Should I get a parts washer?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cheyguy · 03-29-2003, 02:49 PM

I've been going back and forth for a month now. Would I use it enough to justify having it take up space? What do you guys think? Thanks!

casey · 03-29-2003, 03:11 PM

really depends on how much your realisticly going to use it, if you got lots of money and room then ok, other wise nope

Dreaminator · 03-29-2003, 03:41 PM

Be as mean and lean as you can.

trailwart · 03-29-2003, 04:03 PM

you dont need lots of money, you can get a 20 gallon parts washer and solvent for less than 100$ as for space it takes up no more room than my tv stand and mini fridge in the garage. once you have it you will find more than enough use for it

cdowns · 03-29-2003, 04:05 PM

you can't go wrong in buying tools it's always money well spent

oldsub86 · 03-29-2003, 09:32 PM

I have one and I think it is worthwhile. I don't waste as much solvent since it gets recycled.

Class of 69 · 03-29-2003, 09:55 PM

Exactly what Trailwart said!! I have a 20 gallon washer, and got "parts cleaner solvent" from NAPA. better than mineral spirits. I think the solvent was $25.00 for 5 gallons, and the washer was about $50.00. I don't use it all the time, but it's there when I need it. Kind of like having a motorcycle, don't justify it, just have it!!!

Fred T · 03-29-2003, 11:30 PM

I use mine almost every week. I get safety solvent from a nearby CO-OP, cost is about $3 a gallon. The only problem is in the winter, I need to get a magnet style crankcase heater. If you're trying to keep an old truck running, or restore one, it is well worth the investment. Don't get one of the little ones, the 20 gallon size is barely big enough for the crank pan off a six.

lngbed71 · 03-29-2003, 11:34 PM

Yes, get the machine, it beats the crap out of using gasoline and a coffee can.....

hobby67stepside · 03-29-2003, 11:43 PM

I don't know. I have a parts washer and I still use a hog pan and gas or kerosene sometimes.

Erl · 03-31-2003, 03:04 PM

NEVER use gasoline to wash parts. The flash point is too low. Try diesel fuel for a cheap and convenient fluid.

Kid · 03-31-2003, 03:36 PM

I couldn't live with out one

**1971Stepside** · 03-31-2003, 03:43 PM

I have wanted one for years so I could clean the parts when I began this project. Now I am glad I didn't spend the money because I have yet to find a time when I needed one. I guess having a friend with a sandblaster has made the difference....

mikep · 03-31-2003, 10:55 PM

I like the sandblaster route too. Ive got a pressure pot blaster for big stuff and a 4 foot wide cabinet for "smaller" stuff. Ive also got a smaller motor driven rotating drum automatic blaster that I dont think Ive used in a few years . I used to use it for production work but it just takes up space now.

oldsub86 · 03-31-2003, 11:53 PM

I have the pressurized sandblaster too and a little sandblast cabinet. What I really want is a big sandblast cabinet. Blasting makes such a mess and isn't healthy. Not only that but recycling the blast material is useful if you are using something other than sand because the medium can get expensive.

03-29-2003, 02:49 PM	#1
cheyguy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Manchester, TN Posts: 217	Should I get a parts washer?? I've been going back and forth for a month now. Would I use it enough to justify having it take up space? What do you guys think? Thanks! __________________ '71 Cheyenne Super '80 Custom Deluxe '75 Blazer

03-29-2003, 03:41 PM	#3
Dreaminator Dreaminator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Posts: 156	Be as mean and lean as you can. __________________ The Dreaminator Daily Driver 1971 Cheyenne 10 Lwb Tilt/Tac 402 .030 TH400.

03-29-2003, 04:03 PM	#4
trailwart Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: michigan Posts: 356	you dont need lots of money, you can get a 20 gallon parts washer and solvent for less than 100$ as for space it takes up no more room than my tv stand and mini fridge in the garage. once you have it you will find more than enough use for it __________________ 72 chevy 3\4 ton 4 speed 4x4 84 1\2 ton 4x4 (gone but not forgotten, thanks for the memories) 1999 suburban 4x4 1982 chevrolet S-10 V-8 (Thanks uncle EARL)

03-29-2003, 04:05 PM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	you can't go wrong in buying tools it's always money well spent __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

03-29-2003, 09:32 PM	#6
oldsub86 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 695	I have one and I think it is worthwhile. I don't waste as much solvent since it gets recycled. __________________ 1968 Chevy - 292 with a powerglide

03-29-2003, 03:11 PM	#2
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	really depends on how much your realisticly going to use it, if you got lots of money and room then ok, other wise nope

03-29-2003, 09:55 PM	#7
Class of 69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Stillwater MN Posts: 1,166	Exactly what Trailwart said!! I have a 20 gallon washer, and got "parts cleaner solvent" from NAPA. better than mineral spirits. I think the solvent was $25.00 for 5 gallons, and the washer was about $50.00. I don't use it all the time, but it's there when I need it. Kind of like having a motorcycle, don't justify it, just have it!!! __________________ 69 GMC K10 ..some restoration required....still..

03-29-2003, 11:30 PM	#8
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	I use mine almost every week. I get safety solvent from a nearby CO-OP, cost is about $3 a gallon. The only problem is in the winter, I need to get a magnet style crankcase heater. If you're trying to keep an old truck running, or restore one, it is well worth the investment. Don't get one of the little ones, the 20 gallon size is barely big enough for the crank pan off a six. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

03-29-2003, 11:34 PM	#9
lngbed71 Nothing fits but the oil Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Gaston, Indiana Posts: 424	Yes, get the machine, it beats the crap out of using gasoline and a coffee can..... __________________ Land of the free Because of the brave

03-29-2003, 11:43 PM	#10
hobby67stepside Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 952	I don't know. I have a parts washer and I still use a hog pan and gas or kerosene sometimes.

03-31-2003, 03:04 PM	#11
Erl Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 555	NEVER use gasoline to wash parts. The flash point is too low. Try diesel fuel for a cheap and convenient fluid. __________________ 1968 GMC 305 V6 3/4 4x4 Stepside 06 Corvette Daily Driver Dallas TX

03-31-2003, 03:36 PM	#12
Kid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Kansas Posts: 702	I couldn't live with out one __________________ The kid Build threads: 51 Jimmy http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=154951 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=219902 http://www.classictrucks.com/feature...uck/index.html 68 C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=50348

03-31-2003, 03:43 PM	#13
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	I have wanted one for years so I could clean the parts when I began this project. Now I am glad I didn't spend the money because I have yet to find a time when I needed one. I guess having a friend with a sandblaster has made the difference.... __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

03-31-2003, 10:55 PM	#14
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	I like the sandblaster route too. Ive got a pressure pot blaster for big stuff and a 4 foot wide cabinet for "smaller" stuff. Ive also got a smaller motor driven rotating drum automatic blaster that I dont think Ive used in a few years . I used to use it for production work but it just takes up space now. __________________ No truck :-(

03-31-2003, 11:53 PM	#15
oldsub86 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 695	I have the pressurized sandblaster too and a little sandblast cabinet. What I really want is a big sandblast cabinet. Blasting makes such a mess and isn't healthy. Not only that but recycling the blast material is useful if you are using something other than sand because the medium can get expensive. __________________ 1968 Chevy - 292 with a powerglide



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