How to use an ultrasonic cleaner

[Bryan Burns]

Bought one because GJ told me to but I don't know how to use it! Came from an estate sale and doesn't have instructions, a cover, or baskets.

I understand that you can't put items on the bottom and you have to suspend them.

But, Panknuckshovel suggests:

A tea infuser/steeper. Squeeze the handle and the ball opens up like jaws, then just lean against the side of the cleaner. No more fishing with your hand for small pins, screws, bearings, etc.

Seem like things would be touching the bottom in this scenario. Do some of you let things touch bottom?
Also, what is the advantage of a cover? Noise suppression?
Here's the Cole Parmer. I paid $100 for it which is more than I wanted but I know Cole Parmer is a scientific instrument maker so I factored that in my decision.




Web specs say this thing should have a heater but I only see one dial so I suppose there isn't a heater.



So, how do I use this to clean say, a ratchet? Fill tank with 50-50 water/cleaner, suspend ratchet with improvised wire basket, and turn knob to, let's say 5?

 

[ssdave]

The wood racks on your unit allow you to put a dowel across, and then suspend the item from wires. That's a very effective technique.

Personally, I would have passed on a used unit that was missing the lid and basket, because you can buy a new unit with those items for less than twice what you paid for the used one with the missing parts. However, now that you have it, just go ahead and use it with whatever improvised suspension you can get, it will work fine. Be on the lookout for a stainless steel wire basket that you can adapt to fit into your cleaner with a minimum of wasted space around it (1/2" is adequate). The basket is very handy for placing and removing stuff, particularly when the solution is hot.

 

[Mickey O]

Manual: https://pim-resources.coleparmer.com/instruction-manual/08890-xxthru08894-**.pdf

 

[Bryan Burns]

Manual: https://pim-resources.coleparmer.com/instruction-manual/08890-xxthru08894-**.pdf

Thanks! I searched for the manual myself but didn't find this.

 

[Davefr]

1. Don't let anything touch the bottom of the tank. Cleaning intensity starts at about 1-2" from the bottom of the tank. Objects on the bottom of the tank can reduced the tuned ultrasonics and even damage the tank and transducers.

2. Use a stainless steel basket that hangs on the sides. Or make one:

3. Your unit doesn't look like it has a heater. Heated solutions can help the cleaning process.

4. The lids are to reduce noise and retard evaporation.

5. There are many different cleaning solutions you can use. Sometimes as simple as water with a little detergent added. L&R makes some excellent solutions but they aren't cheap.

6. Before you proceed too far with that cleaner I'd suggest you perform an aluminum foil test to ensure it's working properly. Just google it and you'll find some youtube videos showing the process. A good US cleaner should pretty much destroy a piece of aluminum foil in about 5-10 minutes.

 

[guy48065]

One tip I've read is running the tank with plain water then set a bowl of solvent & your parts in the basket. Only the small quantity in the bowl gets dirty. You can run several items in different solvents at the same time.
I haven't tried that yet.

 

[RBFD415]

Point of reference - I got a HF unit back in 2016. I did 2 motorcycle carbs that were disassembled into about 100 pieces. The HF unit does have a heater and a plastic basket. Nothing in their instructions mentions suspension of objects. I used industrial grade Simple Green cut with water. Overall I was impressed with how they came out- though some pieces looked better than others. I did just notice that the basket has oddly developed a hole in it? Also the control panel is coming apart now. But honestly- at $79.00 new- it did what I wanted and I would recommend the unit. I couldn't tell you how many cleaning cycles I ran it through durring the fall- but it was alot!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[signcrafter]

Once you get your basket figured out buy a can of jewelry cleaner like this, http://www.sunshinejewelry.com/jewelry-cleaner-p-3564.html. Just the first one I found from google. Throw the wife's dirty **** in the jar and set into the cleaner full of water and let it go. It comes out sparkling like new and she will be crazy happy. The best part is the only work for you is opening the lid and putting the jewelry in and pressing the start button. I just have the HF model but it works good.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Point of reference - I got a HF unit back in 2016. I did 2 motorcycle carbs that were disassembled into about 100 pieces. The HF unit does have a heater and a plastic basket. Nothing in their instructions mentions suspension of objects. I used industrial grade Simple Green cut with water. Overall I was impressed with how they came out- though some pieces looked better than others. I did just notice that the basket has oddly developed a hole in it? Also the control panel is coming apart now. But honestly- at $79.00 new- it did what I wanted and I would recommend the unit. I couldn't tell you how many cleaning cycles I ran it through durring the fall- but it was alot!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

This has echoed my experience. I do throw parts in there ,no suspension,in my Aldi unit, I will insert the handle for a cycle,flip it over and cycle the other side with half of it hanging out the small unit.
I microwave a quart of water for 4 minutes add some hurricane cleaning solution(about a cap full) .
I also have the HF $79 unit ,but I have not used it yet. I use mine to clean Flea market and pawn shop tools mostly.

 

[guy48065]

Once you get your basket figured out buy a can of jewelry cleaner like this, http://www.sunshinejewelry.com/jewelry-cleaner-p-3564.html. Just the first one I found from google. Throw the wife's dirty **** in the jar and set into the cleaner full of water and let it go. It comes out sparkling like new and she will be crazy happy. The best part is the only work for you is opening the lid and putting the jewelry in and pressing the start button. I just have the HF model but it works good.

Just not pearls. I guess ultrasonic eats pearls.
(FYI)

 

[BUDSVTX]

I got a 6 quart one for Christmas. it has a built in heater, all Stainless steel. I put hot water in, set the temp, add 1/2 cup of ZEP Formula 50, and turn it on. I have cleaned several carburetors, tools, brass parts and a bunch of other stuff. I do Hit&Miss engine restoration and it works great for fuel system parts, pumps, check valves. Stuff I don't want to put in the bead blaster. Don't know how I ever did with out it.

BUD