Parts washer question
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Harrisburg, SD
Parts washer question
Im looking into a 20 gallon parts washer, do I have to have 20 gallons of solvent in it for it to work? 40 dollars per 5 gallons is pretty spendy. Can I just run ten gallons in it?? would that hurt the pump? Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
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From: New Jersey
As long as the pump is submerged the pump is happy.
Some parts have large "bowls" or crevices and can easily store lots of solvent, therefore you run the risk of the pump running dry anyway.
Another thing to consider is you don't replace the solvent every time you use the parts washer... unless of course you're washing cylinder heads with a 4" thick layer of crusty goo stuck on all sides
A lot of people have good luck with "Simple Green" cut with water to make the 20 gallons. "Oxyclean" cut with water at 2 times the recommended strength works really well also.
Some parts have large "bowls" or crevices and can easily store lots of solvent, therefore you run the risk of the pump running dry anyway.
Another thing to consider is you don't replace the solvent every time you use the parts washer... unless of course you're washing cylinder heads with a 4" thick layer of crusty goo stuck on all sides
A lot of people have good luck with "Simple Green" cut with water to make the 20 gallons. "Oxyclean" cut with water at 2 times the recommended strength works really well also.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
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From: EXTREME southwest CT
I run my Safety-Kleen w/ 10gal of Agitene. But I don't run a shop or use it every day.
I also pulled an old tube sock over the pickup in the hopes of doing some filtering beyond just letting the sediment fall to the bottom.
My parts washer is 30+ years old and hasn't needed a pump yet.
YMMV
I also pulled an old tube sock over the pickup in the hopes of doing some filtering beyond just letting the sediment fall to the bottom.
My parts washer is 30+ years old and hasn't needed a pump yet.
YMMV
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Elder User
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From: Harrisburg, SD
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pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 39
From: EXTREME southwest CT
No, I don't think so.
I haven't bought any in 2 years, and I don't have the Grainger catalog on front of me.
I just looked @ the can for the part #. It was $45 +/- OTD, IIRC.
I haven't bought any in 2 years, and I don't have the Grainger catalog on front of me.
I just looked @ the can for the part #. It was $45 +/- OTD, IIRC.
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pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
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From: EXTREME southwest CT
Mineral spirits IS a solvent.
But it evaporates quickly and is much more flammable than parts washer fluid.
I can't take the risk that my Insurance won't cover a fire, even if it wasn't the parts washer that started it.
But it evaporates quickly and is much more flammable than parts washer fluid.
I can't take the risk that my Insurance won't cover a fire, even if it wasn't the parts washer that started it.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
The 20 gallons is only the capacity of the washer, if it's the red and blue made in china one that you get from Harbor Freight. I run ten gallons in mine, four gallons Simple Green, and six gallons of water. Set up a clamp-on light under the tank, aimed up at the bottom with a 60w bulb to keep the solution warm.
With solvents that don't freeze, if they are below freezing when you use them, you can get instant frostbite anywhere they touch you.
With solvents that don't freeze, if they are below freezing when you use them, you can get instant frostbite anywhere they touch you.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 359
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From: Saint Paul, MN
Originally Posted by v8xploder
mineral sprits is cheap if i remember right, would anyone see a problem mixing mineral spirits with some solvent?
