MetalworkingFun Forum

We don't use the crock pot much and when we do it's me that cooks in it, so I don't hafta watch the garage sales.

I have (in storage) a recirculating parts washer from Safety-Kleen. It is a rectangular basin sitting atop a 35 gallon drum. There is a submersible pump, like a Little Giant coolant pump that does the recirculating. There are no filters. On the drain hole, a drilled plate keeps small parts and large debris out of the solvent. In the barrel, there is about 5 gallons of water. The solvent, usually 15 gallons or more, being lighter, floats on top of the water. The pump is held high enough to pick up only the solvent. Any real debris or dirt, etc. falls out of the solvent and accumulates in the water layer. I used to clean it once a year or so, when I wanted fresh solvent. Eventually, the water will rust the barrel out, so it is common now to use a heavy version of a trash bag, along the lines of 10-12 mil thick to line the barrel. Lasts virtually forever that way.

Tony, lining the barrel and the water base are fantastic ideas, I've never heard of either! The system you've described is basically how mine is (minus the two good points ), with the pump suspend from its discharge line off the bottom with no real filtration other than the stainless mesh I have in the drain hole.

(07-28-2012, 08:27 AM)Bill Gruby Wrote: [ -> ]We do Aluminum Crankcases for model engines in the Crockpot all the time. Use Automobile Anti-Freeze for Aluminum Radiators mixed with 10% water. Leave overnight on low heat and the Aluminum will be nice and clean after rinsing with water in the morning.

"Billy G"

Hmmmm.....

I don't have a shop crock pot (yet) but I'm going to have to give this a try in my ultrasonic cleaner. Thanks Bill.

Willie,

Make absolutely sure it is for Aluminum. The other type will make your Aluminum parts "Stealth" as in gone.

"Billy G"

Copy that. Thanks.

I've got a 55 gal drum of the stuff (factory coolant) for Honda's. Aluminum radiators, heads, engine block, water pump.....

Willie, make sure you take the dentures out of your ultrasonic cleaner before doing your shop stuff.

(07-29-2012, 05:56 PM)stevec Wrote: [ -> ]Willie, make sure you take the dentures out of your ultrasonic cleaner before doing your shop stuff.

Good thinking!

Tony I like your idea as well with the 55 gallon drum, but have you tried a plastic drum instead of a metal drum?


I had a thought the other night while cleaning my teeth ( still using the original ones) of a small water pressure washer. I have a water Pik that uses pulsating water to clean your teeth. It has a variable setting for pressure and fine tips for getting between teeth. It would work great on small detail jobs where you dont want to get everything wet.

Well, the basin has a cylindrical ring welded to the bottom that is designed to fit just inside the 35 gallon drum, and I have looked but not been able to find a PE drum in that size. 55 gallon yes, but not 35. I've considered cutting a 55 down, as they are taller, but the basin doesn't fit too well and I figure it would slide around too much and if I left junk in it ( I never do though) it might try to tip over and fall out of the drum. I guess I could weld up another ring to fit, but too lazy.