Parts Washers?

Tetanus

Tetanus

Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2005
Location
Kansas
Anyone have any good advice for a parts washer $100 or less? Preferably a small one/portable one. I’ve been looking at some at Northern Tool. I found one that uses 3.5 gal of solution http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_419464_419464
and one that is 20 gallon
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_419465_419465
but Northern has signs on the washers & on the shelves that hold the washers that say to only use the aqueous based solutions with their washers, (which I don’t want to use because I’ve heard from lots of people they are worthless) because the motors can arc and can cause fires or explosions. I stopped into Advance Auto and the guy working there said I could order one from their PDQ catalog, but they’re real expensive and I’m not sure what kinds of solution I can use.
I would also like a recommendation on a good solvent.
Thanks!
 
I have been using the 20 gallon unit for years. Got it at harbor freight for like 69 bucks. I use the good flammable, eat your skin off washer fluid. Never had any problems but I do have it in the far corner of the shop away from my welding sparks.
 
So the good solution is okay to use in these washers? The way I interpreted the signs was that the pump in the washer was what could ignite the solution, not external sparks. That is one thing I'm wanting to know. If they are safe to use with the strong solution I'll go that route.
 
I just bought a 20 gal from advance about 2 maybe 3 months ago and it was reg price of $95 and I am using the good eat everything very flamable cleaner.Works great.
 
THe solvent you would be using is flamable IF the temp of the liquid were raised above I think 120°, no need to heat it.

I have in the past bought a 5gal can of the stuff Advanced sells ( Mineral Spirits, colored purple) used it straight, but needed more than 5gal so I added another 5gal of Kerosine.

I will tell you it does evaporate, and you should have a bucket UNDER the tub cuz the drain plug will most likely leak ( if ever so slowly, but it makes a mess on the floor)
 
BTW almost all of these have a heat switch or quick metal melt tab that slams the lid shutt in cae of fire and chokes it out....
 
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