Ultrasonic cleaners

wpsnts Aug 29, 2015

  1. wpsnts

    wpsnts TrainBoard Supporter

    1,002
    817
    36
    I'm looking to buy an ultrasonic cleaner. Are the one's from Harbor Freight or Micromark decent quality or will I just get what I pay for?
    I'm open to suggestions and willing to invest in a quality unit.
     
  2. oldjohn

    oldjohn TrainBoard Member

    22
    2
    8
    Dave,

    I bought a Benson ultrasonic cleaner from Micromark in 2000, and I still use it today. For a cleaning solution I use Purple Power as it is good with grease and won't attack aluminum.
     
  3. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

    5,685
    2,780
    98
    The one I bought from MM 6 years ago is still going strong. A nice small one, easy to store when not in use
     
  4. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

    13,396
    12,182
    183
    Been a very useful tool for me over the years. Got one of the smaller versions from Micromark and it has held up very well. One of the tricks I have learned is to save a few small, narrow enough glass jars like an olive jar, that will sit in the water bath. Still have to fill the bath with water to avoid damaging the unit but it saves cleaning up. Rather than spend $$ on solvents I also use dawn dish detergent in hot tap water in the jar, a very effective degreaser. I also have used jars with my paint stripper in them to accelerate the paint stripping. Again one note of caution is that they always have to be used with a liquid in the reservoir since they do heat up when working, even when using the glass jar trick.
     
    wpsnts likes this.
  5. wpsnts

    wpsnts TrainBoard Supporter

    1,002
    817
    36
    Micro- Mark says not to use volatile solvents with their cleaner. I know very little about chemistry. Is Bestine considered to be volatile?
     
  6. wpsnts

    wpsnts TrainBoard Supporter

    1,002
    817
    36
    I like your idea's John.
     
  7. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,733
    653
    Yes. Look up "Heptane."
     
  8. wpsnts

    wpsnts TrainBoard Supporter

    1,002
    817
    36
    Thank you Boxcab.
    Would it be safe using John Moore's method?
    Should I not use Bestine with any brand of ultrasonic cleaner?
     
  9. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,733
    653
    If such a solvent use is discouraged by the manufacturer of your cleaner, I would not even try it.

    I have seen a discussion or two, here, recently, stating folks have had good luck with a grease cutting dish soap. So I would suggest folks try that. When my supply of Bestine is gone, I will be doing so.
     
  10. wpsnts

    wpsnts TrainBoard Supporter

    1,002
    817
    36
    Thanx for your input Boxcab.
     
  11. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

    13,396
    12,182
    183
    If the solvent is placed in a small jar that fits in the ultra sound bath with a tight lid there is no issue of vapors being ignited because they are sealed in. I will use alcohol in my little jars, there are several sizes and heights of olive jars that will fit right into my bath, to strip paint. I add the car to the jar, fill it with the stripper or alcohol, tighten the lid and set it in the bath, then add enough water into the bath to fill it up to the mark. No fumes or vapor, no spillage or liquid wanting the vibrate out of the jar because of the lid, and best of all no clean up of the bath. And you can always use the olives in your martinis.
     
  12. wpsnts

    wpsnts TrainBoard Supporter

    1,002
    817
    36
    John,
    Do you lay the jar in the water or stand it on end?
     
  13. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

    13,396
    12,182
    183
    I stand the jar on end just incase the lid wants to leak due to the vibration. The fact that there is glass between the bath and the object being cleaned does not damped the effects at all. I have a small bath which can accommodate a single articulated steamer or several F unit mechanisms. I can't stress enough though that no matter what you do there always needs to be liquid in the bath reservoir. The bath heats up during running and the liquid keeps the bath cool. Mine has a timer and I often cycle it through several times and that liquid will heat up. Without that liquid in the bath there is a risk of overheating and damage to the bath.
     

Share This Page