Ajhsys@aol.com wrote:
>
> I just bought a small (3 1/2 gal.) parts washer from Harbor Freight. I was
> just wondering what everybody uses in theirs. Is Simple Green a good enough
> de-greaser? Should I rinse the parts with water and blow dry after using
> Simple Green? Any other suggestions?
>
> Keep it cheap, because like Frank, "we tight!"
>
> TIA,
>
> Allen hefner
> '77 Midget
> '92 Mitsubishi Expo LRV Sport
Below is a reply that I saw on the shop-talk mailing list. I am reposting
it here, but I did not get the guys permission. Sorry. Thank Doug for
the detailed message.
Bill
----------------------- repost ---------------------------------------
Subject:
Update on Parts Washers and Super Agitene
Date:
Tue, 01 Jun 1999 20:29:10 -0700
From:
Douglas Shook <shook@usc.edu>
To:
Shop Talk <shop-talk@autox.team.net>
Hi all,
It must have been six months ago, or so, when we went through the
parts washer solvent thread. At that point I bought a 30 gallon drum
mount parts washer and some Super Agitene as the solvent. I promised
to give you a long-term report on whether it was worth the price (it
was not cheap).
Although I have been using it occasionally over the last six months,
over the last week I have spent most everyday using the parts washer.
I took the engine out of my 1973 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport (clutch job) and
rebuilt a basket case 1972 BSA B50SS engine to use as a backup-up for
my B50.
I lined the bottom of the parts washer with a rubber mesh I got from
McMaster-Carr (to cushion the parts and the washer), and just plopped
both engines into the washer where I proceeded to wash them down and
strip them. I think this is where the drum mount washer excels in that
you can set an assembled engine right in the tub, hose it down and
strip it (just turn off the pump when you are wrenching).
As far as the Gray-Mills Super Agitene, flat out -- it is great
stuff! I had some old Kerosene-type solvent that I used up prior to
dumping the engines into the parts washer--the stuff stinks, burns the
skin and makes one feel nauseous (my wife came outside to complain
about the smell). The Super Agitene actually smells good, has lanolin
to keep it from eating at your hands, and is not supposed attack your
liver or cause cancer. It does not cut grease as fast as gasoline (but
what does?), but it is not flammable, doesn't evaporate and lasts.
I spent the last fews days with my face in the parts washer and feel
great (no headaches, skin actually feels good, don't smell like
diesel, parts are clean and rust inhibited, etc.), and have two
engines completed. The Super Agitene leaves a lanolin coating on parts
that prevent them from rusting but is not heavy enough to warrant
stripping (just great for clutches, brakes, engines, tools, etc.).
I think this is just about the optimal arrangement for parts
washing/engine work and would recommend it to anyone who does this
type of work.
The only criticism I have is that the pump on the parts washer I
bought:
Northern Tool & Equipment
30 gallon drum-mount parts washer
Item# 159476
$259
is a 290 gallon/hr pump and it is almost too powerful. It is very
easy to spray yourself from the back-spray. You can control it, but I
did end up with some solvent on me and the floor from the over-spray.
It does speed up the washing process, though, and the wash basin is
very large and has high sides. The in-line parts washing brush is
great (the solvent flows through the very stiff brush to drastically
speed up the process. I have done quite a few engine
tear-downs/rebuilds, and this clearly was the cleanest, fastest, least
hassle. The fact that you are not working over a tub-full of solvent
with vapors in your face significantly improves the ergonomics of the
process, too.
I bought the Super Agitene from McMaster-Carr (best price and local
here in Los Angeles so I did not have to pay the shipping charges).
This stuff is not cheap (about $8/gallon) , but I think it is worth
every cent as far as quality of life and performance. It is a
pleasure to use.
Supplier Price
McMaster-Carr $41.79 for 5 gallons
Granger $44.50 for 5 gallons
The parts washer listed above will run on 5 gallons of solvent (I
tried it with only five gallons and it worked just fine -- that pump
did not even seem to notice the extra head/lift). Because I live in
LA and do not know what the EPA folks will do next, I filled the tank
with 30 gallons of the solvent, but this clearly is not necessary for
exemplary performance (I'm just storing it for future use). I
strongly would recommend a drum-mount parts washer over the tub-type
for this type of engine work. You can use the parts washer as a
tear-down/work area, you don't have to submerse distributors and the
like during the tear-down and it doubles as a work bench. The tub on
the drum (especially with the rubber mesh) catches much of the
sediment before it goes back into the solvent tank so you can easily
wipe it out with a rag (should prolong the life of the solvent).
I don't know how much of the credit belongs to the drum-type
arrangement (minimizes evaporation as the solvent always flows back
into the tank) or how much belongs to the low-evaporation rate of
Super Agitene, but after six months, there is no measurable loss of
solvent (@ $8/gallon, I was keeping a close eye on this particular
characteristic).
I thought long and hard before spending that much money on a parts
washer and solvent, but if I had it to do again, I would make the same
exact decision/purchase. It is a great combination for anyone who
wants to clean-up and tear-down machinery.
doug
|