Buying an ultra sonic cleaner – which cleaner for gun parts/reloading?

[jlow]

The title pretty much is my question – would love to hear of your experience. FWIW, I will be buying an UltrasonicsDirect SH120-3L. Will also be using it for a bit of reloading and so some cleaning info would also be appreciated.

 

[bugman]

I only use an ultrasonic cleaner for case prep prior to annealing. So, I cannont answer your question regarding cleaning gun parts, or every-day preping/reloading of brass

I have been using Hornady concentrate, and the results have been good. I have tried a few of the "home -brew" recipes, but was not happy with the common/main component of vinegar. IMO, the vinegar actually cleaned the brass too well and resulted in "squeaky" and uneven bullet seating, even at .001 tension. Also, the vinegar causes some type of chemical reaction, and needs to be really well rinsed-off or neutralized.

This is just my observation....your mileage may vary. Maybe tweaking the recipe would have given different results??....but I am looking for a reliable and easy solution that requires less effort on my part.

Jack

 

[Leaddog]

Jlow - I went with the 6L. It's a good machine and better than the typical gunshop offerings. Don't forget to buy some 1852 solution. Good stuff.

I will continue to use stainless cleaning with my .308 brass. Bought the sonic for my Dasher brass and cleaning 1911 parts.

 

[jlow]

Thanks guys! Charlie, I am currently thinking of the 3L since all my gun parts (slides and bolts) will fit and I did a quick estimate and the tank would hold over 300 308 cases and so more than enough for me.

In terms of the cleaning solution for the gun parts, UltrasonicDirect actually sells a gallon bottle of “Ultrasonic gun cleaning solution” which is a concentrate for $39.95 and that would will likely work best and I was thinking of buying a bottle with the cleaner but wanted to know what other’s experience was with home brew or other commercial stuff. The cleaner in question is not cheap but it apparently they tell me it is a concentrate and you use it with a 4:1 dilution factor so you get 4 gallons worth of the stuff for the price.

 

[Leaddog]

The 1852 is what I use for brass. 7:1 ratio. I haven't tried a home brew yet. Don't like the vinegar idea. I'm thinking dish detergent and Lemishine.

Let us know how you make out. 300 pieces of .308 sounds like a lot. I usually do about 30 at a time.

 

[jlow]

Charlie thanks for the head’s up on the 1852, I missed that product completely…. As mentioned above, the one I was looking at is their “Ultrasonic gun cleaning solution” which is what I was planning to use on the gun parts.

I imagine you are using the 1852 on the brass but I am wondering how that would compare against Lemishine? The Lemishine is of course a lot cheaper but just as effective? I plan to continue to use the SS media stuff on my pistol brass and perhaps switching some rifle brass over to the ultrasonic to avoid the preening which I have seen. It is not bad as the Lee Collet Neck Sizing die flattens most of it and my neck trimmer takes care of any residue but I think it is easier to just use the ultrasonic – at least that is the plan.

The 300 pieces of 308 is the max capacity which I know I would not use. I usually like to prep about 100 pieces at a time since it is a pretty laborious process….

 

[Leaddog]

Jlow- The 1852 is part citronox so that is why I think the Lemishine and dish detergent with it's cleaning components and surfactants should also work. I'll let you know when I run out of 1852 and give it a try.

 

[jlow]

Thanks Charlie, I too will share any learnings should I get a chance to get mine in and put it to use.