HF Ultasonic cleaner

[Bigmeat]

I am thinking about purchasing the HF Ultrasonic cleaner. Is it any good?

 

[augustus]

i have one that I use on a regular basis. My complaints are it's sort of small, not very powerful and biggest of all is I have to keep resetting the timer to run long periods, so it needs babysitting. I think it's been worth the price though.

 

[Newell33]

I received one as a gift about two years ago. I tried using it once with water. It did absolutely nothing. It probably would have worked better with an ultrasonic solution. I haven't tried it since.

 

[ndnchf]

I have the larger one. It works fine for me. One tip - be sure to seal the joint between the top of the metal tank and the plastic. Otherwise, when you pour out old solution, it can get down into the electronics. Silicone works fine.

 

[seang81]

I think its awesome....use it all the time for small carburetors and they come out looking like new. I've only used diluted simple green for solution but i'm sure there are better options. The heat function takes a long time so I usually heat water on the stove. The hot water makes a big difference.

The unit is pretty small.

 

[TomB19]

I like mine. I use it with simple green with good results.

It's no magic wand but after a good soak in hot solution with the ultrasonic on, dirt and contaminants tend to brush off with a small scrub brush, even if they were welded on before.

Lately, I've been soaking door hinges and other cabinet hardware in it to soften paint. It works well for this too.

 

[CobraRed]

Thumbs up from me, many years worth of cleaning fired brass and using it to reload.

 

[notlob]

I have used the 2.5 liter HF model for about 2 yrs. It works fairly well, but is starting to make screeching noises at startup. It's undersized for many uses, including auto carbs, has no control for the heater temp (on/off only), and the 8 min max timer is a real PITA. You need to be very careful to not allow any liquids on the front panel. It doesn't come with a basket, just a cheesy plastic tray which eventually falls apart.

My next ultrasonic cleaner will be one of these:

3 liter:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HGNM5WE/?coliid=I3VYN7MNUR0GG1&colid=AJIMBM47ZIW7&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

Or, more likely, the 6 liter:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HGNYO0U/?coliid=I3VYN7MNUR0GG1&colid=AJIMBM47ZIW7&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

 

[notlob]

BTW - if you do buy the 2.5 liter HF cleaner, this is a very worthwhile upgrade for ~$13. Fits perfectly.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HLBL24O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03__o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[dogdog]

I am thinking about purchasing the HF Ultrasonic cleaner. Is it any good?

have one for 5+ years or so.... great little thing... for small engine carb, small parts cleaning and glasses... but if you are looking for something heavier duty, you might want to spend 2x more and look at those commercial units.... dependents on what you are doing...

Oh! right... when I first bought the unit, I was expecting it to de-rust since it is ULTRA-sonic... it ain't happening...
just know your expectation and what it actually does is two different thing...

 

[mowersplus84]

I have 4 that I use in my Shop for doing Carbs I have had them 5plus years with no issues

 

[M6erfan]

I've had mine for about 5 years too. I keep waiting for it to fail so I can buy another larger unit, but it just keeps truckin'.

 

[2manytools]

I didn't realize HF had one of those. I might have went that route, but while doing some faucet maintenance, I bought this jewelry cleaner for ~$25, and has been perfect for my needs. Only gripe is its timer is rather relatively short. But it warms the liquid, I've been using CLR, and does a great job cleaning.

For someone who has minimally sized parts, I highly recommend going this route. After seeing that picture of the $13 basket (included with the one I linked), the HF might not be that much bigger than mine. For what ive used it for, dealing with the 2-3 or so minutes timer is fine.

 

[Magnum440d100]

I have a very well used one. Got it for cleaning brass for reloading.

I cleaned a carb for my Suzuki ls650 and it came out very nice.

I’ve had it for about 2 years now. My only complaint is that if I turn on the unit and then the heater, I have to unplug it and let it “reset”. Then I have to turn on the heater first, let it warm up and then turn the unit on.

Gonna step it up here soon and get a more professional unit....

 

[Dmoen]

I recently got one. Biggest complaint is the timer. 4ish minutes max!! But absolutely no timer on the heater? Yea I’ve came into the shop Twice now wondering what a awful burning smell is only to find I have left the unit heater on for days at a time and the water is gone, and the plastic tray melting in the bottom slowly. BONE dry. Twice. Oops. It does still work though! I just have to be a bit more cautious. I have used a combo of dawn and water, simple green and water, purple power and water, pineapple and water, straight water, and the best so far seems to be my powdered detergent for my Cuda parts washer mixed in water


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Danglerb]

Thing to watch on all of these, and why I would skip the HF, the claimed power is heat AND ultrasonic combined. Less than 150 watts of ultrasonic isn't going to impress in practice.

 

[Davefr]

I own several ultrasonic cleaners including some high end units from Elma, Crest, Branson and L&R. I also have that HF cleaner.

The problems with the HF "toy" cleaner are:
- Very wimpy/slow heater, no thermostat
- Very short cleaning cycles. (need to keep resetting the cycles)
- Poor quality fan with short life
- Cheap plastic case, prone to leaking at the seam.
- Very small tank
- Plastic basket - absorbs ultrasonic energy

If you want a budget cleaner, spend a few bucks more and get this one for around $100 on Ebay.

- It's 6 liter and all stainless steel including the basket/lid. (plastic baskets absorb ultrasonic energy and should never be used)
- It has mechanical controls. (don't get digital/touch screen on these low end units)
- The heater is 300 watts which is pretty reasonable for a 6L unit. (it's 6L digital counterpart only has a 180 watt heater). Heat is invaluable in cleaning effectiveness.
- It has a 3 transducer design for 180 watts ultrasonic power.
- I believe the OEM is Beijing Ultrasonics. You can replace the generic ultrasonic driver circuit boards if you ever need to.
- I took it apart and it looks like a very good design. Same gauge stainless steel tank as my Elma which was 20X the price.

I bought this exact unit as a spare and it does a great job. However it's pretty noisy!! (the high end units tend to be much quieter)

 

[notlob]

I own several ultrasonic cleaners including some high end units from Elma, Crest, Branson and L&R. I also have that HF cleaner.

If you want a budget cleaner, spend a few bucks more and get this one for around $100 on Ebay.

Your points are well taken. I'll be ordering that unit from eBay - $104 & free shipping!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ZOKOP-6L-Tank-Capacity-Dental-Stainless-Digital-Ultrasonic-Cleaner-180W-Power/352536783321?hash=item5214d469d9:g:AooAAOSwMI1cCI8P:rk:2f:1&frcectupt=true

 

[got2boostit2]

I have used the 2.5 liter HF model for about 2 yrs. It works fairly well, but is starting to make screeching noises at startup. It's undersized for many uses, including auto carbs, has no control for the heater temp (on/off only), and the 8 min max timer is a real PITA. You need to be very careful to not allow any liquids on the front panel. It doesn't come with a basket, just a cheesy plastic tray which eventually falls apart.

My next ultrasonic cleaner will be one of these:

3 liter:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HGNM5WE/?coliid=I3VYN7MNUR0GG1&colid=AJIMBM47ZIW7&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

Or, more likely, the 6 liter:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HGNYO0U/?coliid=I3VYN7MNUR0GG1&colid=AJIMBM47ZIW7&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

I got the 30L version of this cleaner - only 40 mins cleaning time ATM, but kicking myself for not making purchase sooner. Tried Simple Green, Super Clean with parts in Ziploc baggies and some Subaru Valve covers in the UC basket and am extremely pleased. Will see with the rest of the parts that need cleaning.

 

[f575gtc]

I got the 30L version of this cleaner - only 40 mins cleaning time ATM, but kicking myself for not making purchase sooner. Tried Simple Green, Super Clean with parts in Ziploc baggies and some Subaru Valve covers in the UC basket and am extremely pleased. Will see with the rest of the parts that need cleaning.

I hear most degreasers eat away at aluminum, wouldn't simple green in an ultrasonic cleaner amplify the damage?

I want to buy the 30L one to throw my heads and case halves in there but I am nervous I will destroy the metal with these.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Picked up a similar unit to what @Davefr mentioned off ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-6L-Ult...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

Haven't used it yet other than a foil test: base, 30s, 2min, 5min

 

[Stadger]

I bought the HF cleaner nearly 10 years ago and it has worked quite well. Thanks to the experts on this thread I now know how crappy it actually is.

 

[anndel]

I use mine to clean small parts and bicycle chains. It works well with undiluted Simple Green or orange cleaner.

 

[Bagherra]

happy with mine...use it clean my gun parts...

gonna pick up one of the baskets from Amazon! Thanx!

 

[2taol]

Im not sure there would be damage over the space of 1 or 2 cleaning cycles especially after neutralising or rincing the cleaning solution after.

I have heard of people using lemon juice as part of the cleaning but that i imagine would eat through alu, depending on the strength of course.

 

[got2boostit2]

I hear most degreasers eat away at aluminum, wouldn't simple green in an ultrasonic cleaner amplify the damage?

I want to buy the 30L one to throw my heads and case halves in there but I am nervous I will destroy the metal with these.

I tried two or three different parts, the Subaru thermostat housing in Simple Green discolored. The valve covers did not, some of the bolts discolored others did not. Kind of hit or miss IMHO

 

[dodge610]

I have the larger HF unit have zero complaints about it. When it goes bad I will replace it with another HF unit.