Parts washers

[steveG]

I've had enough of Supercheap degreaser cans, paintbrushes and dirty plastic tubs - so finally going to build or buy a parts washer.

I'm keen to give a water based cleaner a try as I'm not keen on having a large volume of solvent in an shed that also I weld/grind in.
Reading a few older threads here the "Simple Green" concentrate seems to have positive reviews. Any other likely contenders?

Size wise, the 90L washers (78x55x30cm) would fit most things I'm likely to clean (mainly just general landy parts). Is there any compelling reason to get a smaller/larger size?

Looks like I can buy a new 90L one for about $200 upwards. Any particular particular brands/features to look out for?
Would I end up with a better result for a similar cost by just making something up myself?

Steve

[Tombie]

Hint: Want some degreasing liquid cheap?

Drive to local "Car Bath / Wash" - remove empty 10lt container from vehicle.

Select "Degreaser"

Insert $2.00

Fill container :cool:

[steveG]

Awesome - would never have come up with that myself :)

Steve

[discovery39]

Hint: Want some degreasing liquid cheap?

Drive to local "Car Bath / Wash" - remove empty 10lt container from vehicle.

Select "Degreaser"

Insert $2.00

Fill container :cool:

That degreaser is usually watered down to within an inch of its life.

[Toxic_Avenger]

Thought of doing this:
https://youtu.be/URo31_aTHUk
???

Great youtube channel, if you are that way inclined. Bloke really knows his stuff

[jboot51]

I recently purchased this one.
A368 | APW-76 Auto Parts Washer - Floor Model | For Sale Sydney Brisbane Melbourne Perth | Buy Workshop Equipment & Machinery online at machineryhouse.com.au (http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/A368)


Quite good value. well made and sturdy.
It uses a water based solvent.
5 litres of concentrate for $40 with 40 litres of water.


The light oils (p/s fluid) float on top of the water and I had to skim it off.
Heavier grit and stuff falls to the bottom.
The inlet for the pump is probably a 8cm x 8cm filter that sits about 2.5cm from the bottom of the tank.


Had to top it up with 5 litres of supercheap degreaser after 2 months as the cleaning strength was fading.


Had to add a stool to sit on, as it is a little too low and hard on the back after 10 minutes or so.

[steveG]

Thought of doing this:
https://youtu.be/URo31_aTHUk
???

Great youtube channel, if you are that way inclined. Bloke really knows his stuff

Interesting - a DIY twist on the old engine wash gun.
White spirit is nice as it dries off well. We used to use it years ago to wash down aircraft piston engines, but not sure I'd want to atomise a couple of litres in my shed (which is also where my compressor is).

I also noticed that there was nothing he cleaned that was what I'd term "landy dirty". In my experience combining compressed air and dirty parts is a recipe for crap everywhere in the nearby vicinity.

Outside, for something like an engine block I can see it being great, but I'm not convinced for general parts cleaning inside a building.

Steve

[DoubleChevron]

I purchased one of the chinese parts cleaners quite a few years ago. I've put it out in a crappy garden shed beside the shed (with the compressor). YOu know, I find I rarely if ever use it. You see the $2.00 export degreaser tins and pressure washer are far, far, far more effective :)

seeya
Shane L.

[Tombie]

I have one of these...

https://www.kincrome.com.au/parts-washer-12-litre

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/625.jpg

Perfect for small components..


For larger - I agree with Double Chevron... Degreaser and Karcher!

[DoubleChevron]

I grabbed the free standing one ... It appears they are still sold unchanged.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/09/624.jpg

20 Gallon Parts Washer ON Stand 240V Electric Pump | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20-GALLON-PARTS-WASHER-ON-STAND-240V-ELECTRIC-PUMP-/301704197040?hash=item463ef8b3b0)

I'm surprised how rarely I use it. The export degreaser cans are just so incredibly effective and cheap.

seeya,
shane L.

[steveG]

That 20Gal ebay one is one of the ones I was considering.

For the things that you still use the degreaser cans on, where do you do it?
I've previously used one of the blue half-clamshell kids sandpits from Bunnings, with a bit of heavy steel mesh across the top. Does a good job of catching the runoff and you can rinse off with water afterwards but takes up a lot of room.

Thats one of the main reasons I'm looking at a parts washer, to contain the dirty crap that gets washed off.

Steve

[33chinacars]

Hint: Want some degreasing liquid cheap?

Drive to local "Car Bath / Wash" - remove empty 10lt container from vehicle.

Select "Degreaser"

Insert $2.00

Fill container :cool:

That's a bit cheaky Mike :D:D:D

[DoubleChevron]

That 20Gal ebay one is one of the ones I was considering.

For the things that you still use the degreaser cans on, where do you do it?
I've previously used one of the blue half-clamshell kids sandpits from Bunnings, with a bit of heavy steel mesh across the top. Does a good job of catching the runoff and you can rinse off with water afterwards but takes up a lot of room.

Thats one of the main reasons I'm looking at a parts washer, to contain the dirty crap that gets washed off.

Steve

I just drive onto the grass and degrease it ........................ Um, I do live on 4acres so that may make a difference :)

seeya,
Shane L.

[steveG]

I just drive onto the grass and degrease it ........................ Um, I do live on 4acres so that may make a difference :)

seeya,
Shane L.

I've got the space, but I'm 100% sure the dogs or SWMBO would walk through it afterwards. once the lumps of gunge make their way into the house its all downhill from there:(

Yesterday I picked up a cheap used 20Gal washer I'd spotted on Gumtree.
Was planning to put some decent cleaner in it, but ended up walking out of Supercheap at lunchtime with a 10L of their Heayy Duty degreaser. Diluted 3:1 with water it seems to do a pretty reasonable job of cutting through caked on gunge when combined with a cut off paintbrush.
Test job was to clean one of my old plastic oil drain trays that had been used for draining / parts washing tub then left to collect dust under the bench. Came up well with no soaking time and a bit of brushing.
Will see how long the solution lasts but pretty happy with it for now.

Steve

[Roverlord off road spares]

Hint: Want some degreasing liquid cheap?

Drive to local "Car Bath / Wash" - remove empty 10lt container from vehicle.

Select "Degreaser"

Insert $2.00

Fill container :cool:
That's almost as good as come Valentines day, beat the queues and profiteering by visiting the local cemetery.:eek:

[JoeFriend]

That's almost as good as come Valentines day, beat the queues and profiteering by visiting the local cemetery.:eek:

I've also been known to visit the local nursery to just purchase a whole rose bush.

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

[Homestar]

I degrease everything in my driveway, then hose it all into the garden bed beside the driveway...:angel: After 10 years, the plants still grow, and everything is fine - except the diosma has grown teeth and eats the neighbourhood cats now - is that bad?

[Judo]

I degrease everything in my driveway, then hose it all into the garden bed beside the driveway...:angel: After 10 years, the plants still grow, and everything is fine - except the diosma has grown teeth and eats the neighbourhood cats now - is that bad?
Natural evolution I'd say.