Build a pressure washer?

Bob_Trevithick · Apr 30, 2002

Probably wouldn't work, but I just got an air compressor finally, and I seems like I should be able to make my own pressure washer for it.

I have an image of something like a 55 gallon drum. Water outlet on the bottom, air hose attachment on the top. Fill the drum part way with water, pressurize it, and spray.

Would I end up with:

A) A workable pressure washer?

B) A bomb?

C) A new entry for Ripley's Believe it or not? /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

I can't find any pressure washers that don't have their own electric or gas-engine power sources.. which I guess is what I'm hoping to accomplish (saving some money...)

Thanks,
Bob

Soundguy · Apr 30, 2002

You would most likely end up with something that gave you pressure like a household water supply.

Soundguy

Bob_Trevithick · Apr 30, 2002

Not nearly enough pressure, eh?

I saw a reference in another thread to something at Northern Tools called a "Thunder Gun." You hook up both a water and an air hose, and get what they claim is superior to a 500psi pressure washer. I think I also saw a comment here about not to bother with it. Anybody have something like this? It's about $35. Just to clean mud off the frame, it might be worth it?

Bird · Apr 30, 2002

Bob, it may just depend on which one you get (and I'm not sure how you determine which is a good one without trial and error). Many years ago, I bought one when I lived in town and don't remember which make and model it was, but it didn't work worth a hoot. There was no check valve on the city water and I was blowing air back into my water lines. However, now I have an Amflo 2000-G Hydro Air Gun that works great with my air line (100-125 psi) and my garden hose (84+- psi).

My brother originally sold it to a customer who thought it would have a pencil sized solid stream of water and it doesn't; it has an adjustable spray pattern but will not make a solid stream, so I took it. Paperwork says it works with 75 psi or more air pressure and approximately 70 psi water pressure.

It might (or might not) suit you, but it sure suits me; came from Amflo Products, 1111 East McFadden Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705, phone: 714-547-9000 or 800-922-3606.

RanchMan · Apr 30, 2002

I purchased (thru JC Whitney, I think) one of those "pressure" washers that used your air compressor & hose. Not only did it not work worth a flip, but it kept the compressor going past its duty cycle (20 gal/5.5HP). If you are really wanting to go the cheap route, go with one of those garden hose nozzles (not the trigger type, but the type that looks like a really stretched out funnel). They take a little while, but do get off caked-up stuff pretty well.

If you really want the pressure, but $$$ is a big concern, you might look at the $80 unit from Harbor Freight (Wal-Mart has one that looks really similar for about $90 round here.) I love mine so far (not near as powerful as the $1000 units, but good for my needs)

cmsedore · Apr 30, 2002

I'd vote for B), a bomb. If your 55 gal drum had any defects or weakness (and it is likely to have one after rusting from holding water), anything in the immediate vicinity (including yourself) would be "damaged."

Let's just say I've had a few interesting experiences making water rockets from soda bottles and an air fitting. Too much pressure and your ears will ring for half an hour. A 55 gallon drum might have you ringing heaven's doorbell.

Stay safe,

-Chris

Mrwurm · May 1, 2002

I had a thundergun from Northern before I bought my pressure washer. Worked ok, but my two hp compressor could'nt quite keep up with the flow demands. Probably would work pretty good with a 5hp. Also, I borrowed a friends electric pressure washer and it worked great. They electrics can be had for as little as $100. The one I used would even cycle itself off when it was'nt being used.
Jerry

BKColeman · May 1, 2002

I've got one of those, similar to the Thunder Gun. Mine is a Craftsman. $40.

I used it last night to clean off the siding. It has a hose where you can suck up the pressure washer cleaning mixtures. It worked decent for cleaning off the white siding (just pollen and a little mud left from construction). It was a little bit of a pain pulling 3 hoses around though. It didn't work at all on the sidewalks though. They have a little reddish tint from the mud. I ended up scrubbing with a scrub brush and using the sprayer to rinse.

I've used it to clean mud off the tractor a couple of times. It does a decent job there too, just takes a while.

I've got a 5hp CH air compressor. It seems to have enough power, I just try to let it rest every once in a while.

I think an electric pressure washer would work a little better, but I plan to buy a nice gas powered one as soon as money allows (a new house is expensive, not including the mortgage /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif), and this sprayer was a quick fix.

--Brad

hoghead · May 1, 2002

Bob..I vote b

A bomb)...better yet..a rocket. I have a 3200 psi gas washer but recently purchased an electric 1500 psi model that works well to clean tractors and implements.. http://www.northerntool.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=382417&prmenbr=6970 i dont know if this link will work.. May have to call out JMIII to see if he can post a picture

DocHeb · May 1, 2002

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.northerntool.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=382417&prmenbr=6970>Northern Tool Electric Pressure Washer</A>

This unit is ~50% more than a similiar output/pressure unit with a Honda gas motor on sale at Home Depot this week for $399.

Home Depot Honda Powered Pressure Washer
2400 PSI 5 HP 2.5 GPM Gas Pressure Washer
Model: #EXHA2425
SKU: #819683
$399, with no shipping charges.

hoghead · May 1, 2002

Thanks Chris
I dont know if I could have figured out how to post that picture..But I knew I could get a gas model alot cheaper , but i already had a 3200 gas model. I wanted the electric unit to wash cars and equipment. The electric model was to eliminate the noise associated with the gas models. Besides the better half can run this unit with no problem, so i will have half the work keeping things clean

Bob_Trevithick · May 1, 2002

Thanks, everyone! I clearly don't want to end up with a bomb like a "bunker buster", and it sounds like a project that's best left on the drawing board (or better yet, not.. just in case someone sees it and tries to build it! /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif)

However, now I have an Amflo 2000-G Hydro Air Gun that works great with my air line (100-125 psi) and my garden hose (84+- psi).

Thanks, Bird.. I'll give them a call.

Bob_Trevithick · May 1, 2002

Hi Bird,

It might (or might not) suit you, but it sure suits me; came from Amflo Products, 1111 East McFadden Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705, phone: 714-547-9000 or 800-922-3606. 

Just FYI, the 800 number is no longer in service. The 714 number got me a message that it had been changed, and when I called the new number I got a doctor's office. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

I did find a page describing the Amflo 2000-G on the web, but it now goes for $111. Would I bet better off just buying one of the $90 ones at Wallyworld? What would be the advantages of the Amflo, would you say?

Thanks again,
Bob

Bird · May 1, 2002

now goes for $111

Wow, mine doesn't look like it's gold plated./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif I like it, but not that much./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif Of course I've had mine a few years and it didn't cost me anything; my brother gave it to me.

rozett · May 2, 2002

Bob, did you bookmark the page on the web with the description of the 2000-G?

Bob_Trevithick · May 2, 2002

I did a Google search on Amflo and this was one of the pages I found. There were lots others, but seeing the price I decided to buy an el-cheapo (tm) electric one at Wal-Mart or Chase-Pitkin or some such place. I'll go look during my lunch today... just need something to get mud off the tractor.. my wheels/tires are now brown instead of black with yellow centers! /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.autotools.com/warlock/amflo.htm>http://www.autotools.com/warlock/amflo.htm</A>

rozett · May 2, 2002

Thanks. Yea, I have a 200 year old house that needs to be repainted badly. I am not about to scrape the paint by hand and I am afraid of the more powerful (and expensive) washers taking the siding away. So the cheapy would suit my needs. Besides, I could give Ziggy a bath.... he has mud and manure all over. [grim]

Bob_Trevithick · May 2, 2002

...Besides, I could give Ziggy a bath....

I had a cat named Ziggy. He wouldn't have enjoyed this experience, I'm fairly sure. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

I'm hoping your Ziggy is not of the species felis domesticus. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

RanchMan · May 2, 2002

How old is the paint on your house? No lead in it I hope!

rozett · May 2, 2002

Bob.........Ziggy is my Cub Cadet. When I was a kid, I worked on a fruit farm for nine years. I did not appreciate what Zigmund York stood for or why he was a farmer. Now that I am older and wiser (some might disagree) I have a lot of respect for that man. Hence naming the tractor in respect for him.

RanchMan..... lead Paint... now there's a thought. I'll bet that there is lead paint on there. I would think that the power washer would be better to contain the debris than scraping by hand. I don't have young kids around and I'm not about to shroud the house to remove the paint. I'll have to give this some more thought.