I have bought a parts washer from Harbor Frieght Tools and it says to use non-flammable solvent. I used it for 2 weeks and the pump locked up. Does anyone know where I could get a new pump that might allow me to use flammable solvent?

 

Is this unit located outdoors? Flammable solvents should only be used outdoors well away from anything else that's flammable and preferably near a medical burn unit. Harbor Freight should replace the pump, but I really think you should take their advice.

 

What were you running for solvent? I've been running Naptha in mine for 18 months with no problems at all.

 

Little Giant makes good pumps.

 

i have a 40 gallon parts washer. i filled it with 15 gallons of napa parts washer fluid, then noticed that the main ingredient was kerosene. so instead of paying the $10 per gallon for parts washer fluid, i then put in 15 gallons of mineral spirits and 5 gallons of kerosene.

it has been over 5 years now, and i have only lost less than 1/2 inch of fluid.
i do keep the cover closed , and there are no power sources near it though.
and any welding is done outside.

 

I've been using harbor freights water base solvent which seems to go stale and promote mold

 

I built a homemade parts washer out of a huge rectangular rubbermaid container and a 1/4HP "little giant" sump pump that I picked out of the trash a few years ago. I was concerned about the plastic pump and plastic container dissolving with petrolium based cleaning solvents so believe it or not I use water with "quick and brite" mixed in at a higher concentration than the container suggests. I'm not cleaning carpet afterall, but slimey, disgusting automotive parts. It works really well, and because the little giant pump is a sump pump, it's designed to pump "trash" so it doesn't clog up at all. I generally change the water when I look inside the rubbermaid container and can't see the submerged pump any longer, even though it still cleans reasonably well.

I have a portable, plastic work table with holes around the perimeter for some kind of clamping (which I found useless for clamping) but I stick a large funnel in one of the holes, slap a coffee filter into the funnel, and pour the gross contents of the rubbermaid container through the funnel/filter onto the ground, then toss the filter into a hefty bag. This way the biodegradable stuff goes in the yard, and the disgusting slimey stuff goes in the trash. Then I refill with quick and brite and the hose.

You can get the smaller, metal pump for a parts washer from any tool parts stores, mail order (Northern, etc) or locally if you find such a place, or on ebay. I've seen solvent-capable parts washer pumps on ebay in the $40-90 range depending on the size and fittings.

 

Does this mixture Clean as well as the Napa Brand solvent?

 

it works fine. the only down side is an oil residue after cleaning. but i blow the part off, then let it sit for an hour or so, or if needed rite away wipe it down. if it is going to get silicone for a gasket, i clean the gasket surface with brake clean before installing..

 

Been using the 'marine clean' by por's when cleaning the frame, engine compartment, and large engine parts & find it does a good job. It's suppose to be biogradeable and can be diluted up to 10:1, would suggest rinse if comes in contact w/ skin.

Browsing couple tool catalogs w/ solvent tank accessories:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...atchallpartial


http://www.tptools.com/SearchResult....rchTitleDescr=(Unfortunately, not a direct link to accessories and need to open 'view all')


May want to contact HP, found sometime supplier may carry the replacement parts not listed online, or in catalog.

dave