Put straight water in the tank, then put your parts in ziplock bags with what ever cleaner solution you use. This keeps the tank clean and you can use different fluids for different jobs without the mess. You can also use plastic jars or glass jars.
The most negative aspect of the HF unit is the short timer cycle options. The heating element works well and transducer size isn’t terrible for the size of the unit. But keying for 8 minute cycles gets annoying. I’ve had a few and my current unit works well, but I’ve found that the chosen cleaner has the largest impact on cleaning results. Good review and if you could use a super coupon it’s a decent buy.
Cleaner does have an affect on it's ability to clean better and faster. "Simple Green D" works well especially if you clean many aluminium parts. "D" in simple Green designates aluminum safe. Beware as some degreaser products will turn aluminium black in a sonic cleaner. Thanks for showing this video.
I think it would be interesting to take same parts with similar dirtiness and put one in bucket with cleaning solution and the other in ultrasonic cleaner with same cleaning solution. Leave them in the same time and see how much of a difference the ultrasonic machine makes.
I love how quiet this unit is compared to industrial ones I have used at work. Good capacity, cleans very well even with just water, heat level isn't bad. I like this machine. But the 8 minute timer limit will drive you commit machine murder... Most industrial ultrasonics have at least a 30 minute max cycle. Running over every 8 minutes to turn the blasted machine on is just crazy.
Just a warning about this cleaner that's not mentioned in the instructions. One of the functions of the cleaner is the ability to heat the cleaning solution; you just turn the switch on and it heats ...a little LED is the only indication the heat function is on. The warning? The heater *NEVER* shuts off on its own. Leave it on long enough (or forget to turn it off and leave it plugged in overnight) and the heater will boil the solution. There is no limiting thermostat for the heater. I came into the garage next morning to a foul smell and a little smoke in the air; my nose led me to the HF cleaner. All the solution had boiled out and the plastic tray was melting (source of the stink) ...and the heater was still on. My bad for leaving the thing plugged in overnight but, without it running, I didn't see any harm. Except I forgot about the heater. Take away? Unplug this thing when your done.
@@ShainAndrews Nothing in the instructions about a timer for the heater. When I first got it I figured it would heat the solution to a predetermined temperature then cycle. But there's nothing in the instructions indicating it does. Based on my experience it will continuously heat as long as the heater is turned on ...IIRC, there is no light to indicate the heater is on either.
@@Mikado463 They must have changed the design. Trying to think how old mine is. Has to older than five years. Maybe seven. Heater is on a timer, and it has a light.. Cycle the heater twice and you can't put your hand in the solution. Why in the hell would they do away with that? That's HF for you. When they have a good design jump on it, because it seldom lasts.
One tip,take a few small parts,put them in a zip lock bag,fill with simple green,push out the air and toss them in the tank full of hot tap water,works just as well and you only dirty a small amount of cleaning solution per small batch of carburator parts for example....
I got this for my gun parts. I am currently cleaning my suppressor with it. Just using water right now but will try some solution next time. I’m happy with the purchase. Also, your shop is awesome!
You might want to use distilled water instead of tap water in the cleaning tank as tap water contains minerals which don't help when trying to clean parts
I got the same results with a bucket of cleaner and the girlfriend vibrator. She keeps wondering why she has to purchase so many vibrators. The only down side is the part smell like fish.
Your average degreaser will not work that well from what I have found. Another parts guy did a review using different cleaners with an ultrasonic cleaner. The top 3 from best to less best was toilet bowl cleaner, CLR, and then Vaporust. Just keep in mind some products are not good for aluminum parts. CLR or Vaporust might be the best every day products for parts.
The defect I see with this product is that the "basket" (it's really just a *tray*) is a joke. The sides of a real basket would be as deep as the reservoir. That way, you wouldn't lose parts during the wash cycle, and you wouldn't have to stick your hands in cleaning solution to get your parts out. This is the only US cleaner I've ever seen with this issue.
So this lady climbs on a bus in Minneapolis heading for Duluth. She doesn’t want to get on the wrong one so she asks the driver, “does this bus go to-Duluth?” The driver sez, “nope goes beep-beep like all the rest of them!”😃😂
Be careful because if you use an ultrasonic on certain metals it will cause micro fractures in what you are trying to clean and then you may have catastrophic failure on a part.
Please give an example. Ultrasonic cleaning is used in the medical, electrical, airline, defense, and nuclear fields just to name a few. If microfracture was a concern, I promise you they would not be cleaning nuclear fuel and Naval aircraft parts with it.
@@trackcarzllc I tried sending you the link so you could read it for yourself, but it says that aluminum should not be cleaned in an ultrasonic because it may cause micro fractures in the metal. Sorry for not being able to send it but I tried, maybe RU-vid is blocking it.
1:08 DO NOT use that cleaner on aluminum or anodized parts. If you doubt me take an empty soda can. Turn it upside down and just fill the bowl with some of that cleaner and let it sit. It will not take long to start getting hot (exothermic reaction). Eventually it will punch a hole straight through it (again not very long). Sodium hydroxide does not play well with aluminum. It is a phenomenal degreaser as long as it is not aluminum.
You’re probably right! I haven’t cleaned any aluminum with that cleaning solution, but thanks for the info! I might just play with it to see what happens and how much it eats the aluminum
@@trackcarzllc It's kind of neat to watch what it does to a soda can. Not so cool when you forget which product you are using and spray it on polished aluminum or expensive black anodized parts. Damn near instantly removes anodization. Causes a heavy oxide layer on aluminum. It can be polished back... but who has time for that? LOL.
I was using it and it started stinking, smoking and popping. Operator error really isn't possible with this POS as there is only a couple buttons on it. You select the amount of time you want it to run(or try to) and then you turn heater on if wanted and press start. Timer counts down and it automatically shuts off. I took it apart and the transducer is only glued in place. Not very well either. What I assume happened is the glue gave out and the transducer fell over and made contact with something live. I typically don't have problems with purchases from there but this thing is garbage.
well have not paid for any except the 1st one. they replace them no charge. Just was not worth the hassle anymore. My comment was more about the poor quality......It seems to me that they would stop carrying them after the first 10 or 100 where returned malfunctioning.
Try using the proper solution before you make a review and actually read the directions on how to use the solution for the stuff you’re trying to clean. You’re putting tap water..smh wash your hands covered in grease with hot water. Lol waste of content
