ultrasonic cleaners for rebuilding carbs, etc
- Thread starter groucho
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signcrafter
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- May 9, 2012
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I have a cheap HF one that I use for small engine carbs. Does a great job on them. Won't do carbs much bigger so size depends on what size carbs you are working on.
2bbl's and 4bbl's. But, from what I've been hearing it might impress me enough to want to clean other bigger parts around here. What do you use in yours and what ratio? Any before/after pics? THX
sean Buick 76
Well-known member
Contact Ken at Everyday Performance... He does all my carbs and they all look amazing and perform great on the dyno, track, and street. Tell him Sean Buick sent you and he may give you some secrets on how he re-does his carbs to look so nice. 
http://www.everyday-performance.com/
http://www.everyday-performance.com/
Contact Ken at Everyday Performance... He does all my carbs and they all look amazing and perform great on the dyno, track, and street. Tell him Sean Buick sent you and he may give you some secrets on how he re-does his carbs to look so nice.
http://www.everyday-performance.com/
Does he use an ultrasonic cleaner?
william.m.hamilton2
Well-known member
I have the larger unit from HF. Used it so far to clean a set of broken down 40DCOE18's. I don't think it done wonders for the actual alluminium finish- but all the channels and internals are clean as a whistle. It was fun watching the sheen come out of all the little bits as it went. I used distilled water and a household (shaklee) degreasing agent. Worth all the $40 or so I spent! Esterior to make it pretty will be soda blasted.
4xdog
Well-known member
I have an old Branson industrial heated ultrasonic bath -- seriously heavy housing with a stainless tank , from a premier name. Given to me by a friend who wasn't using it often in her lab. It's about 6" x 6" x 6" in size. I use it *all* the time. It's especially good for cleaning my bicycle chains (which if done every 300-500 miles will maintain a chain almost forever).
I use it with water/detergent systems and with solvents. It's too small for many things, but at the same time good for many others. I'm a big fan of an ultrasonic bath in a shop. I wish I still had the 24" x 8" x 8" model from one of my old labs.
I'd hunt eBay and or CL to find another commercial one if I were in the market. The typical consumer/home ones seem awfully wimpy, and make me think their transducers aren't as powerful as the industrial versions.
I use it with water/detergent systems and with solvents. It's too small for many things, but at the same time good for many others. I'm a big fan of an ultrasonic bath in a shop. I wish I still had the 24" x 8" x 8" model from one of my old labs.
I'd hunt eBay and or CL to find another commercial one if I were in the market. The typical consumer/home ones seem awfully wimpy, and make me think their transducers aren't as powerful as the industrial versions.
laser3kw
Well-known member
300 - 500 miles? that's like every 15 to 20 years or so?
rslaback
Well-known member
I'd go with this one as an entry level. When I first got mine I used carb cleaner in it. You really don't need to and it will start eating the plastic if you do. Now I just use Simple Green in mine which works just as well plus it isn't a hazardous substance to get rid of.
One thing to note. If you have a shop dog they won't like it. Every time I run mine my dog hides in her kennel.
One thing to note. If you have a shop dog they won't like it. Every time I run mine my dog hides in her kennel.
BillK
Well-known member
Big misunderstanding by most people. While the Simple Green is not considered hazardous, as soon as you clean something with oil or grease in it, then the result does become hazardous. Probably not an issue in your home garage, but good to know.
300 - 500 miles? that's like every 15 to 20 years or so?
I put over 1000 miles on my Beach Cruiser in 13 months. I rode 20 miles alone today, and will probly do 30+ with friends tomorrow. I do this close to every other week. Do the math
4xdog
Well-known member
300 - 500 miles? that's like every 15 to 20 years or so?
Hah! Well, I did say almost forever...
Fyrme
Well-known member
1. Absolutely Yes!
2. as big as you can afford
3. see number two
4. They make chemicals just for US cleaners, but I use 1/3 simple green cut with 2/3 water. Be careful wit a degreaser and aluminum. if left in too long, it will turn the aluminum black.
5. No particular brands but look for a stainless unit with a adjustable temp heating element and timer.
I bought mine to clean small engine carbs. I really wish I would have been able to afford a bigger one now though. I've used mine to do everything from carbs, to tools, to nuts and bolts. I LOVE it.
chrismenke
Well-known member
Also, make sure you note whether the basket is included at purchase if you go for a larger unit. They can get expensive if not packaged into the deal.
sean Buick 76
Well-known member
I am not sure, i just know his carbs look better than new.... It is worth an email to him...
Fyrme
Well-known member
You should never put a flammable liquid in a ultrasonic cleaner. I'd reconsider what you you're putting in there.
Giddyup
Well-known member
I would also reconsider using flammable liquids.
When I use the USC at work I use HFE 7100, works well.
Glenn
robin1731
Well-known member
I use one to clean carbs. Also use it to clean master cylinders, brake calipers, and anything else that will fit. I am talking motorcycle parts so they are smaller. I use a mix of simple green and distilled water. You don't want to leave aluminum in there very long. It will discolor it. Like someone else said I use a soda blaster to get the outside of carb bodies looking nice.
little d
Well-known member
Guys,
I got a question for ya all. I've used white vinegar for years now to clean carbs, nuts and bolts, etc... Works damn good but, ya gotta let things soak and depending on how bad they are, it can take a few days.
My question is, to the guys that have these cleaners, I wonder if this would speed up the processes and still end up with the finish ya get with the vinegar?
I got a question for ya all. I've used white vinegar for years now to clean carbs, nuts and bolts, etc... Works damn good but, ya gotta let things soak and depending on how bad they are, it can take a few days.
My question is, to the guys that have these cleaners, I wonder if this would speed up the processes and still end up with the finish ya get with the vinegar?
WBrowniv
Well-known member
I just got done cleaning all four carbs from my Corvair with my ultrasonic. I have a older lab quality model with a 2.5 gal. capacity. I was told to use Simple Green Extreme Aircraft cleaner in it as it would not harm the aluminum castings. I mixed it to the strongest ratio listed on the bottle. I was absolutely blown away with how clean these parts came out! They look brand new and spotless. I did not know Simple Green made this type of cleaner but I swear by it now! I bought it through Amazon.
rdn2blazer
Well-known member
They're easy to make with a viberetch pen and a container to hold whatever cleaning fluid you prefer. I made one to clean some small parts. Worked great. I just taped a viberetch engraving pen to a piece of steel plate and taped a container to the vibe pen. Put some 91% alcohol in and the parts and flipped the switch. The alcohol was perculating just like a regular ultrasonic does. You can see it working in this pic.
One time at work I needed to clean some parts so I taped a small container to the on/off switch box for the Bur-King 2" belt sander we had. The switch box viberated exactly the the right frequency to ultrasonic clean perfectly in just a few minutes. Anything that viberated at a high frequency should work.
One time at work I needed to clean some parts so I taped a small container to the on/off switch box for the Bur-King 2" belt sander we had. The switch box viberated exactly the the right frequency to ultrasonic clean perfectly in just a few minutes. Anything that viberated at a high frequency should work.
Attachments
Catamount
Well-known member
I swear by the $50 HF unit. I've cleaned about 4 carbs in there, along with various yard sale tools or other dirty bits. I've used Simple Green or Totally Awesome cleaner, usually at 20% to 80% water.
Here is the Holley from my boat. Soak it, turn it, soak it, turn it, soak it, etc...
Rebuilt:
Keihin carb from a motorcycle before:
After:
Here is the Holley from my boat. Soak it, turn it, soak it, turn it, soak it, etc...
Rebuilt:
Keihin carb from a motorcycle before:
After:
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Catamount, what model is that? I can only find one unit at HG, & it's a LOT smaller...
Tommy
Tommy
I'd like to pick up a ultrasonic cleaner, but I don't think the HF units will be large enough and I worry about their longevity.
outdoorspace
Banned
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I've seen people put an old D/A in a vise and strap the paint gallon can of carb cleaner to the top and turn it on low for a few hours.
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SMKS
Well-known member
The larger HF unit isn't long enough for things like long ratchets, but a lot of normal length ratchets fit in it. I've also used it for small engine carbs.
I've had my HF unit for about 4 years and used it quite a lot. It still seems to work well for me. I'm sure there are better units, but for the price I paid I'm really happy with the HF ultrasonic cleaner. You'll find the exact same cleaner sold under many different brands and at many different prices.
http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-95563.html
I bought it because I didn't know how much I'd use one. I've used it a lot and it keeps on ticking. For $60 - $70, your investment is pretty small. If it fails in a couple years you'll probably have gotten your money's worth and can decide if you can justify spending much more for a better unit. Mine is still going after 4 years.
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paranoid56
Well-known member
another huge fan of that cheap HF sonic cleaner. i picked one up a few months ago and i love it. they have a heater on them so the fluid can get nice and hot and really clean the metal.
Ok, you guys have me convinced that I NEED one of these cleaners for a bunch of my m/c carbs that need cleaning.
Some quick research turned up this thread about using smaller containers (beakers, bags, etc) filled with your favorite cleaning solution to hold the smaller parts so you don't foul up a whole bowl of solution or water:
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general-archive/tips-wanted-using-ultrasonic-cleaner-home-shop-96298/
Also, this thread gives some additional suggestions for solutions to use on aluminum parts (namely KrudKutter and Simple Green Pro HD), that won't discolor it:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=771218
Some quick research turned up this thread about using smaller containers (beakers, bags, etc) filled with your favorite cleaning solution to hold the smaller parts so you don't foul up a whole bowl of solution or water:
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general-archive/tips-wanted-using-ultrasonic-cleaner-home-shop-96298/
Also, this thread gives some additional suggestions for solutions to use on aluminum parts (namely KrudKutter and Simple Green Pro HD), that won't discolor it:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=771218
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SMKS
Well-known member
I use simple green or purple power diluted with water.
For a variety of reasons I like Simple Green a little more, but either ones works, as do many other cleaners.
For a variety of reasons I like Simple Green a little more, but either ones works, as do many other cleaners.
Catamount
Well-known member
dillymann
Well-known member
How big is yours? What capacity is it?
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Thanks, Catamount!
Tommy
Tommy
GarageWarrior
Well-known member
One problem with Harbor Freight ultrasonic cleaner is that it will only go for up to 8 minutes at a time. It's not very powerful, and some stuff take hours to clean ... having to reset it twenty times in a row gets in the way, but for the price it's Ok.
Repsolracer22
Well-known member
i can tell you pretty much anything you need to know about these things ....
Repsolracer22
Well-known member
the part that produces the ultrasonic sound waves is call a transducer. the quality, power, and quantity of the transducer(s) is where the difference is. just like tools, epoxy paint, building materials, etc etc etc there's cheapy and quality. you get what you pay for with ultrasonic machines too.
there are junk china ones (HF, ebay, etc) and there's mid grade, and super high quality. I have had ultrasonic machines for years.
you definitely want one that has a heater unit that heats your bath. and then get one that puts out good wattage. you probably arent running a shop using the machine every single day, so you dont need to spend $4-$5000. But don't go for the $300 unit either. There are several automotive/motorcycle ones that are between $1500-$2000. I would never spend less then that.
Keep in mind that they take up a good amount of table top space. Some units have a way to prop up the basket after you clean. Others dont. Get a unit that has this prop, or you'll hate yourself. You should have a 5 gallon bucket of some sort filled with water that sits next to your unit. You need to dunk all your cleaned parts in this to get off the soap solution because that stuff can actually cause a clog in a carb if you dont.
A couple of brands that are mid-grade are Crest, and Omega Sonic. Crest has been around forever and makes tons of units for every industry. They are NOT made in China, but are made in malaysia. I have a couple of crest units and they are fine. Not over powered or under powered. Great machine for the money. 2yr warranty. Has the heater and prop feature.
I havent used Omega Sonic but have researched them plenty. They have semi-pushy sales people. Their bench-top units they claim are made in Germany. Same power and features. Under $2000.
DO NOT EVER USE "pro ultrasonic" they tried to scam me with a ****** unit. Long story, but I will never ever use them, talk to them, or recommend them
A HIGH QUALITY expensive unit is a company in NY called SEVERE CLEAN. They have a mickey mouse website, but a very very good product. Expensive. But great product
there are junk china ones (HF, ebay, etc) and there's mid grade, and super high quality. I have had ultrasonic machines for years.
you definitely want one that has a heater unit that heats your bath. and then get one that puts out good wattage. you probably arent running a shop using the machine every single day, so you dont need to spend $4-$5000. But don't go for the $300 unit either. There are several automotive/motorcycle ones that are between $1500-$2000. I would never spend less then that.
Keep in mind that they take up a good amount of table top space. Some units have a way to prop up the basket after you clean. Others dont. Get a unit that has this prop, or you'll hate yourself. You should have a 5 gallon bucket of some sort filled with water that sits next to your unit. You need to dunk all your cleaned parts in this to get off the soap solution because that stuff can actually cause a clog in a carb if you dont.
A couple of brands that are mid-grade are Crest, and Omega Sonic. Crest has been around forever and makes tons of units for every industry. They are NOT made in China, but are made in malaysia. I have a couple of crest units and they are fine. Not over powered or under powered. Great machine for the money. 2yr warranty. Has the heater and prop feature.
I havent used Omega Sonic but have researched them plenty. They have semi-pushy sales people. Their bench-top units they claim are made in Germany. Same power and features. Under $2000.
DO NOT EVER USE "pro ultrasonic" they tried to scam me with a ****** unit. Long story, but I will never ever use them, talk to them, or recommend them
A HIGH QUALITY expensive unit is a company in NY called SEVERE CLEAN. They have a mickey mouse website, but a very very good product. Expensive. But great product
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rslaback
Well-known member
And to all of us hobbyists with the $70 HF unit that have been successfully cleaning carbs you would say what?
I've got the Kendal model HDS-49-DHT
Ultrasonic: 240 watts
Heater: 300 watts
Frequency: 42 Khz
I'm really pleased with it. Large enough to do "reasonable" sized stuff, and as somebody pointed out earlier for small objects you can just fill the unit with water then put a smaller container with your parts and chemicals inside of it. I use a canning jar with mineral spirits for my carbs and it works great.
Ultrasonic: 240 watts
Heater: 300 watts
Frequency: 42 Khz
I'm really pleased with it. Large enough to do "reasonable" sized stuff, and as somebody pointed out earlier for small objects you can just fill the unit with water then put a smaller container with your parts and chemicals inside of it. I use a canning jar with mineral spirits for my carbs and it works great.