[Shop-talk] Great deal on a Pressure Washer

[Mullen, Tim (IS)]

I have to tell people that would appreciate the deal I got...

I was leaving Lowes last weekend (I had to pick up a couple of metric
bolts), and as I walked past the stuff they display on the side walk
outside, I spotted a pair of pressure washers in their "scratch and
dent" section.  One was a 3,000 PSI Troy-Bilt unit priced at $40 "for
parts".  It was missing the nozzles, but the rest was there.  It had a
note with it that it had been brought in for "unknown repairs.  I
grabbed it up and took it home.  It turned out that the problem was that
the hose fitting leaving the pump was a bit messed up.  When you
attached the hose, it would only screw on a couple of turns - when the
engine was started, the hose would blow off.

Well the fitting turned out to be replaceable, but before I even started
finding the new part, I took it to the store and tried on a quick
disconnect fitting.  It screwed completely on and fit fine.  After
reattaching it to the output line of the pump (with the quick disconnect
fitting attached), I tested it and everything works just fine.  So for a
total cost of $40 for the pressure washer, $25 for a set of nozzles, and
about $9 for the quick disconnect fittings, I now have a 8.75 HP, 3,000
PSI, 2.7 Gal/Hour Pressure washer in almost brand new condition.  I
would have bought the quick disconnect fittings anyway as I like the
convenience.  I'm happy.  Now I just need to figure out what all I can
do with the thing.  :)


Tim Mullen