Tip of the day: Tractor Supply Company sells tool boxes that, while they aren't Craftsman boxes, are a lot better price (unless you catch a BIG sears sale) - and they are just almost, almost, ALMOST not enough difference to know it's not a Craftsman box. My dad's got one of those and several Craftsman boxes, he's a machinist - but he likes the last TSC box we got just as well as the expensive ones.

Click Here to look at one of 'em...

__________________


~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

That's one of those things that has been on my wish list for years. Last time I rebuilt an engine and had many parts to wash I used a dollar spray bottle filled with mineral spirits, a large plastic pan that doubles as my oil drain pan with a piece of wire shelving laying across the top as a cleaning/drying rack, and a parts cleaning brush. Total investment was under ten bucks and it worked pretty darn good. Of course I had the wire shelving laying around. You could use a grate from a barbeque grill or anything to keep you from fishing around in a pan full of solvent for your parts.

Not endorsing products but just for the record for comparison shoppers, we've had one of these for several years now. They're pretty nice. not very big obviously but just for the little stuff, it's a heck of a lot easier to make room for on a workbench.

http://www2.northerntool.com/product/419464.htm

__________________


~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

Nice idea I have a big plastic pan and an old metal window screen. Looks like I have a parts washer now. Maybe I can attach a chemical safe pump to it with a particle filter on the end so I can have a recirculating parts washer with a solution wand.

__________________
Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

I didn't realize there were washers available so cheap. I might get this and use the pan for things too large to fit in the washer. Thanks for the tip.

__________________
Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

Here are a few more...

Attached Thumbnails

         

__________________
83 SD

84 CD

I took some pics of our garage setup today with my phone.....I'll post them later on after work.....

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Heres my work area, I can't tell you how bad I want a garage. Most of my tools are stored in and old Chevy van that doesn't run any more.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
1983 300SD
200000miles

Is that a collection pool of mercedes fluids in front of the car??

At least you can lay in green grass and work on your car....if I laid outside by my car right now I'd be found expired and frozen to the earth....

Its 12F here right now. BRR.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Thats rain water. We are waiting for aproval to build a house.

__________________
1983 300SD
200000miles

It comes with all kinds of warnings about not using anything but approved solvents that have this property and that property of being safe for internal parts.

We've had kerosene in ours for a year and it still works.

__________________


~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

Geez, you guys have such nice spacious garages! Mine is so tight I've got to put a piece of foam next to the post so my door doesn't bang each time I get out It was a double-car carport though...best decision I made was to close it up into a double-car garage

__________________
1987 300TD
1984 300D
755,000 KM and going strong
BC Canada

here is mine... this picture was taken a few weeks back right after i cleaned it



what stays in the garage (on its wheels )

LOL, good move.

gatorblue... nice! The car too! Love that color.

Phil, garage too?

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
83 SD

84 CD