Table or Workbench Parts Washers worth it?

[amishman]

I am considering getting a small table parts washer. I don't want one of the big 20 gallon but just the smaller 6 gallon style.

Just been doing some brake work and would have been nice to have a washer instead of a plastic bucket but, then again, maybe not.

Anyone here use such a thing and like it?

To date I use a plastic tub with mineral spirits and some brushes.

After just one use the cleaner is all nasty black and gets disposed.

Would imagine having a nice motorized cleaner makes things easier but... how goes the hassle of cleaning the washer itself. Does the mineral spirits get months of use or does it have to be replaced after just a couple cleanings.

Do the motors/pumps in these washers go out all the time too?

Just wondering if the $75 to $100 is worth it to get a motorized cleaner or just keep using my small plastic tubs.

TJ

 

[plinker]

You can buy just the pump for a parts washer and make your own parts washer out of most anything, smaller ones can be handy. The pumps I've seen hold up ok, a filter of some sort on the suction side of the pump can improve the fife of the pump.

As far as solvent life, most will continue to remove grime/grease/ete.. long after looking very dirty. Mineral spirits, Simple green and diesel fuel all work well enough. Disposal of old solvent can be concern.

The solvent in the parts washer where where I used to work was decent, the Safety kleen machine would actually recycle and filter it to some extent, not sure what it contained though. They did end up getting a Cuda parts washer which was a nice unit.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Yes, totally worth it if you are constantly cleaning stuff (or restoring old stuff like me)

I run Purple Power in mine, and bought it specifically for that since the HF washer is plastic. Purple will rust metal and it ruins paint, so be careful!

I also have a huge Gray Mills with 40 gallons of PSC2000 from TSC, but that stuff is on the weaker side.

On real nasty stuff I use the small washer with purple first, then move to the bigger parts washer for detailed cleaning.

But I am very happy with the little one and having the unit pump is so nice. I haven't used tubs full of liquid since I got the washers.

 

[WWheeler]

My neighbor has one that fits on top of a 5 gal bucket. Haven't talked to him about it but I see him when he drags it outside his garage to use it in the grass on parts that look too big for it. I figure it must work ok for him because he's been using it for a few years now.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I would not be without My 20 gallon parts washer.. The majority of grease or gunk gets scraped or brushed off a part before it goes in the parts washer for a final cleaning. It is one more piece of equipment to clean and maintain; so You will have to decide if having one is to Your benefit. For personal, occasional use; the small bench top washers would get My vote.

 

[tatra]

If using mineral spirits in a bucket , after use , pour about an inch of water in the bucket and let it sit over night . Remove the spirits without disturbing the water. Solids will settle overnight and coagulate in the water. I have lined the bucket with a garbage bag to ease cleanup . This system has been used on commercial units in years past .

 

[Mr_B]

I use an old square butler ceramic sink(picked up couple of them from a skip, a used fuel pump with the end sock filters and a diy larger debris pre filter and a old battery charger powers it .
sits on a scavenged heavy duty plastic chemical drum cut down for better work height .
Use the water trick for cleaning, system cost nothing and running costs next to nothing . Would never pay for a cleaning system unless business practise inspection made it an issue do anything else .

 

[amishman]

Well I pulled the trigger and ended up getting a Bikemaster Parts Washer. Will get in a week or so. Will report back how it works for me.

https://bikemaster.com/parts-washer-separate.html

TJ

 

[bobcatdan]

I picked up a grays mill parts washer off of CL for $35. I think it's a model 700. I like it because it's a free standing unit, but only takes 5 gallons to fill. It's big enough for me to get whatever I want into it working a skidsteers and the like. If you have the floor space, I'd at least try to find a used one as they are spendy brand new.

 

[amishman]

Test my bikemaster parts washer today. Worked well.

TJ

 

[shanny19]

Well I pulled the trigger and ended up getting a Bikemaster Parts Washer. Will get in a week or so. Will report back how it works for me.

https://bikemaster.com/parts-washer-separate.html

TJ

I would LOVE something that size that was good to go w mineral spirits. I’m just too old school i guess to buy into any water based solvents.

 

[amishman]

I would LOVE something that size that was good to go w mineral spirits. I’m just too old school i guess to buy into any water based solvents.

I am tag teaming it.... old fashion mineral spirits (but the new milky white less odor stuff) to take the big grime off. Just a splash or so in a old plastic bucket to remove the caked on stuff. Call it a pre-wash I suppose.

Then into the new parts washer for a full cleaning. That way the pump may last longer.

Then cold water rinse and onto the car they go.

TJ

 

[JRC3]

So how's this thing holding up? How's the splatter? I figure a flow valve could be easily added to the brush hose.

I see you can get them on the big A for about $106 to the door. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007GR4IQW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[JRC3]

Found this review.

 

[Xcursion88]

Get one on wheels.

You'll regret not having one that stands waist high and is movable

 

[FMB4]

I use the smaller (9 gal ?) cement mixing tub from HD along with 'LA's Awesome' brand orange citrus de-greaser and a parts brush from Dollar General. This tub proved heavy duty enough for GM 4.3 V6 heads (one at a time) and intake man, etc. I place a 2x4 under one end of the tub so that the muck drains to the other end. Total cost was probably under $15 back in 2017 (IIRC).

Note; not sure if a typical small block V8 head would fit the 9 gal tub. However, HD also sells a larger cement tub of 11 gallons or so.

 

[Htscheg]

Ive had my bikemaster parts washer for over a year, the mineral spirits wiped out the pump in mo time lol. Got a new pump, using a water based solvent and it seems to be holding up ok now.

 

[JRC3]

Ive had my bikemaster parts washer for over a year, the mineral spirits wiped out the pump in mo time lol. Got a new pump, using a water based solvent and it seems to be holding up ok now.

Mine comes tomorrow so I want to find some solvent today. I saw others who also said regular mineral spirits wiped the pump out. I've been looking for something claiming to be a "water based mineral spirits" and I'm toying with something like this...



Or maybe even regular rubbing alcohol though I know it will evaporate, but I wonder if a layer of grease and oil on top in the tank will prevent this. IDK. I'll mostly be cleaning bicycle parts so that means lots of aluminum and I've seen some cleaners like Simple Green and ZEP can damage the finish. I might try just Dawn but I see that sudsing like a mofo.

 

[cjarvis]

I have a Torin 3 gallon parts washer that i consider indispensable. The only thing I don't like about it is that the gooseneck hose has a leak near the end.

The one mod I made to mine was to add weatherstripping to the underside of the lid to keep the solvent (mineral spirits) from evaporating out, inasmuch as is possible. So far, it's been great and I've had no issue with the pump after 5 years.

 

[engineer2]

I have one of those regular 20 gallon ones. I likely only have 8 gallons of mineral spirits in it. It will last for years depending on how often you use it, how much evaporates, and how nasty the parts are. Most of the the regular ones have a fairly weak pump that pisses out your cleaner, but doesn't provide much cleaning power other than light washing and soaking.

If it get too nasty, let the crud settle, and use the old stuff to light your fire pit logs (never for a charcoal grill !!). The oil recyclers might take it too.

If I had to do it all over again, I would get a table top unit to save space.
If I built my own. I would use a metal barrel, a good solvent pump, filter, and some spray nozzles.

Safety-Kleen

Don't know about now, but in the 80's they used mineral spirits. The recycled stuff you got from their service was distilled mineral sprits. Worked great, but distilling removed all the water content, so it was hard on bare skin. It would **** the moisture out of your hands so you had to wear gloves.

 

[Craig Bernhardt]

Here's an idea for a parts washer. Get a 5 gallon bucket at Lowes or HD for $2. Buy concentrated degreaser for $5. Pour about 2 inches in the 5 gallon bucket and fill the bucket about 10 inches full of water. Bam. Cheap and easy

 

[JRC3]

Here's an idea for a parts washer. Get a 5 gallon bucket at Lowes or HD for $2. Buy concentrated degreaser for $5. Pour about 2 inches in the 5 gallon bucket and fill the bucket about 10 inches full of water. Bam. Cheap and easy

Yeah, an easy way to lose small parts. LOL And those $2 buckets cost more like $4...This aint the 90s, man. ha

 

[Craig Bernhardt]

Ok for a dollar more I'll throw in a vegetable strainer for the small parts

 

[evh]

Amishman, I was thinking I needed one just like you. I simply bought storage tote with a lid in the size I wanted. I throw my brushes in there and keep the liquid in it as well. Keep the lid on when I am not using it. When it get dirty, I let it sit and drain off the acceptable and toss the rest. I use the PSC 1000 cleaner from Tractor supply. Works well. Lasts me a number of years.

 

[Keep]

I bought a 20 gallon unit about 10 years ago. About 8 years ago I bought 5 gallons of "slow evap, low vapor" solvent. I do not remember the exact name. It has been in that parts washer the whole time and still works great. Something like 160 safety solvent.

About once every 2 years I will use the pump to drain the solvent out so I can clean the 1/2 of **** on the bottom of the pan.

I did "improve" the unit by installing a remote oil filter that the solvent runs through. Catches the big stuff, and makes the solvent last longer. I would say its doing okay for going on 8 years...lol Have to admit the first oil filter only lasted about an hour as it did a great job filtering the old solvent and promptly clogged up.