Firing up the Ultrasonic Cleaner

[ChazzC]

Iv'e been cleaning stuff to run to the dump , so no issues .

Taking to the dump so you have to clean? Do you mean scrap yard to get paid?

I’d dump them in a metal basket or milk crate, spray with Dawn and then use a pressure washer.

 

[Scra99tch]

There is a nice write up on someone doing a test with different containers using aluminum foil. The bare foil in the tank itself was swiss cheese when everything said and done. Plastic is the worst, glass and stainless worked better but forget if stainless beat out glass from the amount of energy it dissipates from the transducer. I'll try and find link.

 

[Scra99tch]

FYI I get mine tomorrow 30L unit and have an ample supply of Simple Green Crystal Cleaner here at work. I'll report back on the parts I've done.

 

[woodchucker]

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.

unfortunately alcohol attracts moisture, so not the best. It also destroys acrylic, so not good for things with little windows.
For your mics MS or the marvel mystery if they need to be loosened.
I would rather use a plastic bag for the MS. For items you can take apart, yea, go with simple green or dawn mixed with water and when removed, blow them off with an air hose, and spray them with WD40.. or soak them in MS. I've been using Fluid Film for about 2-3 years based on a recommendation from here. Great stuff.

 

[David2011]

There is a nice write up on someone doing a test with different containers using aluminum foil. The bare foil in the tank itself was swiss cheese when everything said and done. Plastic is the worst, glass and stainless worked better but forget if stainless beat out glass from the amount of energy it dissipates from the transducer. I'll try and find link.

Wouldn’t it be better to transfer the energy rather than dissipate it? I can see how a heavy plastic container like a laboratory grade bottle would dampen the ultrasonic vibrations but in my many uses, plastic bags work very well. In addition to small engine parts I’ve cleaned nasty lathe parts, firearm parts and all sorts of really dirty parts in plastic bags and Simple Green solution.

 

[Scra99tch]

Wouldn’t it be better to transfer the energy rather than dissipate it? I can see how a heavy plastic container like a laboratory grade bottle would dampen the ultrasonic vibrations but in my many uses, plastic bags work very well. In addition to small engine parts I’ve cleaned nasty lathe parts, firearm parts and all sorts of really dirty parts in plastic bags and Simple Green solution.

Yes I was aiming for tupperware being a the container to avoid.

 

[David2011]

Yes I was aiming for tupperware being a the container to avoid.

Tupperware sounds like an ultrasonic killer for sure!