Ultra Sonic Cleaner Use

[billwill]

Need some advice on maybe picking up an Ultra Sonic cleaner for cleaning up gun parts etc.

Any of you guys use them and what is a good brand?

 

[Dennis The B]

I bought one from Harbor Freight a few years ago. It works pretty well, but I haven't used it for gun parts, only cleaning brass. I use Lyman's solution in it. I usually run it through a couple of cycles, and the brass comes out very clean.

I hear good things about using them for cleaning gun parts.

 

[Geno44]

I purchased one off Ebay. Make sure you get enough power and a heating element is nice. Last I checked this put the cost up around $200. I use water and simple green, about 15 to 1. I have dipped slides, bolts, complete handguns, magazines and small parts in mine. Not aluminum or anodized stuff. I also clean small engine carburetors in it and other small engine parts. I use compressed air to dry parts immediately after removing them from the solution. With most gun parts, I use Rem-oil spray or some lubricant to protect against rust. Be careful to inspect the process as it is going on to make sure the finish isn't being damaged. Don't set it for an hour and walk away!

 

[billwill]

Do you think the name brand ones are any better than a Harbor Freight model?

 

[Geno44]

Quality with Harbor Freight can be kind of a mixed bag. I looked at their present offerings and as usual, the description isn't great. The price is, however. Basically you need to get one big enough to hold what you are cleaning. You need to have sufficient cleaning wattage-more is better. I would think a minimum of 150 cleaning watts. Heating watts is the strength of the chemical warming which is separate. The warmer the water, the better it cleans. Harbor Freight doesn't bother to tell you if their unit heats. The better units will give wattage of both features. If you are cleaning small jewelry, a little low wattage unit which is inexpensive will do the job. I clean lawn mower carbs and sometimes several parts at the same time and if you do this, you will be disappointed in the results of a small or low powered unit. I saw some up on Ebay that were about $160 shipped and unfortunately those are probably as cheap as you are going to get one that does the job and more would be better. This is based on my use of them for about six years.
Good luck!

 

[Ben_hutcherson]

The one Harbor Freight sells is identical to one of the ones Lyman sells...just with different branding on them.

In general, I'm an L&R fan and have an ultrasonic unit from them that I use for cleaning watch parts. If you are going to spend "big bucks" on one, I'd steer you toward them. I also have a cheap Harbor freight one that I use for brass and the occasional gun part, and it works fine for what it is and was fine for what it does.

Here's what I have from Harbor Freight

Ultrasonic Cleaner - 2.5 Liter

And the one Lyman sells(again, the exact same thing)

Lyman Products Your Primary Source for Reloading Equipment

I have heard good things about the basket that comes with the Lyman unit. The one that comes with the Harbor Freight unit is sorely lacking. I've been tempted to give the Lyman basket a try for $15, since I saved $65 on the cleaner itself.

 

[tomtheturner]

I have one. From what I understand: the cavitation that does the cleaning is done by transducers. The more transducers the better the cleaning. I bought an el cheapo on Ebay that was a knock off of a much more expensive unit. I bought it for the number of transducers that it had.

I have a friend with two of the units that mine was patterned after. Mine cleans every bit as good as his. Mine only has the downfall of no spout at the bottom to clear out the cleaning fluid.

On the cheaper unit I figure that it is a disposable. If it breaks down I throw it away. No service. I'm not sure if I could replace the transducers, or not. It is a definite risk if you go cheap. So far, so good with me. I don't use it a great deal, but it is sure great for some applications.

An example of a great application: I had several 10/22 magazines that just didn't work well, or at all anymore. They can't be taken apart to clean. I cleaned them in the ultra sonic, and they all work like new again.

 

[inspcalahan]

I've got a medium to big sized L&R - worth every dollar. The initial investment hurt and I don't use it for day to day wipe down, slightly scrub and oil cleaning - it's for the messy stuff. Several guns after a long range day, the work MP5, super dirty parts while I detail out the less messy or more delicate stuff. For that, it's amazing. Only needed if you really have a mess, shoot a lot or just want something else manly for the man cave.