Ultrasonic cleaner

Dave38

Dave38

theemperorhasnoclotheson
Silver Member
Has anyone used an ultrasonic cleaner like this one? http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-95563.html
I am considering trying it for cleaning joint pins, SS and brass collars, etc. as they all seem to have a film on them. I have some 3/8x10 rod that I use for the A joint and it is really oily and cleaning them with cloths and brushes take a considerable amount of time. Any input welcome. I am also thinking of using it to remove the air bubbles in epoxies. I've read on a pen building site about how they do it.
Dave
 
Dave38 said:
Has anyone used an ultrasonic cleaner like this one? http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-95563.html
I am considering trying it for cleaning joint pins, SS and brass collars, etc. as they all seem to have a film on them. I have some 3/8x10 rod that I use for the A joint and it is really oily and cleaning them with cloths and brushes take a considerable amount of time. Any input welcome. I am also thinking of using it to remove the air bubbles in epoxies. I've read on a pen building site about how they do it.
Dave
Click to expand...

I've got the smaller one from them. Although I've never tried using it to clean pins I've found it totally useless on items that I have tried it on. I tried cleaning ivory and stone inlays of the glue that I use when cutting and the solution that I use dissolves the glue in the same amount of time using the machine or just soaking, I've tried cleaning both brass and chrome shells for reloading and it took longer than normal tumbling and never came out nearly as clean. I threw it over onto my junk pile to try out on jewelry in case I ever happen to get some.

Dick
 
Thanks Dick for your input. I noticed that the small one you bought doesn't have heat as an option. I think that makes the big difference. I bought the larger one, and I got to say, I'm really impressed. It took 2 - 8 minute cycles with heat to completely clean the 12 pins I put in. They are 3/8-10 and the oily/dirty grime was into the bottom of the threads, and now it's completely clean. I used a mixture of water and mean green from Walmart. Afterwards, I used a white paper towel and pressed it into the threads and then turned it to rub against whole length of the pin, and it came out white - no dirt. I then put in 2 brass collars, and those came out spotless in the threading also. I HIGHLY recommend this for cleaning parts such as this. It was on sale, and a 20% coupon, so it only cost $55.
The best part is that you can put them in, start it, then walk away and do something else while they get cleaned.
The only drawback is that you need to run a bead of silicone along the inside seam at the top. This will prevent liquids and moisture to reach the insides and short stuff out.
Dave
 
Dave,
Ultra sonic cleaners are desinged to remove dirt and other particals from products which you can not easily access with brushes.
They are not intended usually to be using solvents to remove films.
All the ones I have used , use water and a detergent. Some do heat the water to make like a warm water wash action.
For removing oil from machined parts, washing in a solution of Dawn original dish liquid at a 1-4 ratio then rince in water, seems to be one of the best ways to clean parts.
When done correctly, the parts will stay wet with a water film for more than 30 seconds.
If the water breaks before then, it is not clean.
Wear gloves as this will make your hands wrinkle really fast.
You can also use a solvent like break clean , then clean as above.
If the parts were made using a sulphurised oil,then the the solvent rinse helps to get the worst of it off the parts.
Basically, I found that if the parts were free of micro chips and grinding particals, the ultrasonic cleaner was of no benefit compared to using the detergent.
I try to keep exposure to solvents to a minimum.Only use them when other options seem not to be working.
Drying parts at elevated temps also help alot to drying clean.
Minerial free water means that most of the spotting or water marking will not be there.
 
ultra sonic cleaners

i dont really think for 70 bucks you will get a very good cleaner. i have been using them for the last 30 years or so in my jewelry business. i believe the one i have cost around $400.00.
like a lot of items someone can always build one cheaper that looks good, but might not work so good.
the cleaning solution you use also makes a lot of difference.
for a quality ultra sonic 2 places come to mind and both are jewelry supply co. NOBLE 1 800 864 7675 and RIO GRANDE 1 800 545 6566.



chuck starkey
 
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