Let’s talk about the cleaning machine you have or like and what good about it. What is bad about the sonic cleaner form Harbor freight?
So my experience is not with a HF, mine was a Grizzly. Also had a heater. I assume the HF is of the same cloth as the Grizzly. It flat out just did not work. Way too weak and water never got hot enough.
So I bought a real one.
Ultrasonic Mobile Cleaning Machines | UltraSonic LLC
I have the 2400FA.
Pros:
- big enough for cylinder heads
- within limitations of what an ultrasonic cleaner will do, it cleans very well
- adjustable power
- cleans in places/crevices you can't see, never mind get into
- standard cycle is 3 minutes, sometimes several cycles are required
- has a timer so I turn the heater on in the morning and off in the evening
Cons:
- you need to understand limitations of an ultrasonic cleaner - it will not take any grease off other than a light coat, and does not work well on most soft surfaces - sometimes need to preclean
- need to be very careful - will absolutely take paint off, need special precautions with brass/copper, can hurt aluminum (if heavy impurities, can etch the impurities so usually so I turn the power down) and can hurt other finishes
- fairly loud - should be wearing ear protection
If I have concern that it will hurt a finish or a part, I turn the power way down, and even with that sometimes I don't turn it down low enough.
One of the best tools in my inventory.