Parts cleaner

[Tony Wells]

I have (in storage) a recirculating parts washer from Safety-Kleen. It is a rectangular basin sitting atop a 35 gallon drum. There is a submersible pump, like a Little Giant coolant pump that does the recirculating. There are no filters. On the drain hole, a drilled plate keeps small parts and large debris out of the solvent. In the barrel, there is about 5 gallons of water. The solvent, usually 15 gallons or more, being lighter, floats on top of the water. The pump is held high enough to pick up only the solvent. Any real debris or dirt, etc. falls out of the solvent and accumulates in the water layer. I used to clean it once a year or so, when I wanted fresh solvent. Eventually, the water will rust the barrel out, so it is common now to use a heavy version of a trash bag, along the lines of 10-12 mil thick to line the barrel. Lasts virtually forever that way.