Tool question (Parts washer)

[Bday]

Sorry guys, it's not a welding question. Figured you guys would probably be in the know. Needing to buy a parts washer. What do you guys think of the buffalo line of washers sold at the farm stores. I know there Chinese, but it is what it is. Thanks for any info!

 

[SHORT KID]

Watch for Harbor Freight sale I think they are the same, on sale not a bad price. I bough one about 6 years ago on sale and works good.

 

[Bird]

When I was working on mechanics' air tools, I had to have a parts washer and I got mine back then from Northern Tool. If I needed to buy one now, I'd consider Northern Tool, Tractor Supply Co., and Harbor Freight; don't know which one I'd buy from, or whether one is any better than the others.

 

[DFB]

I have the small 3 1/2 gal from harbor freight works just fine...portable too!

What type of cleaning fluid do you plan on using?

 

[muddstopper]

The fluid will cost more than the washer. I have a northerntool 20gal one setting in the corner and seldom use it because of fluid prices. Heck, 20gal of kero is $80 bucks.

 

[jake98]

Grizzly sells them, maybe you can avoid the sales tax. Anybody use them for cleaning gun parts? I have the little bench top unit, was thinking of putting some Hoppes #9 in it.

 

[Bday]

Grizzly sells them, maybe you can avoid the sales tax. Anybody use them for cleaning gun parts? I have the little bench top unit, was thinking of putting some Hoppes #9 in it.

Sounds like a good idea. That would make cleaning guns a lot easier. I ended up buying one from a local farm supply store. We'll see what happens.

 

[Bday]

I have the small 3 1/2 gal from harbor freight works just fine...portable too!

What type of cleaning fluid do you plan on using?

Good or bad we put mineral spirits in her!

 

[Bird]

I always used Varsol that I got from the local Exxon distributor. He had it in 5 gallon buckets and I bought three of them. And then he had it in a tank and pump just like a gasoline pump, so I'd just refill my buckets there a little cheaper.

 

[DFB]

Crown® PSC 1000 Parts Cleaner, 5 gal. - 3893915 | Tractor Supply Company

 

[puckgrinder85]

We use mineral spirits too, 10 years on the current parts washer.

 

[muddstopper]

Crownｮ PSC 1000 Parts Cleaner, 5 gal. - 3893915 | Tractor Supply Company

Now go buy 4 of those to fill your parts washer!!! If I had it to do over again, I would have never bought the big washer. Fo what I do now, (mostly piddle), the 3 1/2 or 5gal washer size would come closer to fitting my actual needs. 5gal wont even prime the pump on my current washer.

 

[Stimw]

I bought the cheapo HF washer that just circulates the fluid in the basin.
I brazed a fitting in the bottom and plumbed drain to the side into a 5 gal. bucket. (must use hyd oil or grease bucket with lid that has gasket)
I mounted the pump to the bucket lid off of the bottom of the bucket and ran wires to original washer switch and hose to original fluid sprayer mounted to side of basin.
I run mineral spirits in it and get by filling it with 3 gallons. (about $10. a gal)
Turn on pump, fluid comes out and drains back into bucket. Crud settles out in bottom of bucket.
I can get 2-3 months out of a fill with regular every other day average use.

 

[muddstopper]

Good ideal!!! Thanks! I think my parts washer pump would fit in the bottom of a 5gal bucket. Shouldnt be hard to rig up a return drain from the plumbing section of the hardware store. No more than I use the washer, a bucket of spirits should last a pretty long time.

 

[Scooby074]

On a parts washer the pump is the important part. I made my own cabinet out of steel and bought a good, little giant HD washer pump. Then I added LocLine for the spray nozzle. It works well. As to fluid, Mineral spirits is what I use.

For an off the shelf unit, most shops Ive been in use this one from Citation Parts Cleaners - Citation Cleaning Equipment :



The one I built is a clone of this:

 

[Stihlrunner]

Are you talking a solvent tank or a parts washer? Believe, after you have used a heated parts washer cabinet you will never go back to splashing solvent again.

 

[Bday]

Are you talking a solvent tank or a parts washer? Believe, after you have used a heated parts washer cabinet you will never go back to splashing solvent again.

Someone had mentioned that they had added a heater to their system. Not sure where I read that post.

 

[muddstopper]

Speaking of a heater, I wonder if a aquarium heater would do the job without having to worry about a fire?

When it warms up after while, I am going to do a little measuring of my washer and see if a can will fit under it. I have some firesnake buckets that have the metal band lids. They hold about 7gal which would work good if they fit.

Before its asked, Firesnake is what we call the rope we burn to run up broken rails on the railroad. Used to be that we used actual rope soaked in diesel fuel. Used to hate handling the rope once the fuel burnt out. Pretty nasty. I dont know what its made of now, but it completely burns up so no mess to handle or pickup.

 

[bigtiller]

Speaking of a heater, I wonder if a aquarium heater would do the job without having to worry about a fire?

When it warms up after while, I am going to do a little measuring of my washer and see if a can will fit under it. I have some firesnake buckets that have the metal band lids. They hold about 7gal which would work good if they fit.

Before its asked, Firesnake is what we call the rope we burn to run up broken rails on the railroad. Used to be that we used actual rope soaked in diesel fuel. Used to hate handling the rope once the fuel burnt out. Pretty nasty. I dont know what its made of now, but it completely burns up so no mess to handle or pickup.

Thanks for trying, but I still don't understand why you burn rope, how a rail gets broken or why you are running. :confused3:

 

[Stimw]

I got around to taking pics today. This parts washer is at least 20 years old.
I did have to replace the pump a few years ago. I bought on at Northern Tool, $29.00 IIRC.