Parts Washers, anyone?

[JackG]

I'm getting my home shop set up, and I bought a Northern Tools #159468
50 gallon parts washer. I also bought 10 gallons of the PSC-1000
petroleum based solvent from Tractor Supply (they had a better price).

I just put the washer together, and as I was about to fill it, I
noticed a label on the inside lid saying to use only aqueous based
solvents. I found small print in the manual that it would wear out
the pump faster if you used petro based solvents. However, it has a fusible
link on the lid in case of fire... so it was designed for flammable
solvents.

The label on the box and description in the Northern catalog make no
mention of water based only. Their web site groups the washer into
the "solvent" based washers, as apposed to the "aqueous" based
washers.

Bottom line... I'm wondering if it's safe to use petro based solvents
in this washer? I really don't want to use water based, and I'm
betting the warning to use only water based is a "cover their ass" sort of
thing.

Does anyone here have some experience or advice?

Jack

[rbennett]

JackG, I was raised on a farm (isn't everyone ), no seriously I was!!

If you do not have small kids around the house, I would deffently go with the solvent based, aqueous based does not compare.

For safety reasons, as you are well aware, solvents are flamable (geeez I sound like my dad RIP)

What kind of mods are you preparing for that requires a parts washer??

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

I'm guessing that the Pump uses Nylon Case or impeller which is not impervious to Mineral Spirits over the longterm. If the Pump is the submersible type (as mine is) just pull it after use and rinse it in water. I have been using Mineral Spirits in mine for over 10 years and the Pump is still fine. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[gharari]

JackG is washing his axles/cv joints in it.

Jack, if it is an electric pump, be careful. Sparks from the pump motor + flammable solvents = not good.