Ultrasonic Cleaners

[KevDen2005]

Today someone told me about ultrasonic cleaners. I’m curious if anyone has ever used them, what they think of them? This is completely new to me and I just started looking at them and realized there is a wide range of options.

[DFBrews]

I use them for lots of different cleaning tasks just make sure you have the right solution in it so it doesn't eat your components

[cstone]

I use one of the Harbor Freight 2l units for small parts and pistol barrels. I use water and a little dish soap and everything cleans up pretty nicely. Not a necessity but useful for me.

[ray1970]

I’ll likely start researching ultrasonic cleaners. Need to get one for work to clean carbon from the inside of small parts. My current method involves a lot of time and manual labor. I’m hoping an ultrasonic and the right solvent will work well and will free up some of my time for more important things.

[KevDen2005]

The one my buddy has is a Hornady.

I had no idea what this product was until about three hours ago.

[MarkCO]

I have used a Hornady (middle one) just about since they came out. The trick though, is the right solvent. Petroleum based solvents blow the doors off of the water based ones. Not cheap initially, but in the long run, much less $. I use the Lucas Bore Solvent/Ultrasonic product. I have over 50 uses on the current batch and it is still working great. No need to use a water dispersion dip afterwards like when you use the water based products. I have held a torch over it with the heater at 200F and no flash...pretty amazing stuff.

One use for me is 3-4 BCGs and a pistol barrel or a complete 1911. When I am finished and the solvent has cooled, I pour it into a 1/2 gallon glass jar and let it sit for a few days to allow the solids to go to the bottom, then pour the liquid back into the reservoir until next time. Doing this, I lose an ounce or less per use and just add an ounce here and there. The shops that have changed over to using Lucas and this method have been vary pleased with the results.

[20X11]

I use the Lyman version...works great...variety of different solutions for jewelry, gun parts, brass, etc

[Great-Kazoo]

Have a 1 gal. s/steel unit and small hornady one, each has it's purpose. The hornady has an 8 min timer, lg unit either timed or continuous. If it's going to see any use, save some money so you can buy a larger one.

[DFBrews]

One thing to note is that the sound is very high pitched I actually have to have plugs in when I am around mine, but i also have pretty sensitive hearing.

[CS1983]

Much win. However, I have also had success with zippo fluid when in the Army. Especially for the star chamber. Unsure if this is ill-advised on commercial-spec stuff lacking similar metal treatments/coatings, or has a bad effect otherwise. Seems lighter fluid is recommended across the internet. Learned that from a crusty old platoon sergeant who learned it from a crusty old platoon sergeant, etc. ad infinitum.

I was always able to finish long before the guys using just CLP, which was basically just smearing around the carbon residue instead of breaking it down.