Anyone use an Ultrasonic cleaner?

[mike944]

Hey guys,

I'm rebuilding some small machines, and need a good way to clean small intricate parts.

I've used ultrasonic cleaners in the past, at a shop i worked at years ago. I know they're excellent at cleaning just about everything. I was just wondering if anyone has experience using these in a garage environment. They can get pricey for large sizes, so is a small-sized machine that is affordable, going to be big enough to be usefull? It will work for the specific parts that i have right now, but as a longer-term item, who knows what i'll need to clean.

I've used regular parts washers in the past, but they're kind of big, messy, and stinky. I live in a condo, with a small 1-car attached garage, so neither the big, or stinky will work for me. Ultrasonic cleaners mostly use water-based cleaning solutions, which are inexpensive to buy, and safe to dispose of.

I think i've pretty much talked myself into one in the last few days, i just want opinions on sizes, and other people's thoughts in general.

 

[bmwpower]

I don't have one, but I've needed one a bunch of times. Mainly for bolts, nuts, etc. Are they good for stuff like this?

How much? From where?

 

[mike944]

You can get them many places. Small ones are used primairly to clean jewelry, available in many catalogs, and websites for fairly cheap.

For example: on sale for $29
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3305

This one is pretty small, but big enough for nuts, bolts, and other small items. I was looking for something larger.

Probably something around this size.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91957
http://webtronics.stores.yahoo.net/lacaulclc.html

As you can see, larger-sizes aren't exactly cheap, so that's why i want other people's input before i drop a couple hundred bucks.

 

[RPH]

Got mine from the hospital. They work great but de-aerate the water prior to use. Let it run for 5 - 10 minutes to get the air out of it. They work on implosion and this creates suction. They do need air free water.

 

[martell06]

do these remove rust or mostly grease and oil?

 

[ImportTuner]

do these remove rust or mostly grease and oil?

Mostly grease and oil depending on what chemicals are used ... a tumbler is great for removing rust; I have a Turbo Tumbler (looks like a orange pumpkin used for polishing brass) that works great for remove rust from small items ..

 

[martell06]

not to hijack the thread but has anyone used the tumbler from HF?? looks almost identical to the more expensive Eastwood units.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93252

 

[-lecroix-]

i'm betting it not only looks identical ... i say it IS identical.

 

[79rallysport]

Here are a couple. I hope this link works. I have no experience with them. I just thought I would post some that I've seen before. Cricky

 

[ericthewrench]

Have one at work that works great. It's not very large, I mainly use it for cleaning carburetors and it will fit a rack of 4 motorcycle carbs with no problem. We purhcased it from a company in Ca. called K&L Supply.

 

[Mikeyworks]

I have used the HF ultrasonic cleaner (small one) to clean the injectors on my VW Diesel. It's nice and works great. The only catch is it turns off after three minutes and for a good cleaning you have to run those suckers for about 45 minutes. That's a lot of restarts!

Mikey

 

[ImportTuner]

I have used the HF ultrasonic cleaner (small one) to clean the injectors on my VW Diesel. It's nice and works great. The only catch is it turns off after three minutes and for a good cleaning you have to run those suckers for about 45 minutes. That's a lot of restarts!

Mikey

So, it's like one, maybe two injectors max in the small ultrasonic cleaner? I have the same one which my wife uses to clean rings, bracelets, etc...

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

I thought about buying an HF one and using parts cleaner in it to clean sockets and such.

I wonder if the principles of the ultrasonic cleaning would work with parts cleaning solution and how long the tub would last.

-BWP

 

[-lecroix-]

I have one of the smaller HF units ... I use a solution of water and Simple Green in it. 50-50 mix.

 

[bmwpower]

I thought about buying an HF one and using parts cleaner in it to clean sockets and such.

I wonder if the principles of the ultrasonic cleaning would work with parts cleaning solution and how long the tub would last.

-BWP

If it was stainless, it probably would be fine.

 

[RPH]

As stated earlier, ultrasonic works by imploding the micro bubbles in the solution. When they collapse they create a tremedous suction. This is why it is important to de-aerate the solution. They work great cleaning your glasses and will loosen the screws at the sametime. Also will feel very strange on your fingers. It has been said it will tighten your tendons. Depending on the frequency of the generator ( mine is about 17 kHz) The newer units I used to work on were about 20 kHz and had a very quiet hum to them.

 

[TorqueWrench]

So what do you guys use for cleaning solution. I have an old one a friend gave me, (made of SS). I haven't used it yet.

We did use to use them at work to clean circuit boards...trichlorophane(sp?) was the solution...hehe

On the tumblers, what media do you guys use? I have the little HF rotary tumbler.

 

[redvalkyrie]

I also have the HF tumbler. Works just fine. I use the green pyramids for polishing but you really need somethign more aggressive for rust.

 

[BadBloodRacing]

not to hijack the thread but has anyone used the tumbler from HF?? looks almost identical to the more expensive Eastwood units.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93252

I have one of their dual tumblers and it works great. It did snap the first belt that came with it due to overloading it alittle, but called them and they sent a new one to me no charge. Just be sure to order 2 of the polishing sand kits to have enough on hand.