Ultrasonic Cleaners

[GriMo]

Just wondering what everyones experiences are with these.

I had the bright idea a few days ago of tumbling my .17 brass, and then proceeded to spend the next 90 minutes with a paperclip picking compacted media out of my cases. As such im wondering if the investment in the ultrasonic cleaner is worth it.

Does anyone have one? If yes how big is it, and how many cases will it take? How are you finding the results and whats the turn around time from dirty to shiny. Any special considerations as far as what detergent you are using?

[adamjp]

I've got a tiny one (600cc) that I use with water, soap and Cream of Tartar.

Definitely works quicker than tumbling.

I'm looking to buy one that is bigger and will allow me to stand cases as long as 375H&H up in the tank. Try to get one that you can stand the cases up in, it seems to make a difference (but I can't figure out why).

Also consider a heated tank, it improves the cleaning action.

[trevort]

the definitive article os on 6mmbr website, someone has posted the link before.

I swapped 100 norma 6.5 swede rounds for one from Ogre.

Yeah it works great. I bought some lab beakers off ebay and stand the cases in the cleaning solution in the beakers so I dont need to change the water in the tray.

Cant remember what the reason was but that article said dont use a heater from memory.

To do it his way isnt quick but you set it and do something else while it runs.

It even cleans primer pockets and the inside of the cases.

I dont use it all the time, some rounds just get a wipe round the neck to take the soot off as you dont need lube with a nitride coated bushing.

[ogre6br]

TrevorT did you suspend the beaker in the solution or just let is sit on the bottom

It is much more effective to suspend the beaker in the solution

I think i have a bit of perspex in the garage somewhere for just that purpose
I'll have a look and pass it on to you

Does that cleaning solution in the 6 BR article work I thought i gave you some trial packs of that stuff as well

heres the link to that article on 6mmbr and there is also further info in the blog archive which is searchable

http://www.6mmbr.com/ultrasonic.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

P

[trevort]

I just st it in but suspending it would be worth a try. I went the vinegar dishwashing detergent mix, rinse, bicarb and water, rinse, clean tap water and rinse. Very important not to leave them wet.

I punched holes in thos foam trays you gave me so any water can drain out and I zap them with a hair dryer

[ogre6br]

I have a bucket load more of those trays if anyone wants any

How do the primer pocket clean up??

Did i give you the sample stuff in little tubes or not??
if not do you want me to look for it

P

I got my unit off Egay- I just hung out at the $1 start price auctions till I got one- I used the picture in the 6Br article to get my unit that looked the same

[trevort]

yes you gave me that stuff. tried some it works.

Give me more of those trays next time I see you.

Pockets are clean and shiny.

I'll do some and post photos over the weekend

[Trev]

So whats the verdict guys

Will I get an Ultrasonic cleaner and throw out my tumbler, If the answer is yes, what ultrasonic cleaner did you guys get.

Thanks Trevor

[trevort]

I've never owned a tumbler and use the ultasonic infrequently. I dont know that one is better than the other

[adamjp]

I've been using a tiny little ultrasonic over the last couple of months.

I have been using a tumbler for the last 20 years.

I'm looking to buy an ultrasonic unit in the near future. Possibly one of the new 2l units offered on eBay. I wonder if we could get a group buy thing happening?

It does not replace the tumbler, but it is generally better for cleaning the cases, particularly the primer pockets.

[Glenn]

GriMo,

I found this on another forum somewhere, I think AHN, not sure but I kept it
use as a future reference.

Ultrasonic Case Cleaning.doc

(695.5 KiB) Downloaded 48 times

Lots of good stuff in there and well written too!

Glenn

[Trev]

Adam

Why do you say it doesnt replace the tumbler, from what I have read, the guys are using the ultrasonic only and getting superior results.

I think next pay will see an ultrasonic cleaner in my shed, Glen those cases look fantastic in that doc you posted.

[trevort]

Trev, I have at various times just wiped the case neck, rubbed them with wadding impregnated in metal polish then wiped them off, spun them in the drill holder holding a very soft scouring pad on them and used the ultrasonic.

Brass that hasn't been on the ground and is to be neck sized with a bushing without lube doesnt need to get wet.

Any brass that has to be body sized or fls or lube used for neck turning or necking down, I run it in the ultrasonic just with water as the lube is water based and its an easy way to remove the lube from inside the neck.

I thought about the carbon build up inside cases after a few firings and how that might give varying case capacity and effect accuracy and how the ultrasonic would fix this. Hmmmm, maybe I'm not a good enough shot, but I couldnt see the difference.

I wont use a tumbler as the idea of the media getting stuck in the cases puts me off.

Dont leave the case wet, they discolour and you get a green rust stuff if you do, I used to put them in the oven at 60 degrees and now zap with a hairdryer

[JasonF]

GriMo,

I found this on another forum somewhere, I think AHN, not sure but I kept it
use as a future reference.

Ultrasonic Case Cleaning.doc

Lots of good stuff in there and well written too!

Glenn

Thanks for posting the document Glenn. Shame the Jaycar cleaners are now $399 (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=YH5410" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

Does anyone used compressed air to remove stuck media from tumbled cases or dry washed ones? Seems to me a squirt from the air compresser with a fine nozzle would blast out any media or moisture.

[trevort]

people on various forums have posted about using compressed air, I can tell you it works for getting powder out of the locking lugs when a projie got left in the lands