Ultrasonic cleaning tanks?

[Isaac Tyson]

Does anyone use Ultrasonic cleaning tanks for cleaning small parts? I used one for the first time this last week and was amazed at how well it work. It was nice not to have to work at cleaning parts. I just dropped them in and came back when they were clean. It even took off rust so that the parts didn't have to be blasted to clean them. Here's a picture of the one I used... It was a little small, a larger one would be nicer. Has anyone bought one before? How much does a good one run?
Thanks,
-Tyson

[Clem Z.]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaning tanks?

i used one to clean carbs for rebuild and it did in 5 minutes what soaking did in 5 hours. it cost about $1000 back in the 70s. i sold it when i retired

[Donald T.]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaning tanks?

I have a sonicwave ultrasonic cleaner and it works great. 6.5L capacity and and heats up to 194 degrees. It has really helped with my plating. There are areas on some parts that you just can't get clean with a parts brush. Drop it in the ultrasonic cleaner and you can just watch the dirt migrate out.

[Roy B.]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaning tanks?

Sound waves ! When I know I've done the wrong thing , I hold up a little part that needs cleaning when confronting my wife.

[Rob Edwards]

Re: Ultrasonic cleaning tanks?

What sort of solvent does one use for general hardware/ferrous parts cleaning? I have a Branson ultrasonic cleaner in lab, but there's a sticker on the back saying not for use with flammable solvents.

[Wayne K.]

That's a good one Roy . *NM*

[Gary R.]

Re: That's a good one Roy .

I have used Ultrasoncies for the past 16 years in a production cleaning application. The models show are bench top models made by Branson in Danbury CT. They make a good unit but the transducers fail on these little benchtops a lot. Be careful not to run it without any liquid in it.
I have several custom built and are much larger then these units. They are configured to remove oil and filter the water which this type doesn't.

The freq is a key to the cleaning action as well as temperature. A good soap and water solution to try would be simple green heated to about 120* F. I used this in those units to clean parts out of a screw machine on a daily basis. IT worked ok but you'll end up with dirty water and drag out contamination. The water is the conductor and the sounds waves cause implosions on what ever surface is introduced into it. To see what type of action you have use a piece of aluminum foil in the tank for a minute. If you have good action it will look like pin shot hit it or be ripped apart completely.