Off topic: Parts washer?

[LVLAaron]

In the interest of breathing less airborne chemicals, and brake cleaner really not being what it used to be; I've been looking at getting a small parts washer in the shop.

Are they worth the hassle?
What solvent/solution do you use?
Is it worth the shop space compared to a bucket of kerosene I keep under the workbench?

 

[cavedweller60]

In the interest of breathing less airborne chemicals, and brake cleaner really not being what it used to be; I've been looking at getting a small parts washer in the shop.

Are they worth the hassle?
What solvent/solution do you use?
Is it worth the shop space compared to a bucket of kerosene I keep under the workbench?

I have one and I like it. I built a wooden slider under my bench and it stays under there. When I need it, I slide it out and use it. I use the cleaner you can buy at tractor supply in 5 gallon cans.

 

[Multiracer]

Horrible freight with a pump and a couple of fives of NAPTHA.

 

[kendog]

Chicom 6 Liter Ultrasonic. Run Aircraft Simple Green and distilled water. $125ish and free shipping on Amazon. Throw Rem 870/1100 trigger groups in whole. Get something else done for 15 or so minutes and come out clean as a whistle, even with 5 years of duck hunting and neglect crammed all up in them. You can dunk them in alcohol to chase the water out, but i never do. Hit them with a heat gun until they start to steam a little and oil them up. Will take a 6" revolver frame and barrel, and lathe collets, Aloris bars, Bolts, receivers, anything that needs cleaning. BE CAREFUL with whatever soap you use! Simple Green Aircraft (diluted) will NOT remove anodizing. MANY Others will! Learned this the hard way...

 

[mike mccormick]

Chicom 6 Liter Ultrasonic. Run Aircraft Simple Green and distilled water. $125ish and free shipping on Amazon. Throw Rem 870/1100 trigger groups in whole. Get something else done for 15 or so minutes and come out clean as a whistle, even with 5 years of duck hunting and neglect crammed all up in them. You can dunk them in alcohol to chase the water out, but i never do. Hit them with a heat gun until they start to steam a little and oil them up. Will take a 6" revolver frame and barrel, and lathe collets, Aloris bars, Bolts, receivers, anything that needs cleaning. BE CAREFUL with whatever soap you use! Simple Green Aircraft (diluted) will NOT remove anodizing. MANY Others will! Learned this the hard way...

Plus one on simple green in an ultrasonic cleaner. Works great, and doesn't damage parts

 

[kojaone]

I f your a clean guy ,they work great,dirty,heavy oil, truck and tactor shop like mine ,not so,they gunk up.I store my funnels in mine.
I use Zep spayers now with Stoddard solvent.Air em up with shop air.Always clean,portable.Wash down engines ,motorcycle,axles,back off tractors gun actions,hands etc.Doesn't melt plastics.Takes place of brake cleaner,dries slow like,lighter fluid.Stoddard solvent you get at your local fuel and oil supplier.

 

[Sniperhandle]

If you decide to get a solvent washer, Look for an old safety kleen, They pop up from time to time on fb and cl. They last forever and work great. We used to put a roll of toilet paper down below the screen when the solvent got really dirty, It helps a little bit.

But mostly, Wear some good neoprene gloves, I have skin problems because when I started out as a heavy equipt mechanic, We were given a metal 5 gal bucket with solvent in it and were told to dump ATF in it so it would take the "Sting" out.

One of the Older guys who is long gone now got cancer from it on his arm. This was 40 years ago, Things have changed a lot since then. They came out with all kinds of green schitt that never works as good as the old solvent. I don't know what they use now.

 

[DaveTooley]

mineral spirits in my shop and a small bench top unit

 

[kendog]

I f your a clean guy ,they work great,dirty,heavy oil, truck and tactor shop like mine ,not so,...

For really dirty, greasy stuff I use Tyme parts dip. Have a gallon paint can with a dip basket for most small stuff, and a 6" diameter by 18" stainless pipe with a bottom welded on it for barreled actions and long stuff. Couple hours or overnight and they come out clean. Rinses away with hot water. Wont attack bluing, anodizing, or nickel. I prefer to let the chemicals do the work. I ain't scrubbin' nothin' if I can help it!

Use THIS Simple Green Extreme Simple Green Aircraft Cleaner

A little goes a long way. 2 or 3 ounces in 6 liters of water is plenty strong.

Awesome Orange, regular Simple Green and other over the counter cleaners can play hell with gun finishes.

 

[LVLAaron]

Thanks guys. This is just for oily tools, reamers, etc. Not looking to clean carbs and wheel bearings.

 

[kendog]

Thanks guys. This is just for oily tools, reamers, etc. Not looking to clean carbs and wheel bearings.

Here you go.
Doesn't take up much space, doesn't stink, does things quickly while you can do something else. For reamers and other sharp tools I use plastic baskets from the dollar store. Keeps the edges from vibrating against any metal. When barreling, toss a receiver in for a few minutes between steps. Keeps it clean and free of chips and such.

 

[LVLAaron]

Here you go.
Doesn't take up much space, doesn't stink, does things quickly while you can do something else. For reamers and other sharp tools I use plastic baskets from the dollar store. Keeps the edges from vibrating against any metal. When barreling, toss a receiver in for a few minutes between steps. Keeps it clean and free of chips and such.

What solvent/solution do you use? my normal ultrasonic stuff removes blueing pretty easily

 

[kendog]

What solvent/solution do you use? my normal ultrasonic stuff removes blueing pretty easily

Extreme Simple Green Aircraft Cleaner

NOT regular simple green.

 

[LVLAaron]

What do you spray with it? I had one and the nozzle clogged all the time.

 

[kendog]

What do you spray with it? I had one and the nozzle clogged all the time.

Spray?? Not sure what you are asking. Rinse parts out of the Ultra Sonic tank with hot water and blow dry with compressed air. Assemblies like fire controls (Browning BAR's, Rem 870's and the like) dunk/rinse in HOT water, work the moving parts a little, and heat with a heat gun until it starts to blow off a little steam. Lube with whatever you lube with and done.

 

[kendog]

What do you spray with it? I had one and the nozzle clogged all the time.

The Aircraft Green is a super concentrate. Mix with water. A little goes a LONG way.

 

[LVLAaron]

Someone posted a reusable spray can, I was asking what they put in it. Post is deleted, hence your confusion.

 

[AlNyhus]

Someone posted a reusable spray can, I was asking what they put in it.

FWIW, we use those pressurized spray cans quite a bit at the race shop. They work great. -Al

 

[xr650rRider]

What do you spray with it? I had one and the nozzle clogged all the time.

Someone had already posted one above. I use odorless mineral spirits. Occasionally you do have to clean the tip if you use dirty funnels to fill it.

 

[tac284]

At home I use the FBS brand sprayers, excellent quality. I bought most of mine from National tool wearhouse and eBay. I use them for Acetone, Brakleen, isopropyl alcohol & Super clean degreaser.

FBS Distribution | Specialty Hand Sprayers, Tapes and …

FBS Distribution supplies specialty hand sprayers, masking products, and coveralls for the automotive, industrial, marine, and aviation industries.

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At work we use the CRC rolling smart washers with heaters, they are pretty nice and the ozzy juice is environmentally friendly and surprisingly works! They make a non heated benchpro model but it isn’t the cheapest setup the that’s for sure.

SmartWasher is the Best Parts Washer Cleaner | CRC Industries

A proven leader in the parts washer industry. CRC SmartWasher® bioremediating parts washing system is safe to use, cost effective and a powerful cleaner.

www.crcindustries.com