Ultrasonic cleaners: you gotta get one!

[nhbubba]

Only what, 10x the price?

[Garandman]

91% isopropyl alcohol....

/What does this mean?

Picked one up yesterday along with their powder cleaner, going to try it on some old tools.

[ZX-12R]

This thread reminded me that I always wanted one. I snagged the 2.5L Harbor Freight one at the sale price online with an additional 20% off using a coupon code I found by searching around for a bit.

[csmutty]

Only what, 10x the price?

I'm a tool snob. I like to buy things once.

[Garandman]

Just tried the HF unit. Had a 6" adjustable wrench that was "frozen." Cycled it a couple of times and now it works like new! Second test was a pair of badly corroded pliers that would barely move - they now work and look a lot better! Using tap water and the HF powder.

[markbvt]

Okay, two comments.

1) Holy shit! I may bug you to let me swing by with some CB650 carbs later this spring...

2) How did I miss you picking up a CX500?

--mark

[Pigman]

Nice.....Post

[catamount]

1) Holy shit! I may bug you to let me swing by with some CB650 carbs later this spring...

Gladly!

2) How did I miss you picking up a CX500?

Snagged this thing back in November on a whim. Bought it from a guy in Milton. I'd always wanted one of these ugly things to mess around with, but I'm not that "inspired" yet so the project is taking forever!

[Point37]

looks like the same unit on amazon but a little more expensive...
http://www.amazon.com/Kendal-Industr...asonic+cleaner

[markbvt]

Snagged this thing back in November on a whim. Bought it from a guy in Milton. I'd always wanted one of these ugly things to mess around with, but I'm not that "inspired" yet so the project is taking forever!

For what it's worth, CX500s make really cool-looking cafe racers. For example...



--mark

[soofle616]

For what it's worth, CX500s make really cool-looking cafe racers. For example...



--mark

Probably the only time I've seen that motor and liked it.

Fiddled with a cx years ago for a now ex. Never got it finished before the relationship fell apart. Still kinda wonder what happened to the bike....

[csmutty]

My dad and his cousin found one of those for free on the side of the road once and dropped it off at the house. I sold it for $100 the next day aha.

[Kurlon]

My dad and his cousin found one of those for free on the side of the road once and dropped it off at the house. I sold it for $100 the next day aha.

I love what the CafeRacer.net guys call them: 'Guzzi with Down Syndrome...'

[catamount]

Yeah, I'm definitely going for something cafe-ish.





I'm kind of "over" the cafe look though, and thing something like this would be more comfortable:

[nhbubba]

I love that fat front tire look.

[R1]

/What does this mean?

Picked one up yesterday along with their powder cleaner, going to try it on some old tools.

For cleaning bare components, i.e. remove all rubber gasket material and plastic crap, use 91% isopropyl you can get at your local CVS. For a tank ~the size shown in the image by the op 6 of the larger containers will reach the fill point. it will remove ALL foreign contaminents in about 5-15 minutes. be sure to let the components air dry (which doesnt take long with heated alcohol) and you can re-use the dirty mix after straining it with a very fine paper filter. if you need a micron amount use google.

You will not need to run the tank at its highest heat setting or leave components submerged for long times. the heated alcohol will immediately begin to break down the contaminents.

again remove rubber components/gasket/etc... plastic is pretty durable and unless its a porous PE or already brittle material it will hold up very well.

This is also very very very useful if you have to clean electronics that are not hermetically sealed. you can always bake off extra moisture in the oven if you are concerned. be aware of some of the materials melting point before setting the oven to 500 and letting stuff sit in it for an extended period of time.

For extra cleaning ability diulte about a cap full of finger nail polish per half tank of alcohol. for concentrated acetone refer to safe handling before adding to the tank.

just a heads up for those using this cleaning method.

-Keith

[nhbubba]

Interesting tips.

The HF ultrasonic only has one heat setting: on.

[Garandman]

Anyone use anything to remove light rust? The pliers came out well but has some surface rust in hard-to-reach areas.

[Point37]

For extra cleaning ability diulte about a cap full of finger nail polish per half tank of alcohol. for concentrated acetone refer to safe handling before adding to the tank.

just to clarify...nail polish or nail polish remover?

Anyone use anything to remove light rust? The pliers came out well but has some surface rust in hard-to-reach areas.

i am going to be trying this in a few days...i was looking for a way to clean a bunch of rusted old tools...we'll see how they come out...if it doesn't work i can always use my original plan which was the wire brush on the bench grinder and a rust removal liquid (can't remember the name)...used it on the gas piping on the exterior of my house and it worked great

[nhbubba]

I have had moderately good results removing rust from chrome using Barkeepers Friend diluted in water. I have a bucket next to the workbench where I was disassembling the CB400 full of the stuff. I did not put it in the ultrasonic. I hear oxalic acid (aka Wood Bleach) works even better. But I have not found any to try.

[ZX-12R]

just to clarify...nail polish or nail polish remover?

He meant nail polish remover which is mostly acetone. I would just buy a bottle of straight acetone since a lot of nail polish removers have perfumes and coloring agents added to them.

[Point37]

He meant nail polish remover which is mostly acetone. I would just buy a bottle of straight acetone since a lot of nail polish removers have perfumes and coloring agents added to them.

that's what i figured...thanks

[Garandman]

i am going to be trying this in a few days...i was looking for a way to clean a bunch of rusted old tools...we'll see how they come out...if it doesn't work i can always use my original plan which was the wire brush on the bench grinder and a rust removal liquid (can't remember the name)...used it on the gas piping on the exterior of my house and it worked great

I usually use Coke or Pepsi. But that doesn't go into the vat, probably. It's a mild acid. I've also used Duro Extend - another mild acid.

Anyone try vinegar in a US tank? I've heard people use a half vinegar / half water solution, and then use baking soda as a neutralizer.

[ralphs]

I would strongly suggest not using flammable liquids in this (or any) ultrasonic cleaner unless in a sealed container. Especially when heated. Most cleaners are not explosion proof.
If we use any flammable solution (Isopropyl alcohol or Acetone) at work, we have to place the parts and solution into a sealed container, then place water in the cleaner. It is not necessary to cover the container, it is sufficient to cover to the same level as the solution in the container. We use glass containers with screw on lids. The ultrasonic waves will propagate through the glass.
Be careful.

[R1]

I would strongly suggest not using flammable liquids in this (or any) ultrasonic cleaner unless in a sealed container. Especially when heated. Most cleaners are not explosion proof.
If we use any flammable solution (Isopropyl alcohol or Acetone) at work, we have to place the parts and solution into a sealed container, then place water in the cleaner. It is not necessary to cover the container, it is sufficient to cover to the same level as the solution in the container. We use glass containers with screw on lids. The ultrasonic waves will propagate through the glass.
Be careful.

I have to ask, is this from experience? have you "seen" this combust? Can you tell me what tank it was and if it was of low/poor quality?

I ask because I have used this method for a very very very long time. I have seen tanks left on for days using the 91% Acetone solution and never once have I heard of any issues if the environment was controlled properly (no open flames) and the tank was not a dilaptiated piece of crap...

i am not saying your point is not valid, but to suggest that these cleaners are not designed to be hermetically sealed. they are ALL intended to be used with some type of liquid.

i have seen "questionable" setups pass fire safety checks as long as the msds for the liquids is available to the team and the equipment data sheet was also within reach.

-Keith