Using stainless sink as a parts washer?

[ChevyCam]

I was wondering if anyone had used a stainless sink of some kind to double as a parts washer? Obviously the sink would have to be fairly large. Would there be any downfalls in doing this?

The reason I'm asking, is that I have a sink that I would like to replace and instead of having to get a seperate parts washer (which I really don't have space for), I could just use the sink as one.

Obviously I would be using something environmentally safe to clean parts with in it.

Does anyone know where I could get a stainless sink that large and reasonably priced? I was thinking the basin should be around a couple of feet wide or so.

Thanks for any help!

Mike

 

[toxicz28]

Does anyone know where I could get a stainless sink that large and reasonably priced?

That's the problem. Usually, large, stainless, and reasonably priced does not fit in the same sentence. The double bowl shallow stainless sink in my kitchen was $200+. You're describing something along the lines of commercial. Good luck on your search.

 

[bmwpower]

Look on eBay...that's where I got mine. Be aware that depending on what you're using as the solvent, you may end up etching the stainless if you're using something corrosive.

 

[mike944]

Commercial parts washers have automatically-closing lids in the event of fire. If you use an open sink, don't use a flammable cleaning solvent!!!

In the past, i've actually used an old dishwasher, set up so it would recirculate, through a cartridge-type water filter, and i used a water-based cleaner. It worked fantastic, except eventually the cleaner disinigrated the pump seals (it was kind of strong), and it started leaking. It was a freebe dishwasher anyway, so i tossed it.

 

[mjribeiro]

I considered the same thing when we updated out kitchen counters. I did use the laminate couters in my shop, and the sink was going to be a parts washer. But I still needed the pump, the hose/brush and a reservoir. I tossed the idea when I saw complete setups in HF for $100-200.

 

[bmwpower]

Commercial parts washers have automatically-closing lids in the event of fire. If you use an open sink, don't use a flammable cleaning solvent!!!

In the past, i've actually used an old dishwasher, set up so it would recirculate, through a cartridge-type water filter, and i used a water-based cleaner. It worked fantastic, except eventually the cleaner disinigrated the pump seals (it was kind of strong), and it started leaking. It was a freebe dishwasher anyway, so i tossed it.

Wow! That is an awesome idea. If you could somehow reseal the pump to make it impervious to the solvent, you'd be in business. I've seen industrial version of what you're talking about but they're several thousand $$.

 

[ChevyCam]

Thanks for the fast replies.

I wouldn't be using something corrosive or flammable. My idea was to just use a simple green mixture in it which shouldn't be corrosive to the sink itself. (At least I hope it wouldn't be!)

And yea, I figured the sink itself would be pretty pricey, but the amount of space saved might be worth it to me because alot of times I really don't have extremely dirty parts, just some I need a place to 'scrub' off.

I figured maybe I could put some kind of detachable head on the faucets to really help get into the nooks and crannies of the parts when rinsing. But yea I would still need to rig up some kind of pump if I wanted to move the solution around...

Guess I'll have to check around to see what I can find. Ebay is a great suggestion!

Thanks again guys!

 

[ChevyCam]

In the past, i've actually used an old dishwasher, set up so it would recirculate, through a cartridge-type water filter, and i used a water-based cleaner. It worked fantastic, except eventually the cleaner disinigrated the pump seals (it was kind of strong), and it started leaking. It was a freebe dishwasher anyway, so i tossed it.

And yea that is really a great idea! Hmmm I wonder if it could be modified to let the seals hold up...

 

[ChevyCam]

Actually BMWPower, do you have a pic and dimensions of the sink you picked up on ebay? Just curious...

Thanks!

 

[boiler7904]

If you're in the market for a heavy duty ss sink, there are a couple of other places to try buying one:

1. Restaurant equipment suppliers sometimes have used units or units that came in damaged and the prospective client rejected. Possible big savings if you're willing to accept superficial damage like small scratches or dents - it is a garage slop sink after all. ( I would not save a few bucks to sacrifice long term performance though. )

2. Plumbing supply houses for the same reason except they usually don't have used fixtures.

3. General or plumbing contractors renovating restaurants, hotels, school kitchens, etc. have to dispose of anything not being used. They might consider selling to you cheap to avoid hassling with throwing it away.

 

[bmwpower]

Actually BMWPower, do you have a pic and dimensions of the sink you picked up on ebay? Just curious...

Thanks!

Sure. I bought it for a couple hundred off of ebay from someone local. I don't have the measurements right now (not home), but it's pretty standard. Find some here.:

It was originally a freestanding model, but I took off the legs and dropped it into my countertop opening.

I would probably put in a ball valve under the drain instead of trusting the stopper to keep the fluid in. Too many times have I grabbed the stopper by accident and down goes my wash water.

If you want to segregate 2 fluids, the sink is easy enough to stick a 5 gallon bucket in, fill it with a certain solution and still have some room to fill the surrounding area with another solution (like a rinse). I love it. Easily one of the best ideas I found on here (thanks again to BoostAddiction).

Also, these commercial sink come in 2, 3 and 4 basin units, with and without drainboard (like mine). Seems like the bigger ones go for less since they're so big, so depending on the amount of area you can spare, you could probably get an even better deal.

Boiler is right, there are other places to get these. For me it was a no-brainer since the guy lived right around the corner from me.

 

[ChevyCam]

That looks really awesome bmw, thanks! And you and boiler are right, I'm sure it would be possible to find someplace local that deals with commercial sinks and catch a deal on rejects or new stock. I'll definately have to do some research.

I do have a decent sized counter, so a fairly wide sink should work, I'm just wondering at what point you can still mount them safely in the countertop without the legs. Those really big ones look pretty hefty.

Thanks again guys.

 

[bmwpower]

Glad to help.

Yea, you definitely don't want to ship one of these things.

You'd be surprised how light they are. I can pick mine up without any problems, just awkward. Big ones might be a different animal, probably heavier gauge. Worse comes to worse, drop the sink in and reattach the legs and/or cut them to the right length.

 

[autoist]

Used restaurant supply houses have them pretty reasonable.

 

[BoostAddiction]

I'm using my 2-hole sink for just that purpose. I wanted two sinks so that I could soak in one and rinse in the other.

I use a non-flammable cleaner that is very powerful (it takes the oil right out of your pores if you get it on you at full strength) but very safe as it has no solvents or anything else that gives the EPA the heebie-jeebies.

THe pic below shows the new faucet which helps in cleaning.

The sink is mounted in Corian, which is great for cleanup and stain resistance, as well as having the all-important "good hand".

I got the sink from a restaurant supply company and am pretty satisfied with it.

As a side note, I recently visited a house (well, a mansion, really) that had stainless steel sinks and countertops. They were about 50 years old and were in superb condition. It made me feel a little better- if mine last that long they will have outlived me!

-Will

 

[ChevyCam]

Will,

That looks really great!


Do you guys put anything on the bottom of the sink like a grate to keep the parts from scratching the bottom? Also do you have any filters on the dirty water going down the drain to prevent clogs, etc?

Thanks!

 

[69lkmno]

http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...&seller=1&sass=galasource&fsop=3&fsoo=2&fgtp=