Ultrasonic cleaning

[deanpf]

I just started reloading and decided to use an ultrasonic cleaner for my brass and I'm really happy with how well it works and how quick it is.
I've read some comments about not needing to clean before reloading and that makes no sense to me.

 

[Dragon88]

Sweet, those look brand new. How much did it cost to get set up doing this? How long to run a batch in the ultrasonic cleaner?

 

[deanpf]

Sweet, those look brand new. How much did it cost to get set up doing this? How long to run a batch in the ultrasonic cleaner?

I got the Ultrasonic on e-bay for about $28. I then found a recipe (vinegar, water, dish-soap,baking soda, etc) on the internet: UltraSonic Case Cleaning

The US cleaner I got is small and will only do 30-40 brass at a time but I'm in no hurry. I think Harbor Freight has a 2.5 liter one for about $80.

 

[Engineer1911]

The other viewpoint

Your brass sure is pretty, but so what? Cleaning 30 pieces at a time when my Dillion loads 450+ per hour doesn't compute. Whats the drying time? Are you going to reload the brass or drink out of it?

I've been reloading since 1975. I have never cleaned a primer pocket but have removed the crimp from military brass. Loaded dirty brass for 5 years for a S&W M52 that was never tumbled but fired at an indoor range.

I now use a Midway and Harbor Freight tumblers with 10 year old ground corn cob media and the used dryer sheet to trap trash. My targets, guns, or prairie dogs can't tell the difference in brass.

 

[dennis40x]

The engineering lab at a previous employer had an ultrasonic cleaner. You know that was thirty some years ago. The capacity of the unit allowed me to clean between 150-200 38Spl cases at a time. They certainly came out clean. If memory serves me correctly the cleaning cycle was approximately thirty minutes or less. The cleaning solution was simply water and powdered detergent. The only problem was with plated cases. To long a cleaning cycle caused the plating to flake off.

 

[Forester]

Hornady has a new Ultrasonic unit:

Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Reloading :: Metallic Reloading :: Tools & Gauges :: Lock-N-Load® Sonic Cleaner™ and Accessories

I guess I'll stick with the vibratory cleaner for ease and volume.

 

[durco]

For years when I first started reloading I was on a tight budget - bought a used press, basic dies (no carbide). I had no tumbler with which to clean my brass. I reloaded hundreds of rounds that way. Worked fine.
Now, I'm not saying cleaning brass isn't a nice idea and, I do it today - usually. But, necessary? Absolutly not.

 

[deanpf]

The whole process for 30 brass may take 15min. I'm in no hurry.

I guess I figure the cleaner the brass and the better I stick to a strict loading regimen the better the consistency and accuracy of my loads will be.
I could be wrong, I've been accused of worse.

 

[Engineer1911]

Close enough?

Are you a perfectionist?

I believe that sight alignment, trigger squeeze, and breathing correctly will affect accuracy more than micrograms of carbon in a primer hole or a powder charge less accurate than 1/35000 of a pound (+/- 0.1 grain).

 

[rscalzo]

But how long to completely dry?

 

[rscalzo]

The whole process for 30 brass may take 15min. I'm in no hurry.

But how long to completely dry. I clean a few hundred a session. This method would not work. I think you would get similar results just soaking in the same solution.

 

[rscalzo]

The whole process for 30 brass may take 15min. I'm in no hurry.

But how long to completely dry. I clean a few hundred a session. This method would not work. I think you would get similar results just soaking in the same solution.

 

[eddie h]

cleaning brass is like funerals-it's for the living,,if you like bright shiny brass then do it.I have been reloading for a loong time,this is one hobby that you will never find any two reloaders do it the same way,they may shoot the same kind of gun,same brand of bullet,same brass,same powder ,,but one person will do something different than the other one and swear it is the best way,,just my $.02

 

[Jellybean]

Thanks, I've seen an ultrasonic cleaner at Harbor Freight and was wondering if it would work on brass too.

 

[deanpf]

But how long to completely dry?

Place the brass on a cookie sheet and put in oven @250 for about 10-15min and they will be dry.

 

[Oscar 14]

Hey Dean welcome to reloading. Eddie H has it right. If you like cleaning your brass, then clean it. If you don't, then don't. I don't wash my truck to make it perform better, I wash it cause I like the the way it looks when it's clean. I use a single stage press and plod along reloading my ammo slowly. I like it that way. If you like to put out several hundred rounds an hour that's ok too. Do it the way you like not the way someone else thinks it should be done. As long as you're safe, consistent, and pay attention you'll have fun, cause that's what it's really all about. I think your brass looks great.

 

[deanpf]

Hey Dean welcome to reloading. Eddie H has it right. If you like cleaning your brass, then clean it. If you don't, then don't. I don't wash my truck to make it perform better, I wash it cause I like the the way it looks when it's clean. I use a single stage press and plod along reloading my ammo slowly. I like it that way. If you like to put out several hundred rounds an hour that's ok too. Do it the way you like not the way someone else thinks it should be done. As long as you're safe, consistent, and pay attention you'll have fun, cause that's what it's really all about. I think your brass looks great.

THANKS!
I just started and am trying to learn as much as I can as I get into it. I am also using a single stage (an old orange Lyman from my son-in-law) and so far have de-primed, cleaned, and primed. I haven't even decided on a powder; so haven't loaded anything yet. Will be loading .40s&w and some 9mm eventually.

 

[deanpf]

But how long to completely dry. I clean a few hundred a session. This method would not work. I think you would get similar results just soaking in the same solution.

You obviously get to shoot a lot more than I do. The closest range to me is an hour away. I can't afford the private indoor ranges. I suppose that sloshing the brass in a bucket of the solution and then rinsing them off just might do nearly as good a job but I haven't tried that.
Like someone once said: "There's a hundred ways to skin a cat, just get it skinned." ;o)

 

[Beemer-mark]

Every few years I have to try a liquid cleaner and the results are always the same. The brass comes out beautiful but once I get done reloading the brass is heavily tarnished from my fingers' oil. This doesn't happen with my tumbled brass.

 

[oldRoger]

I have a good sized ultrasonic cleaner which is great for revolvers, ok for bottom feeders but you have to strip them down to re-lube them, so you may as well clean them disassembled.

It will clean brass but the brass needs to be stacked rim down for it to do a good job. Stacking the basket full in that manner is a major PITA.
I have done it a couple of times, but mostly I can find other ways to spend my time.