Ultrasonic Cleaner Choice

[Yojinbo]

I need some wisdom (or at least a flurry of opinions).

I am considering an ultrasonic cleaner. I know that I am looking at 2 units:

$950 Crest CP1200D http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00195RJ4A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

$750 Sonicore S300TH http://www.sonicor.com/specials/

What I want to do:
Clean sockets, ratchets, guns, wrenches, my ink jet printer head, etc.
Clean lightly RUSTY Sockets, ratchets, etc occasionally.


What I think I need:
A heated cleaner.
12" length capacity (to accommodate ratchets and wrenches)

I welcome input on the specific models, features, or overall comments from those of you who have these units (HF or otherwise).

 

[Lump]

Do a search here for Bull's post, with a headline something like, "Bull goes ultrasonic..." for an in-depth discussion on the subject.

One suggestion: many ratchets, breaker bars, wrenches, and extensions are slightly longer than 12". Keep that in mind, or you'll constantly be kicking yourself.

Good luck!

 

[Yojinbo]

Thank you Lump,

I saw those 2 threads, one for Bull's HF and one for his Crest 19.5" model.

I think Bull gave up on ultrasonic rust removal by the end of the 2nd thread. His experience is what clued me in to the Crest brand.

 

[Lump]

I went to the Crest company's own website and read a little more on the subject. They actually recommend using a chemical like vinegar or Evaporust (for example) in their ultrasonic units for rust removal. Moreover, they suggested that you can use more than one chemical at a time, SEPARATELY, in different containers. So, if I am following that correctly, you might partially fill the Usonic tank with water or whatever, then set another container inside that water, without allowing the water to infiltrate it, and add EOR or vinegar in the second container. Thus, while some tools were degreasing in the water (or whatever), a rusty tool would be getting de-rusted in the smaller container.

Google Crest and check it out for yourself on their website. I'm not very good at explaining it.

 

[mjozefow]

Go with a mechanically timed, non-heated unit in a good brand (Crest, etc). You will get a bigger tank at a better price. eBay is the way to go IMO.

 

[Lump]

Mjozefow,
I need your advice on some of my old bench vises. I'll send a pm in a minute.

 

[wbclassics]

Pick the tank size that accomodates the biggest part you want to clean. Pick manufacturer that offers the greatest ultrasonic wattage for that tank size in a frequency that is 20-45kHz (lower frequencies clean faster and better on heavy soils, higher frequencies are better at cleaning ultra small particles or inside ultra small cavities). Multiple transducers spread across the bottom of the tank is better than one large transducer in the middle, especially for tanks that are oblong in shape.

I like the heated tanks, they don't add tremendous cost and they make the cleaning fluid more effective at breaking down the soils. Another bonus is that when you remove parts that are heated to 160-170degF, they dry very quickly, so you don't have to dry them by hand or wait forever for them to air dry.

We have a Crest and SharperTek unit in the shop cleaning carbs and other auto parts. The Crest was the first unit I bought back in 2004 when there were few good options. The SharperTek was added in 2008, and is by far the one I prefer for heavy soils because it has a greater ultrasonic wattage for the tank volume.

 

[rockchucker]

I have a cheap little unit from Harbor Freight that I use to clean Injectors with. Absolutely nothing special and I don't really have any proof of whether or not is works...lol


Here...


http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-95563.html


Good luck with the search. Let us know which model you decide to go with.

 

[Yojinbo]

Thank you all! This is exactly the kind of input I was after.

 

[DanCo]

You should PM Bull, he's got a bad *** USC. I believe he has a contact for the mfg.

 

[Bull]

Yeah, skip the heater and save some big bucks. The non-heated models actually DO get the liquid pretty warm, just through the ultrasonic action itself. I highly, and I do mean HIGHLY recommend the Crest unit that I got, and that you can see in that second thread of mine. I don't think the 12" tank will be long enough for you. Go with the long boy like I have and you will be able to do even fairly large wrenches and ratchets.

I also highly recommend the company on eBay that I got mine from. Shipping was slow due to an error, but customer service was good. I got them to include a free, and otherwise expensive, mesh basket, which is a must have.

BTW, just about everything I said above, I owe Mitch for.

 

[Davefr]

These small bench top US cleaners all use basically the same US transducers/electronics from China. The differences are primarily tank size. tank material, features and design.

You need to get into the large industrial units to escape generic Chinese electronics.

I bought the HF unit mentioned above and it's a major PASS if you can live with that size. I have 100's of hours on it and it won't die. I bought a spare and have yet to use it.

The only problem with the HF unit is multiple back to back cycles using the long heating cycles in the summer. If it get's too hot it needs to rest.

The type of US cleaning solution is more important then the brand of cleaner based on my 100's of hours of experience. I buy L&R solutions - they're the best. Buy them when MSC is having a sale.

 

[DanCo]

You should PM Bull, he's got a bad *** USC. I believe he has a contact for the mfg.

 

[Bull]

MY HF unit rocked for a little over a month, then took a dump after the warranty expired.

With my Crest unit, which is quite a bit more powerful than the HF unit, I don't really find that the cleaning solution matters all that much. I started out using a high concentration of Simple Green, and then tap water to top it off. I am now down to just one gallon jug of either Simple Green or Greased Lightning, then I use the empty jug to add the water to the unit. So only one gallon of cleaner in a three gallon tank. Parts come out squeaky squeaky clean.

I bought the HF unit mentioned above and it's a major PASS if you can live with that size. I have 100's of hours on it and it won't die. I bought a spare and have yet to use it.

The type of US cleaning solution is more important then the brand of cleaner based on my 100's of hours of experience. I buy L&R solutions - they're the best. Buy them when MSC is having a sale.

 

[Yojinbo]

T
The type of US cleaning solution is more important then the brand of cleaner based on my 100's of hours of experience. I buy L&R solutions - they're the best. Buy them when MSC is having a sale.

L&R = $50 to $100 a gallon - I may have to hijack a truck to try that stuff... MSC emailed me about free shipping this morning for orders over $250.

How many cleanings do users get from a given tank of solution?

 

[flathead74]

I have a Crest unit that I originally bought to clean airbrush parts, but I now use it all the time for a little bit of everything. Based on my experience, Crest makes a good reliable product. Mine has a heater and that certainly seems to speed up the cleaning process. I almost always use the heat even when I am running vinegar. Mine has a simple mechanical timer which is perfectly adequate. I wouldn't pay more for a digital timer, but the heater is worth considering.

 

[Davefr]

L&R = $50 to $100 a gallon - I may have to hijack a truck to try that stuff... MSC emailed me about free shipping this morning for orders over $250.

How many cleanings do users get from a given tank of solution?

My unit has a water bath in the tank but I put the parts to be cleaned in smaller jars with L&R #222 to save on solvent. The solvent based cleaner really doesn't wear out. I usually decant it to get rid of the sediment after several uses. Sometimes I filter it.

Today's the day to buy from MSC. They have overlapping promotions. 30% off $199+ and free shipping for $249+.

That could get you #222 for about $35 shipped.

You could also try making your own based on the MSDS. It's primarily Naptha (Coleman Fuel) and Stoddard Solvent (Mineral Spirits). It also has some small amounts of other ingredients that seem to make a large difference.

 

[Davefr]

MY HF unit rocked for a little over a month, then took a dump after the warranty expired.

Bull,
Are you sure it totally died. I thought mine died when I was doing back to back cleaning cycles with the heater on.

It turned out there's a small footnote in the manual that says the unit will shut off if it get's too hot. After a few minutes it will reset and work again.

You might want to try it again unless you already tossed out the unit.

 

[Bull]

Bull,
Are you sure it totally died. I thought mine died when I was doing back to back cleaning cycles with the heater on.

It turned out there's a small footnote in the manual that says the unit will shut off if it get's too hot. After a few minutes it will reset and work again.

You might want to try it again unless you already tossed out the unit.

I did one of those foil tests, and the results showed that the foil was only broken in certain places, so it would seem that the ultrasoic action had been compromised. The machine was no longer working miracles anymore, either.

Are you sure it's safe to use Naptha/mineral spirits in your unit? The instructions for my HF model specifically said not to use anything flammable.

BTW, Simple Green or Greased Lightning are about $9 or less per gallon! I am going to try the large jugs of citrus-based degreaser from the dollar store, too, to see how that works. That would be some cheap cleaning power if it works!

 

[Yojinbo]

I just put in an order from MSC for solution (got 3 kinds).

Plus, they have Simple green on sale for $33 for 2.5 gal right now - so I scored 2 jugs of that.

 

[Davefr]

Are you sure it's safe to use Naptha/mineral spirits in your unit? The instructions for my HF model specifically said not to use anything flammable.

As long as you keep an eye on it and use it in a well ventilated area it's OK. I never fill the entire tank with flammable solvents but most of my cleaning is small parts.