My New Parts Washer 

One nice trick I've discovered through tiral and error is to put a piece of carpet the size of the bottom of the tank in the bottom of the tank. When you use the washer a lot, a layer of sludge/gunk builds up on the bottom of the tank. The carpet picks up all the particles of gunk and prevents them from sticking to the botom of the tank. When the carpet gets dirty, take it out, toss it, and replace it. So much easier than scraping all the gunk off of the bottom of the tank.

I have a 20 gal. Parts washer bought 30 years ago when kerosene was $1.00 a gallon. I mixed 10 gallons of fresh kerosene with 1 gallon of Gunk Super Concentrate (made by Radiator Specialties Company). Was very good solvent cleaner and rinsed off completely with water. Dont get any water in the Gunk solution or it will be ruined. This is the same thing in the Gunk aerosol spray degreaser cans. Harley-Davidson has used this for decades because their motorcycles were always a oily greasy mess. If diesel fuel is used it leaves an oily residue that has to be cleaned off after decreasing.

This is one of those tools I would like to have but which costs too much in terms of real estate. Gotta walk around it to get to other stuff, and gotta move it to make room for the other tools. I envy anybody with a big shop like yours. Great demo.

I added a few creature comforts to mine: 1. upgraded drain plug with brass speed drain valve & attached 1/2" hose ($10) 2. Lowered storage shelf (as you suggested) 3. Welded all "bolted" parts to main unit to increase stability 4. installed locking wheel casters so I can push the whole thing around (free) ***Craigs list is a great place to find destroyed tool chests and table for free, I salvage them for casters brackets, drawer rails.***

You don't need to remove the shelf. Just get a flexible funnel.

You could just plumb in a hose bib/value where the plug is now. Then attach a hose to the valve and extend it to the drum and drain into your empty mineral spirits drum or other receptacle. HF does have brushes, I don't know if they are any good... Very cool tool for the shop!

Been cleaning greasy auto parts for some time.I used SafetyKleen, Agitene, gasoline, diesel fuel, 100% bio diesel fuel, naphtha, simple green, soap and water, purple power, etc. Tried a fish tank pump, an air operated pump, and finally, a solvent tank pump. Gas is bad to inhale, flammable, but cleans well. Most work for short term use. SafetyKleen, Agitene, and Naphtha can be used over and over until too filthy to clean. Solvent pump lasts longer. A "flow-through" brush is a must.

I think a funnel with some kind of short hose (about a foot long might even be enough) should also work for draining it - and it might even be easier, since there are two buckets to fill and it would be quite a mess if you didn't get that drain plug back in before switching over to the other bucket ;)

Cork off the top of the drain hole before you loosen the plug. Like others have said, I would attach a valve and a hose [or black pipe] assembly [it's probably NPT] and drain it off to the side so you can strain and see the amount going into the container

The lid thing is a fire safety device. The lid leans forward so that when the soldered together link melts from fire gravity closes the top. As far as the plug goes we tapped ours for pipe threads an added a ball valve.

Hope you are doing great, Eric, especially in light of all these storms... Thank you as always for the great videos... - your friend Jeff from Virginia

I know for small quantities, you can take it to your local fire department. They usually have a chemical waste disposal program to prevent people from pouring it down into the sewers (well at least in Canada...)

There is a small filter on the pump inlet. So instead of cleaning with dirty solvent, you are cleaning with slightly less dirty solvent.

the lid doesn't open any further because it is a safety device. If the solvent catches on fire, the spring loaded device as a part that will melt and close the lid automatically.

i had one of these at home in my 2 car garage, but like others said too much real estate. i sold it on CL. now use simple green/brush/oil pan. pressure washer with water/SG mix for motors and trannys and engine bays still, parts washer is nice if you have the space.

just attach a funnel with one of those adjustable/bendable tubes off it and have that drain into the bucket. nice new shop toy

There is stuff from Safety Clean called Varsol (its nasty Stuff) and they rent the parts washer and change it out per their contract. Napa sells OzzJuice and its environmentally friendly. I use mineral spirits and its OK with insurance, unlike kerosine or diesel fuels, although those are good solvents for grease... Thanks for sharing

Great addition.If ya want make a small wooden platforn with wheels so u can move it around if you need to..Cause i know when i get something new and put it where i think it will stay never happens.i always end up moving it to another location...Just a thought..be safe this holiday...Jbone

If you ever have to drain it, just use a fuel pump or window washer pump with hose, and transfer it back into the buckets. I've had to do this many times at work, mainly with diesel out of the fuel tanks.

other than mineral spirits, get regular parts solvent at the auto parts store. it runs about 25 bucks for a 5 gallon pail, 2 should do it. thats a lot less than the 125 u paid.

Just attach some tube to the drain and that's it. Lower part would serve as a good shelf without modifieng

The lids dont open all the way as the hinge has a smoke trigger to auto close if there is a fire so they want the lid where gravity will take over no problem

So jealous lol haven't seen a parts washer that clean in a long time. need to clean mine. Get yourself a good pair of gloves as well in addition a basket for soaking small parts.

Or you could use a long funnel. I think parts washers use acetone as well.

Guess a bead blast cabinet is next. Nipple/valve and drain hose might be pretty trick.

get a couple 90* pipe and a shut off valve to drain out the side.

I don't know anything about washers... Could you not get by with a large plastic bucket and an aquarium pump with some tubing? Just wondering since I have no idea what these devices cost, and I like making things...

I've been using kerosene for my parts washer and it seems to be a good compromise between flammability and cleaning power, expensive enough to heat a home with!! The bottom is now covered in a thick layer of grime.

your legit man...been watching your vids for a while. Always appreciate what you have to say. Just got a parts washer myself...was wondering, how long do you think you can go before it needs to be changed out?

How does mineral spirits react with things like valve stem seals? I don't really want to take this head all the way apart since it's one of those fancy toyotas with buckets and shims...

Yeah, a ball valve and some tubing is all that drain needs.

why not use a funnel and hose or use like a oversized bleeder bolt and tube?

You could cut a mineral spirits can sized hole in that shelf with a plasma cutter and have the spout right under the drain.

Did You buy the parts washer at Harbor Freight Tools?

I wonder if you could find a fumoto valve(or something similiar) with matching threads for the drain. That would allow you to attach a tube and drain into a bucket beside the parts washer.

Hi Eric, How often should you replace the fluid in the parts washer?

Where do you take the wast to have it disposed ?

Thanks for sharing. So wanted to watch you wash something with it! :-)

I had one of these 20 years ago, I emptied it and gave it to a friend of mine because it became too hard and expensive to purchase Stoddard solvent in my stupid state of California. I gave up and bought a plastic desktop style and filled it with aqueous cleaner.

Advance Auto charges $88.69 for 5 Gallon Parts Washer Solvent on-line. $25 per 5 gal, where, midnight auto supply?

Where did you buy the parts washer at?

couldn't you use pine sol for a less hazardous substitute?

How often do you buy new hand tools? I'm hoping to see an updated tool box video soon.

i'm sure eric can just make open/close valve and thread it in and connect a hose to it instead of having to unscrew it.

What brand is your parts washer ?

I was going to suggest using Agitene by Gray Mills, but the price has more than doubled in the last couple of years. I used to buy from McMaster for $45 for 5 gallon. It is now $105. Still probably the best I have used. McMaster item # 3229K1

That introo!!! Good vod man

I've used kerosene to clean parts. I've been thinking about using an electric diesel pump to recirculate the liquid.

Turpentine Not being a sourpuss but would not have a bucket and some solvent done the same job only cheaper?

I used simple green automotive it was way cheaper and worked great

I just use a sink and a fish pump lol works the same lol

good tip

Fucking hell mate. ever heard of a pipe?

what you need it for?old parts are ment to be discarted,why clean them?

Oh the dichotomy: Stay dirty, but clean your parts.

Hey, I have one just like that!

Why would you wash new parts? (I only clicked on this video to write that comment, but ill watch it)

next video - big-arse blast cabinet?

Or if you want to just do it the right way. disposal, cleaning, repair or following the laws in your state. Safety-Kleen can give you peice of mind with that. They specialize in parts washer's and more.

Now Save for a hoist buddy, im sure you miss one

i always thought you used gasoline to clean the parts.. atleast thats what i was told.

Eric, next time use kerosene. Works just as good and so much cheaper!

"It" being the fluid...

FIRST! Very nice Eric!

You can put a peacock for the drain so you just have st attach a hoes to the peacock and open it that's what I do for oil drain on my race karts

Wait, you don't just use soapy water? Lol just kidding y'all.

Diesel fuel is good in parts washers.

i can build that thing in my garage

build a valve

*petcock sorry