Ultrasonic Cleaner - who uses one?

[TamSV]

I've been thinking about getting an ultrasonic cleaner for carbs and various other bits and pieces.

They're not fantastically cheap so I wondered who's using one. Is it something worth having for a DIY bloke or just a bit of a fad?

[Bibio]

i would love on. thinking of making one over the winter.

[TamSV]

thinking of making one over the winter.

I wouldn't know where to start. Unless farting in the bath counts. :)

[femaleacid]

I wouldn't know where to start. Unless farting in the bath counts. :)

I think I just wee'd myself laughing!

[Bibio]

think about it the clue is in the name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultrasonic_cleaning

for a heath robinson aproach is as simple as a container with a speaker stuck to the side and a sign wave generator/amplifier. yes it's that simple. as long as you can get cavitation going in the fluid your on a winner.

[yorkie_chris]

Don't think a stereo would get it, think they use piezo crystals to get the frequency and power output.

I have one, brilliant for dive kit, ok for bike stuff. Good for carbs more than owt else.

For bike stuff I'd rather have a paraffin degreasing tank.

[flymo]

my dad is a watchmaker, he has one for cleaning watch and clock parts. Along with the occasional carb jet ;-)

[BillyC]

I think I just wee'd myself laughing!

Hopefully not in the bath!

[TamSV]

I have one, brilliant for dive kit, ok for bike stuff. Good for carbs more than owt else.

For bike stuff I'd rather have a paraffin degreasing tank.

I've got the RGV carbs apart and I always start thinking about an ultrasonic cleaner whenever I do that job. They seem to make a good job of carbs but I don't know what they'd make of other stuff like 2T powervalves and maybe barrels (if I had a machine big enough). I'd probably go for it if I thought I'd use it for more than just carbs.

Ideally, if I had a proper parts washer, an ultrasonic cleaner and a small blasting cabinet I think I'd be sorted. :)

[dyzio]

There's a few of them at work, you need stuff cleaned or want to build one?

[mpsricky]

I have a sonic bath in my place, can clean stuff up for ne1 local.

[TamSV]

There's a few of them at work, you need stuff cleaned or want to build one?

I don't want to build one. I'm just mulling over if it's worthwhile buying one.

If I can stick a carbon encrusted 2 stroke cylinder head in one and it comes out like new, then I'll have one. If it's not going to be any better than what I can do with a tub of paraffin and a stiff brush then I probably won't bother.

[mpsricky]

I don't want to build one. I'm just mulling over if it's worthwhile buying one.

If I can stick a carbon encrusted 2 stroke cylinder head in one and it comes out like new, then I'll have one. If it's not going to be any better than what I can do with a tub of paraffin and a stiff brush then I probably won't bother.

they are very gd, u can prob do a very good job to the large flatter areas with paraffin, but small indentations, curves etc the sonic is hard to beat. I use them in work for cleaning brass filters and such other items and its great especially if u use the proper cleaners in the bath.

[keith_d]

In a previous job we used them a lot. Pretty darn good for small parts.

If I was buying one I'd be looking for a stainless tank, at least 1 litre capacity, power around 50W and a built in timer. Useful extras: decent detergent, basket and lid. We never bothered with a heater, just top 'em up from the kettle if necessary.

Just my thoughts,

Keith.