Parts degreaser/washer

[MattF]

Just after some info and advice from anyone who's familiar with these things. Decided it's time that I tried to make things a bit easier for myself than just using brushes and paraffin or rags soaked in paraffin for degreasing, (I've been going through shedloads of rag recently ). So, I'm considering making some form of parts washer. I know I'll still have to add some elbow grease, and it'll obviously be best if I can remove the majority of crap before dunking parts in the washer, but wondered what type of design is best to go with.

I was thinking something along the lines of a container for parts to go in, with a recirculating solvent system feeding from, and returning to, a tank and filtering system with the paraffin/kerosene in. How effective is cleaning when just relying on liquid flow alone? Would some extra agitation in the cleaning tank help with cleaning? Are there any other little tricks to improve efficacy?


Cheers.

 

[Barking Mat]

Yep, we've one of these at work, it's quite simply a 200 litre oil drum full of degreasant, attached to a pump witch goes to a brush, the fluid is pumped through the brush, on top of the drum is a tray which recirculates the fluid into the drum, there is mesh on the tray to stop your bits falling in. Really handy for removing grease from bearing cups and filthy old stuff covered in muck, will post some pics if you like, not rocket science but really handy. Saves loads of rags and workshop bogroll.

 

[Maker]

There's something similar in the painting and decorating workshops at collage for cleaning the really bad oil based brushes that haven't been cleaned properly - it's a 30 gallon drum full of white spirit with a sink on top and a pump to make it flow through a stiff cleaning brush but also a heater, apparently, the heater makes it about twice as fast as cold so you might want to include that.something like this would probably do the trick.

 

[hareng]

Matt depends how big you need to do used to have the cheap small washer at work about £40 complete available any where, theyre ok about 20" wide internally.
Just seen one same at £32 lager are dearer around £60.

If you make one still got to get a pump

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Have you thought about getting a used dishwasher and plumbing that in, a friend of mine uses one and his 'dirty bits' come out gleaming and squeaky clean with a nice hint of lemon!

 

[Parm]

I made one a few years ago with an old stainless steel sink for the tub and an intrinsically safe pump that was plumbed to supply a wash brush. Worked a treat, then I gave it to a mate who decided to keep it !

 

[Maker]

Have you thought about getting a used dishwasher and plumbing that in, a friend of mine uses one and his 'dirty bits' come out gleaming and squeaky clean with a nice hint of lemon!

That is an AWESOME idea.

 

[julianf]

I got told off only just this morning about improper items in the dishwasher.

Likewise, i have a friend who has two, one of which is in his workshop.

 

[brightspark]

I got told off only just this morning about improper items in the dishwasher.

Likewise, i have a friend who has two, one of which is in his workshop.

my dishwasher would kick off if i gave her something out of the shed to clean

 

[MattF]

Yep, we've one of these at work, it's quite simply a 200 litre oil drum full of degreasant, attached to a pump witch goes to a brush, the fluid is pumped through the brush, on top of the drum is a tray which recirculates the fluid into the drum, there is mesh on the tray to stop your bits falling in. Really handy for removing grease from bearing cups and filthy old stuff covered in muck, will post some pics if you like, not rocket science but really handy.

Pics would be nice if you could. Always handy to have as many ideas as possible before starting.

Saves loads of rags and workshop bogroll.

That's the killer, ain't it. Plus using it that way, it's total loss of the solvent. I'll be able to get some more mileage out of it with a washer unit.

Matt depends how big you need to do used to have the cheap small washer at work about £40 complete available any where, theyre ok about 20" wide internally. Just seen one same at £32 lager are dearer around £60.

If you make one still got to get a pump

The small ones are larger than I expected then. Didn't think they'd have around 20" in there. Not sure on exact size requirements as yet, but I'd prefer to go a bit larger than I think I might need, just to cover. Probably 2'x2' would cover most things I'm likely to do. Large bits I can easily revert to using the brush and rags. Pump wise, I have an old coolant pump here which I can put to the purpose. Been trying to find a use for that pump for a while now.

Have you thought about getting a used dishwasher and plumbing that in, a friend of mine uses one and his 'dirty bits' come out gleaming and squeaky clean with a nice hint of lemon!

Had considered that option in the past, but I'm wanting to avoid water or water based fluids. I spend ages sorting rust as it is, without risking introducing more. Paraffin/kerosene seems to be about the best all rounder I've found upto just. Cuts through grease nicely, even when the grease has gone solid, so I'm basing the tank/washer options around that fluid. Have heard that te dishwashers are handy for the job though. Gave an acquaintance a hand lifting one onto a bench top the other week, as he's appropriated an old one for the task.

I made one a few years ago with an old stainless steel sink for the tub and an intrinsically safe pump that was plumbed to supply a wash brush. Worked a treat, then I gave it to a mate who decided to keep it !

Mates are sods for permanently appropriating kit given half a chance, aren't they. Almost as bad as brothers.

 

[Parm]

Pics would be nice if you could. Always handy to have as many ideas as possible before starting.




That's the killer, ain't it. Plus using it that way, it's total loss of the solvent. I'll be able to get some more mileage out of it with a washer unit.




The small ones are larger than I expected then. Didn't think they'd have around 20" in there. Not sure on exact size requirements as yet, but I'd prefer to go a bit larger than I think I might need, just to cover. Probably 2'x2' would cover most things I'm likely to do. Large bits I can easily revert to using the brush and rags. Pump wise, I have an old coolant pump here which I can put to the purpose. Been trying to find a use for that pump for a while now.




Had considered that option in the past, but I'm wanting to avoid water or water based fluids. I spend ages sorting rust as it is, without risking introducing more. Paraffin/kerosene seems to be about the best all rounder I've found upto just. Cuts through grease nicely, even when the grease has gone solid, so I'm basing the tank/washer options around that fluid. Have heard that te dishwashers are handy for the job though. Gave an acquaintance a hand lifting one onto a bench top the other week, as he's appropriated an old one for the task.




Mates are sods for permanently appropriating kit given half a chance, aren't they. Almost as bad as brothers.

Tell me about it, gave someone a brand new wheelbarrow that I bought for use in the garden, asked for it back after a couple of weeks and was given a twisted pile of junk. Asked for it to be replaced and not seen or heard from him since! Payback will be sweet as I have his three section ladder, if I don't get wheelbarrow by weekend he will be getting an 18 section ladder!

 

[MattF]

I'd be more tempted to keep the ladder until you get the new barrow. If he doesn't replace the barrow, you have a decent ladder. Doesn't sound like it would be much of a mate you're losing if he takes the huff.

 

[Parm]

I'd be more tempted to keep the ladder until you get the new barrow. If he doesn't replace the barrow, you have a decent ladder. Doesn't sound like it would be much of a mate you're losing if he takes the huff.

It's no great loss and I don't need the ladder, he was just storing it in my garden. Barrow is only 35 quid and I'm sure ladder is more but it's the principle of not wrecking stuff you have borrowed. As I haven't borrowed the ladder .............

 

[hareng]

Matt probably less than 20" wide, can get both hands inside with a little closing up from dropped to side of your body. 16" inernally
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolf-Gallon-Bench-Parts-Washer/dp/B004CYXA0C#productDetails

There is a larger version for not many more pennies.
Looks like gone up £40 recently check around http://www.amazon.co.uk/FoxHunter-Gallon-Litre-Washer-Cleaner/dp/B004FU3030
Same as http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cw40-extra-large-floor-standing-parts-wa
Same as Draper http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Draper-1x...t=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item5aed7682d0

 

[MattF]

Cheers Hareng. I'm half tempted to get that Wolf one just to see what they're like and if that alone will do, before I start phaffing with something larger.

 

[rosinante]

Hi,
My degreaser was a 25 l tub ,water based solvent, poked the end of the wallpaper steamer hose in switched it on and boiled the bits clean,works with persil etc as well, did a few landy gearboxes etc as well ,only cost was the detergent, rinsed off the bits were still warm enough to dry without rusting before assembly,painting etc,an occasional stir and scrub with bog brush speeds it up.
HT
Chris

 

[MrFluffy]

If you diy one, try and make sure you have some system which closes the lid if it catches fire. Or you will have 50 gallon of solvent as a permanent fire risk. Commercial units have a fusible link holding the lid up, and my parts cleaner that I run on diesel and paraffin mix is air powered to avoid sparking.

 

[MattF]

Hi,
My degreaser was a 25 l tub ,water based solvent, poked the end of the wallpaper steamer hose in switched it on and boiled the bits clean,works with persil etc as well, did a few landy gearboxes etc as well ,only cost was the detergent, rinsed off the bits were still warm enough to dry without rusting before assembly,painting etc,an occasional stir and scrub with bog brush speeds it up.
HT
Chris

Love the bog brush bit. The idea with steam is a good one which I hadn't considered.

If you diy one, try and make sure you have some system which closes the lid if it catches fire. Or you will have 50 gallon of solvent as a permanent fire risk. Commercial units have a fusible link holding the lid up, and my parts cleaner that I run on diesel and paraffin mix is air powered to avoid sparking.

Will do. I'm a bit obsesive over checking everything is safe, switched off etc. at the best of times, so that would definitely be something I'd make sure was included. The pump I'm considering using is a shaft driven one, so it would be piped and mounted externally and then driven by a belt pulley, so should be about as safe as it can be.