MetalworkingFun Forum

In one of the active threads I noticed a comment about the poster not having a parts cleaner/cleaning tank. So I thought I would show you my parts cleaner.

It uses a household sink (free from someone upgrading their kitchen), a 20L metal drum, a gear pump, electric motor, 2 automotive oil filters and fittings, some taps, plumbing pipe and fittings, hoses and a parts cleaning brush.

The pictures tell the story - nothing too complicated about it. The basin on the right is used for cleaning parts and the one on the left for draining them. I use kerosene for cleaning but you could use any liquid composition of your liking. The filters collect most of the crud and are mainly there to stop metal getting into the pump. Being a gear pump it will handle dirt and some chunky bits but this will ensure it lasts a little longer than if it were unfiltered. The large ballcock valve is closed when not in use to prevent evaporation.

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Eventually I want to get an old dishwasher and run it with caustic soda to clean parts.

very industrial

Dishwashers do a great job on parts ,,,,,, did a few motorbike parts in mine .. just put two of those washing tablets things in and set it to max ,,parts came out great ,,,,,, wife was less impressed with the results

Rob

That looks like a "propper job"
I once put 100 metres of iron ore coloured caving rope in to the washing machine
It would have been cheaper to buy some new rope
We have a parts washer at work with environmentally friendly solvent it is useless
John

Mayhem,

Smart set up

handy to have

DaveH

Mine is a garage-sale crock pot. Water, 2 or 3 tablespoons of "Spic-n-Span" and filthy parts. An hour or two on "High", then overnight on "Low". Rinse with too-hot-to-touch water, maybe a little brushing with a bristle brush, and the parts are ready to work on or coat with oil for storage. I've only used it on steel parts, so you might want to try a sacrificial piece of aluminum or brass.

Regards,
Bob

I'm a little confused as usual, but does the dirty fluid go threw the pump and then the filter? I thought it would be the other way around.

I've also got an old sink in one of my benches to use for parts washing with a trimmed 44gal drum beneath. I've got a small submersible pump designed for flammable liquids pumping direct to a wash brush. Works a treat!
Edit: on second glance, I noticed I have that exact brush

Pineyfolks: I believe the pump in use wouldn't enjoy drawing through a filter but is fine pushing through it. That'd be my guess.
Your car engine and a majority of hydraulic equipment works much the same way although they don't have an abundance of contaminants to deal with.

I made a mistake in my original post - yes, the pump draws the kero from the tank and pushes it through the filters. The pick up in the tank is slightly above the bottom, so large particles are less likely to go through the pump. The filters stop the small holes in the brush from clogging up.

(07-28-2012, 01:09 AM)bobm4360 Wrote: [ -> ]Mine is a garage-sale crock pot. Water, 2 or 3 tablespoons of "Spic-n-Span" and filthy parts. An hour or two on "High", then overnight on "Low". Rinse with too-hot-to-touch water, maybe a little brushing with a bristle brush, and the parts are ready to work on or coat with oil for storage. I've only used it on steel parts, so you might want to try a sacrificial piece of aluminum or brass.

Regards,
Bob

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"

(07-28-2012, 01:09 AM)bobm4360 Wrote: [ -> ]Mine is a garage-sale crock pot. Water, 2 or 3 tablespoons of "Spic-n-Span" and filthy parts. An hour or two on "High", then overnight on "Low". Rinse with too-hot-to-touch water, maybe a little brushing with a bristle brush, and the parts are ready to work on or coat with oil for storage. I've only used it on steel parts, so you might want to try a sacrificial piece of aluminum or brass.

Regards,
Bob

Good tip Bob! I'm going to start watching for a crock pot at the garage sales.

Ed