Parts washer

Can someone tell me a good place to find a parts washer and chemicals? I'd like to have a heated but I think that might cost to much. I have looked at some real cheap ones but they just seem too cheap to take-up room in my shop.

I have a 20 gallon one I bought at Harbor Freight some 6+ years ago. It easily holds one cylinder head, maybe 2 at a time if you are only soaking them. I rarely clean it out on a regular basis, and have not had any pump problems, but it still keeps working when I need it. Mineral Spirits is a good cleaner, but expensive if you aren't careful about cleaning big chunks off before you drop stuff in. I have used Purple Power in mine and it works good, but you really need to use gloves with it! There is also some stuff called "Awesome Cleaner" available at the local dollar stores in a 1/2 gallon container that works very well. I use it very often, and seems to hold up fairly well. Whatever cleaner you buy, get it in as large a container as possible to save money, and save the container so you can drain it back out for cleaning purposes.

I normally run about 10-12 gallons in mine, but have a couple big chunks of steel in the bottom to displace some volume and raise the level. Harbor freight typically runs sales on them every couple weeks and you can save 30-50% when they are are sale. I think mine was around $69 on sale.

This is a current ad for one like mine...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=7340

I have seen those before and might be what I end-up getting. I would like a little nicer one though with the heater and light maybe.

I thought we had someone on the website that sold these types of items.

I think Craig Sullivan sells some washers.

I'd think twice about having mineral spirits in the garage like that. I've also heard good things about the all natural based cleaners. They are not flammable and do not stink the place up.

Is your water heater in your garage? If so, is it gas?

jbozzelle wrote:I think Craig Sullivan sells some washers.

I'd think twice about having mineral spirits in the garage like that. I've also heard good things about the all natural based cleaners. They are not flammable and do not stink the place up.

Is your water heater in your garage? If so, is it gas?

No water heater in my garage, but I enjoy welding and grinding!

It looks like I'll just get my bro to pick-up a washer from HF this week. I probably want to go solvent base since from what I have read that the "water base cleaners work just as good with a heated parts washer". Yet I don't want to worry about starting fires in my shop and burning down the house.

Would Hydroseal II work in a parts washer?

the harbor freight units dont have the brush that flow solvent I dont think... and they are a nice option. sometimes the good ones pop up on craigslist from time to time...

138 wrote:the harbor freight units dont have the brush that flow solvent I dont think... and they are a nice option. sometimes the good ones pop up on craigslist from time to time...

You can add the flow through brush for very little additional cost. That's what I did, got it from my local Carquest.

jbozzelle wrote:I think Craig Sullivan sells some washers.

I'd think twice about having mineral spirits in the garage like that. I've also heard good things about the all natural based cleaners. They are not flammable and do not stink the place up.
Is your water heater in your garage? If so, is it gas?

True, it does smell, and there is a real safety issue.

I found the company safety-Kleen, I'm going to call and see if they have any thing cheap.

industrial companys like that are usually far from cheap...but you never know you might get lucky
I found this unit for 100.00 dollars on craigslist

I've had this one for about 10 years or so...no problems. It isn't heated and doesn't have a light though. But, you guys have me a little concerned about the whole mineral spirits thing, as this is what I have always used. Are the vapors flammable or something?

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tools/parts-washers-accessories/black-bull-parts-washer-with-stand-20-gal--3893999

I've had mineral spirits in mine for 20+ years ,no vapor problems as long as you close it after use. I cut and weld ,grind basically everyday. I may blow myself up tomorrow ,but I've never had a problem and know a lot of shops with them too.