Just as a side note to the pump issue.... a friend of mine bought a hf parts washer at a garage sale, he put solvent in it instead of water base degreaser. Got all ready to clean some stuff and pushed the ****on and woosh the whole thing went up in flames. He managed to get it out of his shop before the fire department and paramedics had to be dispatched. BTW It was new in the carton without directions. Mine is a br*** gear driven pump that sets in a 7 gal. bucket of solvent. It is older than I am and belonged to my father before me.
I have a Little Giant submersible pump in mine. Right now, the whole parts washer is outside under a tarp until spring and I can build a shed onto the side of my garage to house it and my compressor. I just went out to the garage to look for the two spare pumps that have been on a shelf for years to get the model numbers and hell, I can't find'em. Little Giant pumps are avaialbe from Grainger and Little Giant probably has a web site. Be sure to confirm the pump you are considering is rated for this application. And, don't buy a big pump. Too big and it'll flow so much solvent, you'll get splashing and misting which will make your shop and clothes stink.
Do you have a Northern Tool or Tractor Supply nearby? Or you can mail order one from McMaster Carr or MSC. McMaster is a great company. You will spend more on the pump then the HF washer. But its the Heart of it. FWIW I use to use Kendal Parts cleaner from NAPA that worked well. Its like Varsol. Low flammable. Lately I use Simple Green slightly watered. Its cheap and Biodegradable. I use the Crystal Simple green as its not as smelly as the regular. You have to be careful not to soak parts to long in it as it can turn Br*** and Aluminum and such. A 5 gallon Container is about 45 dollars.. http://industrial.simplegreen.com/ind_products_crystal.php be safe
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