Firing up the Ultrasonic Cleaner

[mmcmdl]

Seeking opinions . Looking to clean up some older tools as well as some expensive tools . Not to keen on the thought of putting mics and such in water with Dawn . I have gallons of mineral spirits but hate to have to worry about lighting the thing on fire . I know you can put things in a bag with a cleaning fluid also but it seems like a PITA . Is there a fire safe cleaning solution out there that would work on everything ? I;ve heard so many stories but no results .

 

[pontiac428]

Simple, fill the ultrasonic cleaner with water. Put parts in a glass tray, jar, or beaker with your solvent of choice into the water bath. The ultrasound will penetrate the glass container and clean your parts without making a mess.

 

[ChazzC]

Starrett uses Marvel Mystery Oil to soak old micrometers & instruments. For solvent, they use Lacolene (not the safest solvent).

If you’re going to use a glass container in the ultrasonic cleaner I recommend using laboratory Pyrex and make sure not to sit in on the bottom of the tank - put it in the basket.

 

[WobblyHand]

I've used 99% isopropyl in a lightly covered jar, in the water bath, (in the basket) at least for small parts. Don't have to worry about rust using the pure alcohol. Cleans great. Use the least amount of solvent to minimize problems. You can also put the lid on the cleaner, although that can buzz. As long as you don't heat up the bath too much, there shouldn't be much of an issue. Pyrex is better, but I've used just a glass jar from something we used in the kitchen.

 

[mmcmdl]

I just filled it up with Evaporust to see what would happen . Threw a couple of old things in . A square and a South Bend chuck plate . I'll see how it works for tonight .

 

[pontiac428]

The ultrasonic gives evaporust a good kick. The sound energy waves break on the surface of the work, which raises the thermodynamic energy of the chemical reaction taking place at the surface, in addition to providing some convection to circulate the mix. So it speeds things up similar to heating the mixture while focusing energy at the surface. Make sure you check on it, the parts might go black faster than you expect. It's a good plan; efficient.

 

[Dabbler]

yes. Use mason jars for your mineral spirits in the water bath.

 

[mmcmdl]

Pulled out a SB back plate that shocked me by the results ! If anyone needs one I'm posting it FS tonight . The chuck will be free !