brownspirit wrote: Looking to get a nice quality parts washer for the shop.  I had an el cheapo years ago, it leaked and the pump burned out.  Hoping to get something good if the budget allows.  Thanks, Andy

keep an eye out on your local craigslist, greensheet, thrifty nickel or local newspaper, a lot of good equipment is sold when a small shop goes out of business.

I've had a HF parts washer for many years, well, at least 10, and have had no problems.

I use the "environmental friendly" cleaning solution sold at parts stores in the 5 gallon can with good results.

P.S. Now that I've bragged about it I better check that its not leaking.

I'm on my second HF parts washer.   I bought the first nearly 20 years ago.  It did rust through last year, probably because I got water in the solvent, and water sinks to the bottom where you can't see it.   Got a new one back in November, filled it with fresh Zep parts washer solvent (not cheap, around $200 for 10 gallons).   Hope to get another 20 years out of this one.   Never had problems with the pump, actually kept the old one for a spare.

Bob

tufcj

Take a look...

I worked for this company years ago designing custom machines for large companies, but their smaller turntable type washers were very popular in auto shops.

https://www.betterengineering.com/turntable-washers/genesis-parts-washers/" rel="nofollow - https://www.betterengineering.com/turntable-washers/genesis-parts-washers/

My parts washer, of unknown brand, has an aquarium pump in it. It held up fine to mineral spirits, but I put gun wash in the tank one time and that melted the pump. (I guess fish can take only so much solvent) Replaced with the same pump and it's fine again with mineral spirits.

I had one of those stand-alone dish washers on casters once. When I remodeled the kitchen, it got a new, built in unit and I tried exactly that. Dang did it work good for about 3 weeks. I used Zep soap and just kept an eye on it so when it got to the drain cycle I would just shut it off. I presume the petroleum products deteriorated some plastic part somewhere because it quit pumping one day so I threw it away. If I were to do it over, I'd try and make it so it drained the dirty water into a filtration system of some type that I could wait for the oil to separate from the water and skim it off. Or use some of the parts and repurpose them into a bigger, all steel cabinet that could fit a transmission case.

I went with a HF pump and it worked for the 4 year cab off frame rebuild of a Ford pick up.

Now I filled it with Zepp Industrial Purple Degreaser at 100% and rinse the parts with water.

http://https://www.lowes.com/pd/Zep-Industrial-Purple-Degreaser-and-Cleaner-Concentrate-128-oz/5001417355?cm_mmc=src-_-c-_-prd-_-lwn-_-ggl-_-DSA_LWN_127_Cleaning-_--_-0-_-0-_-0&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImPqvgs_b-AIVdhvUAR2NkAuwEAAYASAAEgLQmPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds" rel="nofollow - http://https://www.lowes.com/pd/Zep-Industrial-Purple-Degreaser-and-Cleaner-Concentrate-128-oz/5001417355?cm_mmc=src-_-c-_-prd-_-lwn-_-ggl-_-DSA_LWN_127_Cleaning-_--_-0-_-0-_-0&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImPqvgs_b-AIVdhvUAR2NkAuwEAAYASAAEgLQmPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I bought it in 5 gallon buckets and topped off as needed.

When I needed it months later I found the liquid had evaporated but it left all the dirt in the bottom LOL

The pump did not sit on the bottom so it did not pull in any dirt.

Dave ----

I have seen home made parts cleaners using an old cast iron farmhouse sink, 30 gallon barrel, and an old used sbc oil pump. The motor was mounted up high with a pvc pipe with short rubber hose on each end for the drive shaft. Make a framework to support the old oil pump up off the bottom and clamp a large sock to the sink drain. Cheap and functional. Cut a plywood cover if you are worried about vapors

It sat for about 4 years without being used when I moved.  I was pretty sure I would have to replace it, but nope, for the past year it still runs just fine!

Of course I am not going to say you are going to see the same quality from HF as we did back then, but buying a used part washer, you have no idea what was put through that thing.....

Jeremy

I've got a turntable washer that I bought when a transmission shop closed up.  A Kwik-Way 213 to be exact.  Half the wiring is sketchy so I haven't used it yet.

These are great for large solid pieces, blocks, heads, cranks, etc. but when it come to degreasing things like PS pumps, steering gears, etc. you can't beat a solvent tank cleaner.  Both have their place.