Tool Shop Parts Washers

[D45]

I acquired a part washer, that I assume is an older harbor freight product?

#261-1002

It's a Tool Shop brand....all white

Was sitting in the box in barn, for about 7 years

It was free, so I had to say Yes! I am going to unbox it and put it together

What's a good, mid level washing agent to use?

 

[bobcatdan]

I would go with something petroleum based. Tractor supply has parts washer fluid that is suppose to be ok. Personally I have kerosene in my parts washer. I wouldn't recommend something like simple green or power purple. I had the exact parts washers as you filled with simple green. In about two years it ate threw the parts washer.

 

[BarryWells]

I use mineral spirits in mine. It's a 40 year old Safe-T-Clean deal. Big enough for a 6 cyl head

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

Tool shop is a Menards brand. Kerosene and mineral spirits works good and doesn’t freeze

 

[D45]

Menards, yes!

I am anxious to see what kind of cleaning nozzle or wand comes with this

I have always felt that a bristle brush want works the best, but most is just a plain nozzle

 

[clubairth]

Use what you want but TSC has what they call PCS 1000. That's Parts Cleaner Solution 1000. About $40 for 5 gallons. I put 10 gallons in my HF parts washer 4 years ago.

When you use an actual parts cleaner solution you will see how much better it works right away. No smell, no evaporation and very easy on your hands. I got a set of gauntlet gloves from HF that I keep with the tank. The amount of **** it can hold in solution is amazing. As it sits the crud falls to the bottom and sludge builds up. So I try to power wash any real grimy stuff and use my parts washer as a soak tank.

I did add a extended bristle brush as the HF tank only comes with a metal flexible nozzle that is not very long. Also put a ball valve in place of the tank drain plug for future fluid swaps. Also kept the 5 gallon metal cans in case I want to drain/service the parts washer. Finally the best mod was adding a HF large furniture dolly as a rolling base for the parts washer.

Even more surprising is the cheap water fountain pump that HF uses has held up well. It won't if you use other solvents so be prepared to replace and hopefully upgrade the pump. Reading Garage Journal had me convinced that the pump would not last but if you read ALL the people having pump failures refuse to use the right parts cleaner solvent and use all the home brew junk!

Be sure and DON'T use any water based junk. You will be fighting rust from here on out.
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[D45]

Thanks for the tips.....especially about water based solution

I definately don't want it to freeze on me

I saw a video also about adding an external bypass spin on filter kit.....not sure about that yet

I assume just changing the pump filter frequently helps.....they seem to be very inexpensive

Anyone add a particle magnet or two to the bottom of the tank?

 

[matt_i]

I've done the external oil filter route, I picked a giant oil filter off the shelf at the local parts place and machined an adapter to work with it. I also try not to abuse the solution by dumping loads of **** into it which could just as easily be scraped off onto cardboard or newspapers.

I also use and recommend the Tractor Supply/Crown PSC parts washer solvent. If you are filling a large washer you might have to hit a couple stores as they don't always have the store inventoried with ~5 containers of the stuff.

 

[lis2323]

I went the filter route also.




I use petroleum products under different names. On the farm it was always known as Stoddard solvent or Agricultural Weed Killer No. 1 from Shell Oil back in the 1950’s.

 

[D45]

The tank and shelf is mounted to the legs......went together pretty easy. I used blue Loctite on everything

It's pretty solid and sturdy

Even sitting in a barn for many years, it cleaned up very well

Need to mount the pump and run an outlet in the area of my garage where it will be positioned

 

[D45]

For $20 shipped, I found a bypass filter mount

Need to get a filter for it and some hose.....i assume just hose barb fittings with rubber hose?

 

[The Lazy Destroyer]

That looks pretty good for being free!
Nice score!

 

[lis2323]

Yes! (For hose barb fittings and rubber hose.)



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[DFB]

Who ever thought WHITE for cleaning greasy parts

Agree...good looking unit for the price

I also use the Crown PSC from TSC

 

[sberry]

My solvent was really pitiful a while back. Cleaned out, new juice full. It had a suction screen but I put a ring of pipe around it so it had to settle and enter over the top.
I moved the shelf up an inch to allow the pallet jack to go under and did put a valve on the drain. It's really not a deal though as the way to remove fluid is to pump it off. I scoop the gunk off, really just a little final clean thru the drain. I suspect that's why no factory valve.

 

[sberry]

This is a thing with well designed long time tools. At first glance we say why,,,, why didn't they etc, why no valve, why no filter from the factory on good models, they got book learned engineers, read the manual for the procedure, says place pail.

 

[Rickster55]

I've just started looking for a small cleaner (no more than 5 gallons) and everyone I've looked at said to use a water based solvent only. Is that because of the pump?

 

[dkmc]

Havn't changed my solvent in some years now, but I'm gonna try the TSC stuff soon.
Wanna add a spin on filter to it also.

A couple more tips...
NAPA sells plastic liners for the round barrel style washers. They or someone else might also sell liners for square or rectangular style rigs. They look like trash bags, but solvent won't dissolve them.

So with the liner in the barrel, you put 3-5 gallons of water in first (you could put it in last, don't matter) then the solvent. The solvent floats on top of the water, and the dirt settles down thru it and sinks in the bottom with the water. Keeps the solvent way cleaner. To clean, you pump off the solvent, maybe just into the water a bit. Then pump off the water as best as possible, and lift out the liner with all the dirt and guck in it.
Simple and easy. Preserves the inside of the metal barrel as well.

 

[RedneckWelder]

We tried the filter route and for us they clogged a lot. Best thing is the screen in the drain back to reservoir, clean the chunks out of it and keep on rolling. Ours are serviced by safety kleen

The best thing is as mentioned above take components out and pressure wash as much of the nasty as possible

 

[DFB]

I've just started looking for a small cleaner (no more than 5 gallons) and everyone I've looked at said to use a water based solvent only. Is that because of the pump?

Ya that's because of the pump but normally they don't get specific why, possibly because the o rings or the pump body material but many use them along with mineral spirt solvents without any problem.

My bench top HF unit is the same way...

IMHO probably more for liability

 

[Rickster55]

Ya that's because of the pump but normally they don't get specific why, possibly because the o rings or the pump body material but many use them along with mineral spirt solvents without any problem.

My bench top HF unit is the same way...

IMHO probably more for liability

Thanks!

 

[abachman]

I highly recommend putting a valve with a short extension on the bottom to be able to drain the tank periodically.

 

[D45]

Drain plug is M14 x 1.50MM

Super silly.......found a nice drain valve on eBay with these threads for $11 shipped

 

[rtz]

I was very surprised to see that fountain pump in the HF parts washer. What have you all found for a replacement solvent compatible pump?

 

[D45]

Drain valve arrived

 

[bmxdarcy]

What do you guys do to dispose of the old solvent? Or do you just try to separate the gunk?

 

[Green Hell Mustang]

I highly recommend putting a valve with a short extension on the bottom to be able to drain the tank periodically.

Definitely do this. I should have done this with mine and am regretting it now.

Edit: I see it's already been done. Good work!

 

[coljar]

I use Varsol. It's still available across the river from me at an old time gas station pumped into my gas can from an old gas pump around back.