Gentlemen,
Replacing a parts washer in the shop for primary clean up. Currently looking at the Graymills 422-A.

Best Price Here:
www.superkleendirect.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3429

Northern Unit:
www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_..._200305231_200305231

It is hard to pass up this model from Northern for the money difference, however, I've generally found you get what you pay for... if you are lucky. Is air agitation worth it? Your input would be greatly appreciated...

Unless you routinely clean grimy detailed castings IMHO the air agitation they are talking about isn't worth it. They are just talking about a glorified jumbo sized aquarium bubbler. If you have grimy stuff that is not baked and would come off just by soaking, I suppose it might be nice but for most stuff it really isn't that much faster than soaking.

I'm sure the graymill is quite a bit nicer than the northern tool one, but I bet they both clean the same.

Matt:
We've had a Kleer - Flo unit that sits atop of a 35 gal drum for 18 years without a lick of trouble.
The tank size is a bit of a pain when you need to rinse a 30" tube, but the flex hose gets it done.

I use Agitene from Gray Mills.

HTH

Alan

What kind of shop? That will determine what you need. If it is just a gun shop, then the bottom one is all you need. I also spend what it takes to get what I need, but for a parts washer I use the same exact lower unit you linked. I bought it years ago at our local Northern Hydraulics when they had a big sale on. It is all that is needed in a gun shop.

I got rid of my parts washer, now I remove the bigger crap with a brush and breakclean(nasty stuff) outdoors. Then I bring the parts in and drop them in a L&R ultra sonic cleaner. Less of my time involved and a great cleaning. I bought mine off of ebay and would never got back to a parts washer.
Steve

I built mine, but for a low cost parts washer one of these might do you.

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do...rts+washer&Submit=Go

I use an aquarium air pump and one of those perforated tubes from the pet shop for my air agitation in my $80 parts washer from Menards.

quote:

Originally posted by skb:
... Then I bring the parts in and drop them in a L&R ultra sonic cleaner. Less of my time involved and a great cleaning...
Steve

Steve:

I have been toying with the idea of getting a ultrasonic cleaner. What model ultrasonic do you have and what do you use for the cleaning solution? Thanks!

Glenn Fewless

Although I rarely have a customer bring me a clean gun I've never seen one that I needed a parts washer for, so I don't have one.

quote:

Originally posted by Toomany Tools:
Although I rarely have a customer bring me a clean gun I've never seen one that I needed a parts washer for, so I don't have one.

You haven't rebarrelled or customized many milsurps have you? All the springfields, enfields and mausers I ever did certainly needed some serious cleaning. Quite a few well used and older commercial actions too.

Glenn,
mine is model# I 14 B H. Its 5x9x4 inside. I use the L&R "Safety weapons ultra sonic solution". I love this thing. Mine is an older unit with the heater. Make sure it has all the parts included when you buy. Mine was missing the basket and that thing was stupid priced to replace.
Steve

quote:

Originally posted by rem721:

quote:

Originally posted by Toomany Tools:
Although I rarely have a customer bring me a clean gun I've never seen one that I needed a parts washer for, so I don't have one.

You haven't rebarrelled or customized many milsurps have you? All the springfields, enfields and mausers I ever did certainly needed some serious cleaning. Quite a few well used and older commercial actions too.

Maybe he has...but has a different way of cleaning....why dont you knock the chip off your shoulder.

Steve:

Thanks for the informaion. I have this big gift certificate from Brownells burning a hole in my pocket and was thinking of getting a unit. I believe they carry the same brand.


I just checked and they have a L&R model Q-140 Ultrasonic Cleaner that appears to be the same size as yours. Man, you are right, they sure are proud of the basket and pan. Does one really need the basket or pan? Is there a suitable alternative?

Would you get the same unit again or consider a bigger one or different brand?

Thanks again for your help.

Glenn

Glenn,
for my uses the unit is perfect. There are larger ones for much more money that can do a barreled action. It would be nice, but I cant seeing paying that much more for a bigger one. The basket makes getting the most out of the machine easy. For tiny parts I bought one of those woven baskets for seeping loose tea leaves. Works great for 4$. I'm very happy with the L&R unit. If I this one dies, I think I'll get another just like it. I have no idea how many hours I saved over the last 3 years, but I certainly got my money worth out of the unit.
Steve

Matt

I used to do a lot of general gunsmithing and repair. So I did a great deal of cleaning. I bought a parts washer from Harbor Freight about 12 years ago for around a hundred bucks.

It has an air agitation feature that I experimented with quite a bit and finally came to the conclusion that a good soaking was just as efficient.

I have used it a great deal and it has never given any problems. I mix my own solvent. It is similar to Cylinder & Slide "Dunk It". It cleans very well, is economical, and leaves a light coat of oil for rust prevention. It has a very high flash point so is very safe to use in the shop.

I just dont see the need for an expensive parts washer unless it was in a big shop where several employees used it daily. Even then the only thing to go out would be the pump and they are pretty cheap.

quote:

Originally posted by rem721:
You haven't rebarrelled or customized many milsurps have you? All the springfields, enfields and mausers I ever did certainly needed some serious cleaning. Quite a few well used and older commercial actions too.

It is statements made in this manner which put people off this site. You don't know anything about me, other than I don't have a need for a parts washer, yet your willing to question my experience?

If I worked on engines and transmissions I'd have one--I've had them for that purpose in a past life. I personally don't have a use for one in my gunshop. I do "serious" cleaning of military surplus rifles that are coated with preservatives with paper towels and rags as they take up much less space and are also easier and cheaper to deal with.

Steve:

Thanks again. Couldn't ask for a better recommendation. I'm agonna get me one.

Glenn

quote:

Originally posted by Toomany Tools:

quote:

Originally posted by rem721:
You haven't rebarrelled or customized many milsurps have you? All the springfields, enfields and mausers I ever did certainly needed some serious cleaning. Quite a few well used and older commercial actions too.

It is statements made in this manner which put people off this site. You don't know anything about me, other than I don't have a need for a parts washer, yet your willing to question my experience?

If I worked on engines and transmissions I'd have one--I've had them for that purpose in a past life. I personally don't have a use for one in my gunshop. I do "serious" cleaning of military surplus rifles that are coated with preservatives with paper towels and rags as they take up much less space and are also easier and cheaper to deal with.

John, I meant no slight to you. perhaps the question I posed reads more harshly than I intended. Still, I can't see how you are going to get the interior & threads nicely cleaned up. I too have used paper towels & solvent but the end result was never as good as when I used a parts washer.

Anyway, I did not mean to offend, please accept my apologies.

Gentlemen

One option that you might want to take a look at is a product called Prolix.

I learned about it form Aleko at Heritage Arms [a poster here].

It doesn not need to be "agitated", does a great job and dries leaving lubricant behind.

He even soaks whole barrels in his tank, as well as complete handguns.

It does not burn your hands, and smells good.

I have also used it [you can get it is small bottles as well] as a general purpose lube and to wipe down the outside of my guns.

Check out www.prolix.com

quote:

Originally posted by rem721:
Still, I can't see how you are going to get the interior & threads nicely cleaned up. I too have used paper towels & solvent but the end result was never as good as when I used a parts washer.

That's what they make a 3 lb coffee can and your wife's....I mean soon to be ex-wife's toothbrush for.

I've been with and without parts washers and for 99% of gunwork, they're handy, but not necessary. Air agitation in the solvent doesn't by you much, unless you have a very fine scum on the parts, in which case they'd come clean pretty fast even without the air jets.
If you had a lot of old Milsurp stuff that was coated in Cosmoline(check spelling) or something similar, they'd provide a larger area to soak the parts in, considering you'd be spreading a lot of Yuban cans around your garage to get them all in there.

A necessity???? Nahh....not really, but they are handy.

rem721,

Appology greatfully accepted; I’m sure you meant no offence.