm going to try PB parts washer fluid, unless I find out it is a same **** as simple green.

 

[drabe]

Are they strong enough to dissolve old grease in bearings that has become like glue?

I use Super Clean all the time on bicycle bearings and it works great!
I usually let the parts soak (in a can, occasionally agitating) overnight though. I don't think I'd recommend it for a parts washer as it looses it's strength pretty quick.

I think Castrol sold off Super Clean a few years ago and since then it does seem to be more watered down than it used to be but it still works pretty good. You can get Super Clean and Purple Power (basically the same stuff, only cheaper) at WallyWorld.

 

[bobcatdan]

So I did pick up the graymills parts washer. Has anybody tried PB's washer fluid? I want a solvent based fluid. I'm not ******* around with anything like simple green again. If all eles fails I will use kerosene.

 

[kapster]

Bobcat, model parts washer did you get?Seems like the tractor supply psc 1000 is the best value, from my msds research its basically deoderized kerosene. Very similar or the same as lamp oil. I havent used it yet though, need to find a washer first.

 

[bobcatdan]

Its a HK 150. It is a free standing unit, but it only holds 5 gallons. Graymills list as an economy unit, but new they list for over $600. I paid $35 for it. For home use I think it willl be perfect. I won't spend an arm and leg to fill it.

 

[mattthomas4444]

Dont count out a small ultrasonic cleaner. If your mainly going to use it for bearings from your bikes then it will do a much better job than a regular parts washer. Although I replaced all the bearings from the motorcycle I restored, I did run each old bearing through my ultrasonic cleaner for only five minutes and they came out as good as new. You can see the dirt/grime lift off as soon as you flick the switch. I found 100% alcohol to work best as a solvent. Just a small one like this. You could probably find a used one for cheaper http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B005G3R4N2/?tag=atomicindus04-20

 

[Bull]

Its a HK 150. It is a free standing unit, but it only holds 5 gallons. Graymills list as an economy unit, but new they list for over $600. I paid $35 for it. For home use I think it willl be perfect. I won't spend an arm and leg to fill it.

If all goes well, I will be picking up an HK 150 in excellent condition this week. It will go in my basement, and the larger 30 gallon unit I am splitting with my brother will stay in his or my garage.

I am having to pony up $100 for mine; you got a much better deal. But, with the smoking deals on these used USA units, I don't know why people would rush to buy a cheapie HF model.

 

[kapster]

I'm kind of jeoulous guys, Craigslist here is loaded with harbor freight parts washers for 50-100. I missed a Zep for 50 because I was stuck on using water based cleaner. A local industrial surplus place has a really nice graymills drum style for 320, was thinking of offering a generous 150 but They usually think their stuff is made of gold. What you guys think, just keep looking?
http://www.hgrinc.com

What's pretty tempting is a new 16 gallon safety kleen washer for 343, pretty reasonable considering everyone else's. like you said bull, 1400 for that washer you bought, come on. Glorified kitchen sink on a industrial standard drum with an off the shelf pump.