Author Topic: Anyone have a solvent based parts washer? (Read 1666 times)

q2418130103p · « **on:** March 11, 2011, 07:07:56 AM »

I have some gift cards to HF, about $100 worth. I havent decided on what I want to get, but I was thinking about a parts washer.

Does anyone have a solvent based parts washer? What are they good for? What kind of solvent do you use? How do you dispose of the solvent?

Really? · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2011, 07:21:40 AM »

Tagging along.

faux fiddy · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2011, 01:49:48 PM »

The one we use is a home spun thing. It has an upper area (plate) that the part sits on, and the return is just a seep arounf it that is where the solvent returns to the reservoir.

It's great, the solvent is filtered. Turn on the switch and you have flowing solvent when you want it. I usually use a plastic gallon ice cream or butter tub to fill and then soak things, or just so i don't forget to turn it off.

Most of the cleaning is still done with a brush, but having it as a central place to do your cleanup and splashing around is great, instead of using assorted pans and whatnot. No more mess mess everywhere, just one spot. I think if you do much tearing down of anything greas and YOU HAVE SPACE TO PUT IT, it is something you wouldn't want to do without.

CycleRanger · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2011, 01:54:08 PM »

Quote from: q2418130103p on March 11, 2011, 07:07:56 AM

Does anyone have a solvent based parts washer? What are they good for? What kind of solvent do you use? How do you dispose of the solvent?

Does a bucket filled with gasoline and an old tooth brush count?

Bonus, the dirty gas kills the weeds real good out behind the garage.

kirkn · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2011, 01:56:27 PM »

Quote from: CycleRanger on March 11, 2011, 01:54:08 PM

Quote from: q2418130103p on March 11, 2011, 07:07:56 AM
Does anyone have a solvent based parts washer? What are they good for? What kind of solvent do you use? How do you dispose of the solvent?

Does a bucket filled with gasoline and an old tooth brush count?
Bonus, the dirty gas kills the weeds real good out behind the garage.

oops - have you been spyin' on me?

MCRider · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2011, 02:10:35 PM »

I rented an official one from SafetyKleen, the small one on the left.

http://www.safety-kleen.com/products/CleaningEquipment/Pages/SolventPartsWashers.aspx

I thought that I'd have all my parts for Phaedrus cleaned easily in 3 months. This was back in 2000.

Anyway... I told them to come pick it up after 3 months. I called them 3 times. They never came, they never billed me again. So I still have it, and love it.

All sorts of eco freindly solvent available, though you could just use kerosene. I bot 10 gallons of ecofriendly stuff at Graingers just recently for $60 to $80 or so. A lot easier on your hands, still does a pretty good job. We have a city run toxic dump for it when its ready to dump, for free (well you know its part of the property tax).

Make an effort to only put mostly clean parts in to begin with and the solvent will last a long time. Wipe them off or hose them off first.

q2418130103p · « **Reply #6 on:** March 11, 2011, 02:19:47 PM »

So what do parts look like before and after? How much crap really comes off?

MCRider · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2011, 07:28:01 PM »

Quote from: q2418130103p on March 11, 2011, 02:19:47 PM

So what do parts look like before and after? How much crap really comes off?

Depends on how hard you scrub.

Dirty dish goes in the dishwasher, comes out clean. Wife won't let you use the dishwasher? use your parts washer.

Baked on crud needs a soda blaster or wire wheel.

Kframe · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2011, 09:56:11 PM »

To get rid of the old solvent/gas we used to just pour it on an old block of wood that used to be our log-splittin' stump before it got too chopped up. That gas soaks right in but never makes it into the ground.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2011, 11:40:22 PM »

Quote from: Kframe on March 11, 2011, 09:56:11 PM

To get rid of the old solvent/gas we used to just pour it on an old block of wood that used to be our log-splittin' stump before it got too chopped up. That gas soaks right in but never makes it into the ground.

wooo weeee

faux fiddy · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2011, 11:58:22 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on March 11, 2011, 11:40:22 PM

Quote from: Kframe on March 11, 2011, 09:56:11 PM
To get rid of the old solvent/gas we used to just pour it on an old block of wood that used to be our log-splittin' stump before it got too chopped up. That gas soaks right in but never makes it into the ground.
wooo weeee

Yeah, HE HE..And light it in FIIIRRRREEEE!!! yeah, he he hehe uhuh..

faux fiddy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2011, 12:04:09 AM »

Quote from: MCRider on March 11, 2011, 07:28:01 PM

Baked on crud needs a soda blaster or wire wheel.

Wire wheels rock other than they are abrasive and they throw wires out in all directions, including towards your eyes. I find myself carelessly blowing off taking the time to find the saftey glasses. Maybe someday I will see the light before it's too late.

Really? · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2011, 08:45:22 AM »

Quote from: tree fiddy of industry on March 12, 2011, 12:04:09 AM

Quote from: MCRider on March 11, 2011, 07:28:01 PM

Baked on crud needs a soda blaster or wire wheel.

Wire wheels rock other than they are abrasive and they throw wires out in all directions, including towards your eyes. I find myself carelessly blowing off taking the time to find the saftey glasses. Maybe someday I will see the light before it's too late.

Wear shoes in the garage until after you sweep out the garage when you use the small wire wheels. Kinda hard to get them out of your feet when you can see them but sure can feel them.

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #13 on:** March 12, 2011, 08:51:41 AM »

I'm running kerosene in my Harbor Freight washer. Not the strongest solvent but I've had no problems and the fumes are minimal. Thought I'd have to drain it but I got lazy since it wasn't very aromatic. Attached garage.

faux fiddy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2011, 02:15:50 PM »

Quote from: Jerry Rxman Griffin on March 12, 2011, 08:51:41 AM

I'm running kerosene in my Harbor Freight washer. Not the strongest solvent but I've had no problems and the fumes are minimal. Thought I'd have to drain it but I got lazy since it wasn't very aromatic. Attached garage.

I used to work at a gas station that sold solvent at the pump. Not sure if they still do, might have to look into that, it's time to change it out.

MCRider · « **Reply #15 on:** March 12, 2011, 02:30:27 PM »

Quote from: Jerry Rxman Griffin on March 12, 2011, 08:51:41 AM

I'm running kerosene in my Harbor Freight washer. Not the strongest solvent but I've had no problems and the fumes are minimal. Thought I'd have to drain it but I got lazy since it wasn't very aromatic. Attached garage.

I was going to ask...what, no wife? Then i saw your signature.

My wife can smell kerosene at 100yds.

faux fiddy · « **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2011, 12:12:28 AM »

I had a friend who used gasoline in a marine commercial fishing application where he should have been using a cat diesel. His wife that fished with him didn't like the smell of diesel or burning diesel.

q2418130103p · « **Reply #17 on:** March 13, 2011, 12:21:04 AM »

So, for those of you with a part washer. Would your rather have the part washer or a blasting cabinet?

faux fiddy · « **Reply #18 on:** March 13, 2011, 12:43:52 AM »

Both. Wash and then blast, but then there are drawbacks to blasting. Blasting is not perfect for all surfaces and is more abracive. Material does go away, and the beads are not good for the inside of an engine. I wouldn't doubt that other than the surface texture left by blasting any part that has ever been blasted has forensic remains of the material, which is abrasive. I have access to a cabinet at a machine shop that is glass medium, the second one at the other shop being set up is going to get walnut shells- they clean up easier without abrasive residue. ( Granted, I read they they are less affective.)

Washing is more gentle and other than having things become unpainted or metrosexual shiny, there is not much need for blasting certain parts.

MCRider · « **Reply #19 on:** March 13, 2011, 08:03:13 AM »

Quote from: q2418130103p on March 13, 2011, 12:21:04 AM

So, for those of you with a part washer. Would your rather have the part washer or a blasting cabinet?

The parts washer is all weather, ready to go. I do soda blasting in the driveway. can't reuse the soda, no need for a cabinet.

I couldn't do without either.

boatsdickson · « **Reply #20 on:** March 14, 2011, 08:40:14 AM »

I firmly believe in having a solvent tank. Yur HF bux will b well spent. There are uncountable uses for it and it saves sooo much time. I think mine cost in the 60-80 $ range and is only a 3 gallon model. First motor I tore apart paid for it tenfold. A larger tank would b nicer for cases and large items but smaller parts are my norm anyway. The solvent I use comes 5 gallons at a time and is still under 40 bux with current inflation.142 solvent is what the lable says and last a good season if excess debris is knocked off b4 soaking. For disposal I either give it to a stump burnin friend or light my own bonfires. Besta luck to ya.

q2418130103p · « **Reply #21 on:** March 14, 2011, 11:08:54 AM »

Quote from: boatsdickson on March 14, 2011, 08:40:14 AM

I firmly believe in having a solvent tank. Yur HF bux will b well spent. There are uncountable uses for it and it saves sooo much time. I think mine cost in the 60-80 $ range and is only a 3 gallon model. First motor I tore apart paid for it tenfold. A larger tank would b nicer for cases and large items but smaller parts are my norm anyway. The solvent I use comes 5 gallons at a time and is still under 40 bux with current inflation.142 solvent is what the lable says and last a good season if excess debris is knocked off b4 soaking. For disposal I either give it to a stump burnin friend or light my own bonfires. Besta luck to ya.

If you have the time some day could you snap a before and after pic?

boatsdickson · « **Reply #22 on:** March 14, 2011, 08:40:54 PM »

Rear Shot Dirty

Rear Shot Cleaned with solvent and brush

Top Shot Dirty

Top Shot Clean

Yeah guys It was all disassembled before scrubbin

There are times when that table is pretty full of pieces parts

q2418130103p · « **Reply #23 on:** March 15, 2011, 04:30:47 AM »

Cool, thanks for those pictures. Those parts seemed to clean up real nice.

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Author Topic: Anyone have a solvent based parts washer? (Read 1666 times)