Small Parts Washer

[Bull]

can anyone comment on this, or a similar inexpensive bench-top parts washer?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96952

I am looking for something to fill with, say, Simple Green and use in my basement to clean greasy flea market wrenches and ratchets. My current method for cleaning them is with a little hot water running out of the faucet of my laundry-tub, a toothbrush, and a spray bottle of Simple Green, cleaning and drying one piece at a time. I'd like to speed things up a bit! Maybe set one of these guys on a section of my bench.

 

[nissan_crawler]

can anyone comment on this, or a similar inexpensive bench-top parts washer?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96952

I am looking for something to fill with, say, Simple Green and use in my basement to clean greasy flea market wrenches and ratchets. My current method for cleaning them is with a little hot water running out of the faucet of my laundry-tub, a toothbrush, and a spray bottle of Simple Green, cleaning and drying one piece at a time. I'd like to speed things up a bit! Maybe set one of these guys on a section of my bench.

I have the 3 gallon version, works fine. I would bet money they use the same pump. I use solvent in mine though, can't speak to simple green.

 

[Bull]

I have the 3 gallon version, works fine. I would bet money they use the same pump. I use solvent in mine though, can't speak to simple green.

I just saw on eBay they have 3.5 gallon units, but for more money than the 6 gallon HF piece. What is the largest item you have cleaned in your 3 gallon machine? Is yours a cheap offshore model or a high dollar name brand?

 

[nate379]

I'd imagine the solvent doesn't last too long?

I have a 20 gal parts cleaner and it lasts maybe 3 months before the solvent is too dirty to be usefull.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I just saw on eBay they have 3.5 gallon units, but for more money than the 6 gallon HF piece. What is the largest item you have cleaned in your 3 gallon machine? Is yours a cheap offshore model or a high dollar name brand?

I've had pretty much everything in it. Obviously it's not quite as handy as a larger one, but I don't have room for one, so it works.

drums, rotors, heads, transmission parts, rearend gears, etc.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I'd imagine the solvent doesn't last too long?

I have a 20 gal parts cleaner and it lasts maybe 3 months before the solvent is too dirty to be usefull.

mines going on 6 years now, still works fine. I've been filtering it all through rags to get the crud out, and am working on switching to a screw on filter setup for it.

 

[MotoDave]

I have been looking at these for a while. What solvent do you use in it?

 

[nissan_crawler]

I have been looking at these for a while. What solvent do you use in it?

Mine's a steel one, I use stoddard solvent.

 

[Bull]

Do you think a steel or a plastic model would be best? I had a cheaper steel washer in my folks' garage at one time. Damn thing started rusting since the solvents removed the cheap paint from the inside.

 

[Danglerb]

Plastic one was on the clearance table at my HF for about $25, too flimsy for my taste.

I bought some concrete mixing trays ($5 and $11) at Home Depot and use them for a variety of things. For cleaning I prop one end of the tray up with a 2x4 so it drains to one end, then spray with Simple Green alternated with using a parts brush dipped like a paint brush in deep end.

Trays are also handy for carrying a load of dirty parts to my friends shop and putting them through the parts washer. Not much stands up to an hour in the power washer.

I am also thinking about rigging up a shower stall, plastic curtain I could hang around big items like a block, stick the bottom so its inside the tray, then look at using a sprayer with real force, either pump or air operated siphon ($5 at HF).

 

[nissan_crawler]

Do you think a steel or a plastic model would be best? I had a cheaper steel washer in my folks' garage at one time. Damn thing started rusting since the solvents removed the cheap paint from the inside.

Hard to say, plastic wouldn't rust, but I don't know how sturdy they are, and I suppose they would be worse in case of fire, although that might be irrelevant.

 

[Vinko]

Another option, if you don't need a pump, is a 5 gallon container with a lid. I got one from Justrite, many years ago, and Justrite makes steel cases for chemicals as well. Anyway, it as a tray that sets in it, and if you soak little things like small parts or bolts, it works well. The tray doesn't slide all the way down, so the dirt rests on the bottom.

It's like this but a bit bigger:

http://www.justritemfg.com/product....ous Liquids&max=1&bob=Utility Products&bob2=4

 

[Vinko]

this is what I have: it's called a "dip tank"

http://www.justritemfg.com/product....ous Liquids&max=1&bob=Utility Products&bob2=4

 

[nate379]

You have had the same solvent in it for 6 years?

I must just use mine more or something. At the shop I helped out at the distiller **** the bed and the solvent was complete junk in under 2 weeks... that was with just 2 full time guys and me working in the shop.

The one I have is like this, though I bought it from Habor Freight. Was around $200 I think. http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_389288_389288

mines going on 6 years now, still works fine. I've been filtering it all through rags to get the crud out, and am working on switching to a screw on filter setup for it.

 

[kartracer23]

I have the little 5 gallon one from HF. Guess I've had it 2, maybe 3 years now? So far so good. Pump works fine-and that's about all that really matters in these. I use little baskets in it an direct the goose neck into them so the parts get a supply of fresh cleaner.

I've never used solvent in it-not sure if you can. I use Purple Power because it's good at getting off the chain lube & Tri-Flow I use on my kart. And it's cheap-$12 for 5 gallons.

Here's a pic of the one I have - back in the corner.

 

[thinkracing]

If space is a concern and you don't have large items to clean, it works well. The pump does a good job.

I own the unit you are asking about and it has sat on one of my work benches. I'm going to give it to my dad. This weekend, I just bought the larger one, because I need more capacity and though space is an issue, I can make it fit.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I saw one today. It's a little flimsier than I would like, but it would probably be ok with fluid in it.

 

[PoorOwner]

whats the difference with these small units vs using a 5 gallon bucket and throw an aquarium pump in there?

 

[catmech]

whats the difference with these small units vs using a 5 gallon bucket and throw an aquarium pump in there?

I would be careful using just any pump as the seals in the pump can be damaged by the cleaning fluid. I do not know about the simplegreen but when I replaced the pump in my parts washer I did see that there were pumps for use with solvent and those that were not for solvent, I would think that an aquarium pump would not handle chemicals very well.

 

[PoorOwner]

I would be careful using just any pump as the seals in the pump can be damaged by the cleaning fluid. I do not know about the simplegreen but when I replaced the pump in my parts washer I did see that there were pumps for use with solvent and those that were not for solvent, I would think that an aquarium pump would not handle chemicals very well.

I think aquarium pumps are not that wimpy, most of them are epoxy sealed and the motor is not servicable. The impeller is driven via magnetic induction.
One would have to be careful not to use chemicals such as lacquer thinner type that will dissolve plastic.. but I guess I am planning to use milder stuff like simple green and castro. Something like a $20 maxijet made in europe might be better than a cheap chinese pump that is included with the parts washer.

 

[Vinko]

Let me ask you guys a question: what would be the purpose of a pump (besides to have a stream of solvent flow over a part), if that pump wasn't associated with a filtering system? Assuming you soak the part anyway, I've never seen the purpose of a pump not used with a filtering system.

 

[Dmar836]

All good points. I have one of the 20 gallon HF models. I use it a ton but in any washer the solvent gets oily quickly. Yet, even with just topping it off over the years,it does a good job. No one would use one alone for paint prep anyway. The more the volume,the longer the solvent stays usable. My pump quit(probably just low solvent level actually) but was messy to use, I have wanted to repair it of late to expand my options. Basically all you have is a tub with a pool of solvent under a shelf.
I also have a saltwater reef aquarium, and all my pumps have been sealed. As long as the solvent wouldn't dissolve the plastic you should be able to run anything through one of those submersible pumps. They are cheap.
Really it's too much floor space for average motorcycle parts restoration, etc. Seldom would I need much more than the bench top model.
JMO,
Dave
KC