Shop Stuff

[Operation Overlord]

So I am in the process of repairing the brakes on my 3A.  I've currently been using a combination of brake cleaner, wire wheel, and wire brush to scrape off all the old dirt and grease before I coat the parts with paint and reassemble.  I've been seriously considering a parts washer to help out.  Is it worth it money and sacrificed garage space or should I just keep trucking and spend the money on parts instead?

[F Bill]

Your main concern with any parts washer is cleaning or reclaiming the fluid, and waste disposal. If you have a wood stove you might be able to dispose of your own, but it isn't recommended.

That said, every shop I ever worked in had a Safety Kleen parts washer and it was changed out for new fluid every couple of weeks or months, depending on how busy we were. To get equal results at my home shop I have to spend lots of quarters at the local car wash (Until they put up a NO GREASE  sign like many have...) and I go thru carb cleaner and brake cleaner like crazy.

At the minimum I would get a 5 gal pail of solvent, and a wash tub to use it in. Kerosene, mineral spirits, or purpose made parts cleaner all will work, your mileage may vary. If you have a hazardous waste collection day in your county, you might be all set. Otherwise you might want to make a deal with the local Safety Kleen guy.

[macrisel]

Depends on what you are going to be using it for in the future.  I have had a parts cleaner for years and have loved it and have had good luck with it.  It was a cheaper one from a farm supply store and is really nothing more than a metal box with a small pump and shelf in it.  The nice thing about it is it keeps the mess contained and gives you a place to place parts in to soak.  My Dad, brother-in-law, friends and myself have used it quite a bit and I usually have to replace the fluid once a year or so.  That being said, we usually scrape off the worst of the crud prior to putting it in the cleaner and let the cleaner finish it off and get in the cracks and crevices.

While a parts cleaner is not an absolute MUST HAVE....it is definately nice to have around!

[Carls_jeep]

I have a home built parts washer and use heating kerosene in it. Mineral spirits has gotten to expensive and the heating kerosene is a good cleaner. When I change it out I take the old kerosene to an automotive shop that I can dump it into their waste oil tank. I keep a gallon or two in milk jugs for fire starter.

[F Bill]

Carl, Just curious what you are paying for Kero... Last time I was up in the Northeast I remember them selling it at Home Depot for nearly $5 a gallon. I think mineral spirits is close to $6 or $7 if bought from the paint store.

Others have used diesel fuel with success.

If you have someone who heats with waste oil usually they are glad to get something flammable to add to their mix, especially something thin like Kero or thinner. If the place collects waste oil to recycle often they want ONLY waste oil, not any fuels in the mix.  My local OReillys is one of those recyclers.

Lots of people have used gasoline as a solvent for parts cleaning. While it does work, the vapors given off by a pan of gas are pretty dangerous, especially if you have a pilot light in your shop furnace.

I don't know if anyone has mentioned using rubber glolves while working with solvent,but it is always a good idea. Back in the old days I used the parts washer sink as a hand washing station.. Don't think I would do that nowadays. Your skin will absorb some nasty stuff, and of course all the oils in your skin wil dissappear and your skin will dry up and be prone to cracking, etc.

[jamesr]

Oh!  Thats what happened to my skin.  I thought it was old age!  Musta washed my face in it a time or to. Whew! JamesR

[Redrockman]

I have found washing parts with Kerosene has a plus, they don't rust like many other cleaners, due to a thin film of oil left on the washed parts.

When i finally get around to the washed parts after ordering repair parts, finding the money for the same and going on to other items while waiting, very rarely do i find surface rust!!!

The vapors wont cause an explosive mixture settling to the floor just waiting..........

My .02 cents

Redrockman

[Gunslinger]

Denton
How many jeeps or old machines are you going to do?  I've found it helpfull for stuff like this, where you have a limited budget to spend your money on parts, not tools, some of the specialty items can be expensive, or never used again.  My suggestion would be to take the parts to the local garage/repair shop, you know the one with the owners name above the door.  Drop them of on Friday night and ask him if he would put them in the washer to soak over the weekend.  And then you can pick them up on Monday after he cleaned them a bit.  Might cost you 5 or 10$ but no muss, no fuss, especially with all the hazardous material hurdles to jump,these days.
Todd

[Operation Overlord]

Yeah I think i'm going to hold off for now.  I like the idea of dropping parts at an old shop.  That would probably be easier and less to worry about.

[johnrb3b]

China Freight has a passable parts washer on sale now and then for around $35. Watch newspapers and magazines for coupons.
It's big enough for medium sized parts but not big enough to immerse a brake drum.
Since you're probably buying parts cleaner anyway, a cheap cleaner with a pump in it is really handy.
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-1-2-half-gallon-parts-washer-96952.html
Treat it gently and it'll pay for itself quickly.

[gmcjr]

Reminds me when I was in high school, I was more into the mechanic stuff than dad ever was, I scrounged up one of those parts washers that sit on top of a little 10 gallon drum, I filled it full with paint thinner,  it sat out in a open carport, it worked great. About a year went by, I decided it was time to clean it out, little bit after the dirty stuff was dumped on a rock pile at the back of our property,  dad walked up to see what was going on, and thumped his cigarette butt in the middle of the wet spot, he about crapped in his pants!!!!

[Gunslinger]

Reminds me when I was in high school, I was more into the mechanic stuff than dad ever was, I scrounged up one of those parts washers that sit on top of a little 10 gallon drum, I filled it full with paint thinner, �it sat out in a open carport, it worked great. About a year went by, I decided it was time to clean it out, little bit after the dirty stuff was dumped on a rock pile at the back of our property, �dad walked up to see what was going on, and thumped his cigarette butt in the middle of the wet spot, he about crapped in his pants!!!!

Now that's what I'm talking about!!  True Jeepin memories!  Good show.