Thread: Parts washer for a hand washer?

I was wondering if this was a good idea, I often find myself using the mill and getting my hands dirty, then wishing something was nearby to give them a quick clean (sink is a bit away). Anyone use a parts washer for this?

In my parts I mixed up some water based degreaser as the medium. It works very well and gets the gunk off fairly quickly. BUT after a short stint of cleaning the next day my hands and sides of my fingers started to dry and peel. I didn't use gloves. I have never had this problem before.

I guess I just like keeping my hands clean, it really makes feeling for grit on mating surfaces easy - e.g. vices, tool holder tapers, etc.

I just use a 2 gal plastic bucket filled with water and buy the 5-litre industrial handsoap liquid and an old towel the missus threw out.

The 5 liter soap is cheaper in the long run as it cleans properly and only needs replacement say every couple of years.

Grahame

I have a sink and a 5L container of industrial hand soap which are really useful, but I am also a big fan of using toilet paper and keep a bulk pack of it in the shed.

Besides being really useful to mop up messes, wiping down machines, especially a lathe, cleaning paint brushes with minimal solvent, etc I also use a lot of it to wipe my hands as I go along as stopping to wash hands takes longer AND long term is not real good for your skin. Even before washing I wipe my hands with it which makes the washing much more effective.

Now I usually only wash my hands if I have dirty hands and am switching to a job that needs really clean hands or I have finished for that session.

Just use a lint free rag to wipe your hands or your pants.
An old tee shirt cut up works well.
.

I love the Scott Shop towels. Get them in 10 packs from Costco. Mount them on a ship’s exhaust valve bolted to the wall above head height.

Strangely enough I have a sink in my shed that l sometimes use as a parts washer.

If your hands are really dirty, oily, or greasy the best thing is more oil, as strange as it sounds. I keep some baby oil that I use for this type of thing. It won't harm your hands (in fact it will actually help them) and gets rid of the majority of the gunk. Just rub a bit of oil liberally as if it's soap and then wipe off with a kitchen or shop towel. I have both in the workshop, but the kitchen towels are cheaper so I use them for this type of thing. Once wiped off the remaining oil seems to reasonably quickly soak into your skin, otherwise wash it off with regular soap inside.

I definitely wouldn't use something like a parts washer. It may work ok, but can cause all sorts of skin problems.

Originally Posted by chambezio

In my parts I mixed up some water based degreaser as the medium. It works very well and gets the gunk off fairly quickly. BUT after a short stint of cleaning the next day my hands and sides of my fingers started to dry and peel. I didn't use gloves. I have never had this problem before.

The skin reaction will be caused by the active ingredient is in the water based degreaser. It will be an alkali of some sort, most probably something common such as sodium carbonate and/or in combination with sodium hydroxide. Sodium carbonate is relatively benign but even with that gloves are a good idea, the reaction varies from person to person. Sodium hydroxide is corrosive to the skin even in weak solutions.

Hi Guys,

I use a barrier hand cream, it soaks into the skin and acts like a soap when you come to wash your hands. Much better than using degreasers and causing skin damage. It doesn't stop the splinters though...

Originally Posted by jack620

I love the Scott Shop towels. Get them in 10 packs from Costco. Mount them on a ship’s exhaust valve bolted to the wall above head height.

Where can I get one of those ship's valves?

Jordan

Originally Posted by jack620

Mount them on a ship’s exhaust valve bolted to the wall above head height.

How did you mount those valves on the plywood base?

Graham.

Gents,
The valve was given to me by a friend who used to service engines on ships. I think that one is from the Spirit of Tasmania.

I initially tried drilling mounting holes in the face of the valve, but it turns out they have a Stellite facing which quickly destroyed the drill bit. So I made the plywood mount. It has a rebate in the rear to accommodate the thickness of the valve and it's just screwed to the wall with green plastic wall plugs. The valve is captured between the wall and the mount.

The small valve is out of a Moto Guzzi and it's just glued on.