I had a big commercial unit, 2 ~15 gallon US tanks with a central rinse tank, probably about 1500lbs of stainless steel with Branson US generators. Got it free from a place I used to work, eventually I started building engines and it was awesome for my kart business, could clean whole engine blocks with that sucker. When I moved it to Michigan I rented a place with 3 phase and finally hooked it up so the heaters worked (didn't really need them in Arizona).I bought a HF 6 liter almost a year ago for, IIRC, $140. Since then I've run it for probably a couple hundred 30 minute cycles. I seldom have used the heat. It works satisfactorily for my needs. I've also been using HF Degreaser in it, at full strength, and it seems to do well and last quite a long time.
1 Gallon Degreaser
Amazing deals on this 1Gal Degreaser at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.www.harborfreight.com
A little levity folks. As others have mentioned, I also miss some of the resources I had access too before I retired. The picture of that Branson unit reminded me of a significant, work related, experience. I always showed up at work mid morning (and put in my 8+). The manufacturing activity was in a separate building from my office and was pretty much unoccupied after 6:00 PM. The chem/plating lab was in the mfg. building. On the night in question I ran some parts (work related, IIRC) through the UC in the chem lab. I was always very careful to do no harm and leave things as I found them because a screw-up could have curtailed my access. The next morning, I see on the local TV news the building is on fire.When I decide to stop working, the Branson is one piece I will miss. Ours a small unit B950 w/ lift.
Pierre
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I have the small Harbor Freight unit and the large unit. The small unit works good but I like the large unit better as it is all stainless larger capacity with a basket. I keep water in the small one in my loading/gun room and I place the small parts in which ever cleaner is required in a ziplock bag and it works very well without the unit actually being full of any particular chemical. The large one is in the garage and I use it the same way mostly but I have from time to time put chemicals in it since it is all metal with a drain valve. I melted a small one down once with chemicals.I miss being able to throw my parts into ours at work so looking for a smallish one for use at home . I see Vevors , HFs and others for decent prices . Anyone have pros or cons on these brands ? Will be used on carbs and other small tractor parts .