Northern Tool Parts Washer on sale - should I buy it?

Hi folks,

I've been thinking about picking up a parts washer for all the work I need to do on my GT. I'm about to pull the trigger on this one:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200381754_200381754

Its regular $149.00 on sale for $129 . No "big deal" but I do have a code for another $10 off by way of a Northern Tool elecontronic gift card for a future purchase.

Is this a good deal for a decent unit? I've read mixed reviews of the washers from Harbour Freight (not recommended to use solvents due to seals in the motors, etc.) and I'd rather pay a few more dollars for a decent unit.

Cheers,

Tim

You cannot resist the mesmerizing lure of Harbor Freight and Northern Tool! Resistance is futile!

A parts washer is a very handy thing. That one seems like it might be big enough to actually do a decent job like a big pro model.

I've been useing a HF for 6 years trouble free. If there is a problem they tend to be easy to work with...at least for me. I have NEVER found a decent deal at NT...but I long ago stopped looking. I suspect HF is much less costly and my bet is NT is made in the same nation as HF...don't know but I'd bet....

Not to hijack the tread, but where do you get the cleaning solution. The one I have had it in it when I got it?

It a HF brand and works well.

Parts cleaner in 5 gal pails any parts shop., EXPENSIVE....but good. Leaves a residue to prevent rusting.

Thanks Martin that is what I am talking about.

The product manual specifies the a water soluble cleaner only such as simple green be used in the washer. Same as the HF models. Careful what solvents you use. The one that Robert mentioned is your best bet. And yes it is expensive, be prepared to pucker.

Thats a pretty cool parts washer. That one has a drawer, 2 shelves, and wheels compared to the HF one that has one shelf. The extra cost ($20) of the northern tool washer seems worth it for what you get.
-David

look near the back of Car and Driver magazine for a 20% coupon on anything

Here are two contenders.

The HF one on the left, the NT one on the right. Both are 20 gallon. HF is $119 , NT is $129. Both have wheels. I like wheels.

I also have a coupon for HF :) but have been bitten by quality issues there in the past - I usually only buy "consumables" or what I would call "trial tools" at HF to see if I want to by a good one somewhere else.

T

For that price I'd go for the NT unit. Looks to have a stronger frame and an extra shelf for storage or drying and only $10 more.
As for the cleaning solution, I tried the stuff sold by HF in my small HF cleaner and it wasn't worth a darn. Wouldn't cut the grease out of my wheel bearings when I needed to clean and repack them. I bought some mineral spirits at the hardware store for that job and just have it in a covered 5 gallon bucket for now. I'm going to try it in the parts cleaner and see how it does with the seals in the motor.

I just made a very serious mistake.

I let my wife read this post!

Her response:
"What do you need that for? Who thought up this silly thing as a way for you guys to spend money? Its like a big dish pan on wheels. You have a dish pan. I will give you a grate you can put in it." (after my unsuccessful attempt to point out the "features" of said parts washer.)

Then:

"Where can I vote on this thing?"

:)

Ha ha. She's a good sport.

T

I bought one of the HF models off craigs list for $50 brand new in the box ( no wheels). The problem I see is it will take a lot of fluid just to get the level up to the pump.. The same unit is on sale at tractor supply for $89.99 (no wheels)

If you use the petroleum based parts cleaner, be prepared for that pump to fail within a year and you won't be able to find a replacement. I have an HF parts cleaner sitting in my garage, worthless because the pump ate it.

I have built several parts washers using an old sink with the drainer tray molded right on,You know one of them old castiron ones.
Built a stand from square tubing and also made a shelf under the sink for the sawed off barrel to sit on,used a piece of flexible aluminum manifold to aircleaner tubing for the drain and put its exit right next to the bottom.take a 20 gallon drum and cut it off just above the second ring from bottom,purchase a chemical pump and wire and plumb it in,the wiring is in conduit but I used pipe as the threads on the pump are 1/4'NPT,plumb a hose and one of them flow style parts brushes onto the pump and hang the pump so it is about 1/2 ways between the first and second ring of the sawed off barrel.fill it with water up to the first ring then about 5 gallons of solvent to near the top.install a switch and You have a better than store bought parts washer.
Be sure to make a relatively tight lid for the barrel as You do not want it exposed in case of a fire.
With the grease and chunks flowing into the bottom water portion it traps and holds it there and the solvent floats back to the surface to be pumped through again.
With the pieces of steel I had laying around it saved Me some money and I think I had about 70 to 75 bucks invested.

Any of the parts washers under $500 are going to pretty much have the same cheap pump. Look at the size and depth of the tank and decide from there. That's the only part you're really stuck with for life!

I have a parts washer from HF that I bought quite few years ago, use varsol and pump still runs. I think both washers are imports from the same place. You could check Tractor Supply but normally NT is a little more expensive than HF.
Solvent, now getting expensive like Robert said. And the recommendation to check with a bulk dealer is a good idea. You need at least 10 gal. Have never used water soluable solvents so have no data.
Ron

the professional made for stoddard solvent parts washers all recommend using water.Like 10 gallons of water and 10 gallons of solvent.
The water stays on the bottom and filters out the crud and the solvent floats back to the surface to be reused.
The HF and NT washers are not designed for this as the solvent tanks are too small.