Ultrasonic cleaners, are they worth it?

[onto1wheel]

I bought the 2.5 liter unit from harbor freight long ago (they're still <$100). It works great for smallish stuff. (Now that this topic comes up, has me thinking of going w a bigger one...)
A couple tips:

You can put your cleaning solution and parts inside a beaker or tub that's placed inside the ultrasonic tub (but you need to put water in the main tub to roughly the same height/level of course).

I typically use 100% simple green followed by some more minutes of soapy water tub followed by water only tub. Totally depends on material you are cleaning.

You can also use a taller inner beaker, thereby cleaning longer or bigger parts than your sonic tub would normally fit.

If you're not sure how well it's working, dip a piece of alum foil in while it's running; it should come out looking all mini-hammered

 

[Sharxfan]

Stay tuned, there may be some up for auction soon. Large-ish though. Y'know, drop an AK in without disassembling size.

What kind of heathen cleans an AK? I thought it was proper maintenance to run them hard throw them in some mud and put away wet so that the mud dries and protects the AK and sand was actually the recommended lube?

 

[bikeama]

DO NOT put your prescription glasses in ultrasonic cleaner unless it has new fluid.

Don't ask how I know.

 

[Ridley]

I use one for reloading. Works great for brass…getting all the burnt powder off and cleans the flash hole really well.

 

[gitter]

snagged one of the 30L ones on Amazon. 1 day shipping. Stoked to see how it’s gonna work.

 

[gixxerjeff]

I'm happy I now know someone that owns one.
I'll be over later.

 

[Sharxfan]

I'm happy I now know someone that owns one.
I'll be over later.

Just make sure you bring a sixxer of their favorite brew.

 

[gitter]

I'm happy I now know someone that owns one.
I'll be over later.

haha you know where the garage is….now I just need to figure out where I’m gonna put it

 

[gixxerjeff]

Just make sure you bring a sixxer of their favorite brew.

That's a given!

 

[ST Guy]

Great for cleaning bongs and pipes placed in a baggie full of rubbing alcohol. Or so I have been told.

Flip

That would likely work. I just use 99% isopropyl and a pipe cleaner or two. But first I fill the pipe with isopropynol and let it soak the insides. Uses less alcohol that way.

 

[gixxerjeff]

That would likely work. I just use 99% isopropyl and a pipe cleaner or two. But first I fill the pipe with isopropynol and let it soak the insides. Uses less alcohol that way.

So we're soaking our carbs in rubbing alcohol now?
Fuck Gitter....you can buy a lot of rubbing alcohol for $300!

 

[ST Guy]

Actually, rubbing alcohol is widely used for cleaning parts that make up medical devices. Usually after the parts have been cleaned using acetone. It’s standard procedure.

However, the alcohol isn’t the 70% that you can buy in drugstores. It’s 99.5% pure alcohol (isopropynol) that you can purchase from laboratory supply companies. That’s what I use since I have it.

The same can be done with carburetors. Clean first with Simple Green, then acetone, then isopropynol. Just make sure there are no parts that can be damaged by any of those chemicals.

And since isopropynol dissolves the gunk in a pipe, that’s what I also use to clean and unclog pipes.

 

[gixxerjeff]

It works wonder on two-stroke spooge too.

 

[gitter]

Well it showed up. I initially thought the 30L might have been overkill, but its nice to be able to throw a bunch of different stuff in there individually bagged and have it it all fit. Threw some different random stuff in there from the nt650 (which is currently for sale if anyone is interested in a project ). Carb bodies cleaned up nicely. Will probably throw them in again and then blow them out with the air compressor now that Its not 11:30 at night.

 

[two wheel tramp]

flash hole

what did you call me?

i have some brass. i may commandeer the roomie’s cleaner and check this out.

 

[Ridley]

what did you call me?

i have some brass. i may commandeer the roomie’s cleaner and check this out.

You will need to get some brass specific cleaning solution. You can find it at the big box hunting stores.

 

[two wheel tramp]

You will need to get some brass specific cleaning solution. You can find it at the big box hunting stores.

thanks! i appreciate the tip.

 

[NorCalAthlete]

DIY a big enough one and you can drop the whole engine in

I've used one regularly when I was in the military. We had a few in the motor pool. I can confirm they work fantastically and make things a million times easier when you're dismantling something and can just drop a bunch of stuff in a bin and walk away / go do something else and come back to practically brand-new looking parts.