Modified and Upgraded Harbor Freight Parts Washer Cabinet

Tag along as I overview my modified Harbor Freight parts washer cabinet!
Complete with two-bucket sump, filtered return, and relocated power switch, this parts washer cabinet is sure to last longer than originally designed!

[@genegalpin556]

Nice work buddy!

[@SuperZmeister]

Finally, a modification even I can follow and understand - thank you for not over engineering the washer.

[@chehsin]

this has to be the cleanest and simplest set up I've seen on KZbin on a budget. I'm gonna steal your idea

[@natedejong7575]

Thanks! Go for it, that’s why I shared the video - to help others. :)

[@chehsin]

@@natedejong7575 i did use the 2 bucket method like you. thanks a lot!

[@LOCALOUTLAW1]

Best mods I've seen on the HF washer...simple & effective!

[@natedejong7575]

Thanks. It works great. I just switched to an aqueous cleaning solution so I can safely heat it. I’ll try to put up an updated video once I figure out how heat the solution effectively.

[@ferrell517]

You could do the same system with one bucket using the Shurhold 2404 Bucket Caddy. . It stays off the floor of the 5 gallon Bucket by 5 inches or so. Your pump could sit in the Bucket Caddy above the dirty fluid.

[@philliphall5198]

Thank you for information and advice It’s hell to keep it clean even just using soap and water only The HD unit for flammable and not the HF one Cool set up and looks great Thank You

[@Brianc5001]

Just an FYI the spring prop is a safety mechanism. If the solvent tank were to catch fire the spring would heat up and release, automatically shutting the lid and putting the fire out.

[@natedejong7575]

Yes, I’m aware of this fact. I never leave the washer unattended. If there happened to be a flare-up, I’d be there ready to shut the lid. Good looking out :).

[@RJB_FixinStuff]

You could also cut the second bucket down so you can put the lid on the first bucket and just put an eye hook or similar in the second bucket so yoh can lift it out. This would take up less vertical space which is very limited. Great idea by the way!!

[@megaeverything101]

double bucket outstanding

[@kitmaira]

I’m in the process of copying many of your ideas. It looks like the best setup so far, at least on the expense side. My washer pump quit, so I bought an upgraded parts washer pump designed for solvent, so I will be running the PSC-1000. My question is, is 5 gallons enough? It is a 20 gallon washer, would a bigger tank be more dire able, or is the double fiver combination sufficient? I ask, as this video is a year old, and wondering how well it has stood the test of time. Thanks for the video.

[@BrandonBrubaker]

Nice diy project!

[@natedejong7575]

Thanks B!

[@clutch5sp989]

Here's another idea. Use the cleaned pan you drain oil into along with a little gas and a brass/steel brush from HFT to clean oily dirty parts. If any liquid is left, pour it into the jug you take to be recycled with all your used oil.

[@natedejong7575]

Everyone has their preferred method! I used the method you described for years. After upgrading to an actual parts washer, I’d say this system is much faster, cleaner, and more convenient. Thumbs up!👍🏼

[@silverfoxx9612]

I have a couple of questions on your set up. First how much solvent are you using in gals? 2nd how long does the solvent last (meaning how long before you have to change it) and how often do you have to change the filter? What fuel filter do you use?

[@natedejong7575]

It ends up being around 4-5 gallons from what I remember. The solvent lifespan depends on how much heavy cleaning I do. I usually change it before doing engine assembly prep cleaning. The filter is a Napa/Donaldson filter. I’ll try to remember to get the number off of it. The filter number was picked by default after finding the generic “fuel” filter base.

[@CarlosMDominguez]

NIce. Simple and effective. Thanks.

[@natedejong7575]

You bet - glad to share! It is still working great for me. The only upgrade I have planned is the addition of a bucket warmer pad. I already switched from the Tractor Supply parts washer fluid to safety-kleen Armakleen 4-in-1, so I don’t have to worry about fires with heating the petroleum based Tractor Supply fluid.

[@usmcdoc2512]

What if you used a metal bucket and ran a heated coil in it?.... Any way you can add a parts list???

[@natedejong7575]

I would advise against heating the tractor supply petroleum-based parts washer fluid, however, it would be an excellent idea to heat an aqueous-based parts washer fluid!

[@usmcdoc2512]

@@natedejong7575 good call. I've yet to use heat. I just scrub harder. But I'll ponder the water based solvent.

[@natedejong7575]

@@usmcdoc2512 you won't regret the switch. We have a heated water-based solvent washer @ my shop. Safety-Kleen Armakleen solvent. Heated. Awesome stuff.

[@usmcdoc2512]

@@natedejong7575 thank you very much for advice. I'll definitely need it. I work in Harleys in my garage. D I need a way to clean things more efficiently. Thank you for the video.

[@usmcdoc2512]

Will a water based solvent damage the filter and do you recommend a fuel or oil filter?

[@bsirvine]

Why clean the solvent coming out of the bucket? (Using the spin on filter) It only gets dirty running over the parts you are cleaning. Clean the solvent going into the bucket.

[@ferrell517]

He wants clean solvent going over the parts.

[@lukasmatzinger]

Hi Nate, very nice build! How is the pump holding up after a year of being submersed for a year, and did you ever make the switch to after based cleaner? Cheers from Austria!

[@natedejong7575]

Greetings! The pump is doing well. I used it yesterday for a bit of cleanup work on some car parts. Yes I made the switch to water-based cleaner and I'm heating it as well. I need to do an update video as there are a couple other changes I've made with good improvements noted as well. Cheers =)

[@randybichsel4244]

I've watched about 20 of these Videos and Isn't it Funny how they always Run clean Solvent NEVER have they used dirty solvent. I don't Know about you but I use my Solvent tank, and don't just circulate clean solvent.

[@natedejong7575]

After running this up for awhile now, there is heavy sediment built up in the lower bucket. The sump design and the filter are doing a great job catching grime. Cheers!

[@dutchyducharme2844]

I'd like to know if your washing fluid is water based or solvent ? and if you have modified the washer pump to immerse it all the way into the fluid ? Thank you have a nice day

[@natedejong7575]

At this point, I’m using tractor supply PSC 1000 washing fluid. The only modification I have made to the pump is extending the power cord. The splice in the power cord is never immersed in fluid, as the pump is set in the upper bucket. The splice was done in a sealed/waterproof manner with dual-walled heat shrink.

[@natedejong7575]

I plan on changing to an aqueous washing solution soon so that I can heat it with a heating element. Heated washers work so much better in my experience. I can’t heat the tractor supply PSC 1000 fluid safely due to it being a petroleum-based fluid.

[@dutchyducharme2844]

thanks alot for your answers, I really do appreciate alot. Keep on doing great work