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parts washer

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Dean Mn

12-27-2003 14:14:04




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I have been contemplating on buying a parts washer for the past year. Both Menards and Northern tool sell a 20 gallon washer for about 75 dollars which I consider very reasonable.The problem is that the cleaning solution that they sell goes for about 12 dollars a gallon which translates to 240 bucks for the solution. Any reason why I shouldn't use mineral spirits instead for about 3 bucks a gallon?

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Dean Mn

12-28-2003 06:51:57




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 Re: parts washer in reply to Dean Mn, 12-27-2003 14:14:04  
Thanks for all of the info to each one of you!



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John K

12-28-2003 01:59:38




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 Re: parts washer in reply to Dean Mn, 12-27-2003 14:14:04  
My parts washer holds about 20 gallons all so. I use 10 gal of varsol and 10 gallons of water. the pump sits up off the bottom, above the water layer but in the varsol layer. The design of the system is that the varsol is pumped but not the water. The water's purpose is to trap the dirt and crud off the parts being cleaned and being lower than the varsol, it is not recirculated. If I use the parts washer for an extended time in one sitting, the varsol will be discolored only from the crud removed at that sitting. If the parts washer pump is off for about 15 minutes, the crud settals to the bottom and the varsol becomes clear again. I am surprised that no one mentioned using water as a filtering agent. My washer is a commercial unit but I'm sure that the bigger units mentioned could do the same. If more info is requested, I can give measurments.

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Slowpoke

12-30-2003 20:42:40




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 Re: Re: parts washer in reply to John K, 12-28-2003 01:59:38  
Does your sink sit on a barrel, and if so, what size is the barrel? How far above the water is the pump bottom?
Unfortunately, this system won't work with the newer water based cleaners.



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John K

12-30-2003 23:12:42




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 Re: Re: Re: parts washer in reply to Slowpoke, 12-30-2003 20:42:40  
My washer is about 18 inches deep by 36 inches wide and about 36 inches tall. The sink section sits down about 10 inches into the bottom section decribed above. The bottom section is covered by a thick polly bag to fit the lower section. On top of the polly sat a portable alluminum cone about eight inches high, the top 4 inches of the cone had slots so that the varsole could enter for the pump. The cone also sheilded the pump from crud falling on it. The pump was installed in the cone in such a way that the bottom of the pump was about 4 inches above the bottom of the tank. I would put water in the tank until it was about 1/2 inches below the tank, this would allow for a bildup of crud (raise the water leval) and not be picked up by the pump. I then would put in enough varsol to cover the pump by about 1 inch. Notice that I use the past tense about the cone, it corroded away in the water after about 20 years. Not able to find a cheap replacement, I believe that I used a 1 gal icecream bucket tipped over 180 degrees and monted the pump under the now top. Did not worry about it being a flat top and cut slits in the upper half for the varsol to enter. Very important to cut slits at the top for air to escape so that the pump is submerged. I use my washer about 2 hours a week mostly at one time or two. I have only changed the liquides 3 times in the past 30 years. The first time I changed all the liquids. The next two times I got smart, pumped off the varsol into a container then removed the slug or crud. Then I would put in new water to the level as stated above put the used varsol back in and top up as nessicary. From time to time I have to top up the varsol as when I use the washer, the parts slowly wick away the varsol. At no time have I ever gotten water into the pump from the above arangement. It should not take much to modify the bigger parts washers to acomodate using water as a filtering media, as it is only a mater of raising and proctecting the pump from the water.

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Slowpoke

12-31-2003 10:28:45




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: parts washer in reply to John K, 12-30-2003 23:12:42  
I saw two cleaners like yours at a school district surplus sale, but didn't look in the bottom for the pump set up. I think they went for about $40 each. I'd like to try your design in my barrel type cleaner. Rather than cutting slots in the cone sides, I would leave a small hole at the point of the cone and place another very short cone an inch or so above the hole. Or maybe a U shaped copper tube soldered in the hole. That would let out the air and protect the pump from falling crud. Thanks for the info.

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John K

12-31-2003 19:45:18




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: parts washer in reply to Slowpoke, 12-31-2003 10:28:45  
Your welcome let me know how you made out



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Slowpoke

12-31-2003 20:18:58




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: parts washer in reply to John K, 12-31-2003 19:45:18  
Don't hold your breath; the shop foundation hasn't even been poured yet. For some reason, I always find good deals on tools and equipment before there's a place to put them except storage. But I guess that's better than an empty shop.
Happy New Year....



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John K

01-01-2004 08:52:55




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: parts washer in reply to Slowpoke, 12-31-2003 20:18:58  
Sounds like me. I bought 20 acres a year ago and still don't have a shop or for that matter no house also. Acerage is 15 miles south on a major hiway of where I live. I finally had to buy a sea-can 8x40x9 to put most of my stuff in, container is all most full and my garage is half empty. I even bought a new NH 75 HP tractor a TN75S for hay work but most importantly for clearing the 1000 foot drive way which has a really good rise. It is sure fun using it, sure brings back a lot of memories. Best wishes in the new year.

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partsguy

12-27-2003 18:29:14




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 Re: parts washer in reply to Dean Mn, 12-27-2003 14:14:04  
dean, go to your parts store..cleaning solvent for partswashers is about 36.00 for 5 gallons..the thing is you don't need 20 gallons of solvent in your washer..five gallons is plenty because it is constantly pumped through..one thing i would look for is a washer hose with the brish attatched..partsguy.



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RusselAZ

12-27-2003 17:00:38




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 Re: parts washer in reply to Dean Mn, 12-27-2003 14:14:04  
Contact one of your local bulk oil distributors and get a cleaning solvent from them. Here Unical has real cleaning solvent in 5 gal for 21.00 a can. Mineral spirits isn't water rinsing, most of the cleaning solvents are. Ask the distributor if their solvent is.



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Slowpoke

12-27-2003 22:14:54




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 Re: Re: parts washer in reply to RusselAZ, 12-27-2003 17:00:38  
Is it called Stoddard Solvent?



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Dean Mn

12-27-2003 17:09:17




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 Re: Re: parts washer in reply to RusselAZ, 12-27-2003 17:00:38  
Thanks Russ.



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Brown Dirt Cowboy

12-27-2003 16:01:57




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 Re: parts washer in reply to Dean Mn, 12-27-2003 14:14:04  
Dean Mn I have seen parts washer also that seem to have small reservoirs. Could this 20gallons be pump capacity per minute? Tom



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Slowpoke

12-27-2003 22:12:08




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 Re: Re: parts washer in reply to Brown Dirt Cowboy, 12-27-2003 16:01:57  
No, it's the capacity of the tank. You don't fill it to the top. For a 20 gal. tank, about 5 gallons is plenty, as the pump recirculates it through a hose and nozzle which is aimed at the part. A tank should have a shelf on which the parts can be placed, so the cleaner can be pumped over the part, or it can be soaked in the bottom.
Low $ tanks are flat bottom with only a 1/2" drain, more $$ gets a pro tank that sits on a steel barrel. Even more $$$ will get a big heated tank, bigger pump, lamp, etc. Look for used industrial equipment in good condition for the best buy for your $$.

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buck

12-27-2003 14:56:44




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 Re: parts washer in reply to Dean Mn, 12-27-2003 14:14:04  

Been using mineral spirits(varsol) in mine for 25+ years- no problem.



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Dean Mn

12-27-2003 16:47:35




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 Re: Re: parts washer in reply to buck, 12-27-2003 14:56:44  
Thanks for the info. How often do you have to change it, and how do you dispose of the old stuff?



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buck

12-27-2003 17:42:59




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 Re: Re: Re: parts washer in reply to Dean Mn, 12-27-2003 16:47:35  

The reservoir for my parts washer is actually a 30 gal. drum with the pump about 10" off the bottom. When totally cleaned 15 gal. of varsol is use and added as needed. Cleaning can be done by dipping the solids from the bottom of the drum while the varsol remains in place and adding varsol to fill back to desired level or to totally clean I remove the varsol and clean out all the solids and start over.Total cleaning is only required when the varsol becomes so contaminated that it leaves a film on the parts being cleaned which can cause painting problems and unless you are doing a very large volumn this will not be very often. Mine was used daily in a auto reconditioning shop where all parts were cleaned for good quality paint and even at that it was cleaned about once a year.The solids can be disposed of in the most environmentaly friedly method in your area.If they are left to dry in the sun they will be almost non existent in no time. When the vasol gets to a point of non use then the route of used motor oil is ok but disposal of the varsol will be very seldom.

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Slowpoke

12-27-2003 22:26:10




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: parts washer in reply to buck, 12-27-2003 17:42:59  
I was told that a heavy black plastic bag can line the barrel to contain the fluid. Then for clean up, remove fluid and pull out the bag with the solids in it, and install a new bag.



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