Need help with ultrasonic cleaner container

[GentleBen]

Just bought a large 2.5 quart ultrasonic cleaner, heated (a Chicago Electric from Harbor Freight) and have ordered three bottles of Birchwood Casey Brass Cleaner as advised on this site.

I have read the tacked thread on this forum, but some answers are vague, and I still have a few critical questions:

1 -- What can I use as a solution until the BC cleaner arrives?

2 -- What is the optimum time for cleaning 100-200 pieces of .223 brass? My unit allows 1.5 minutes up to 8 minutes per cycle.

3 -- My unit came with just a small plastic tray at the bottom, no container inside. So, what can I use to put my brass in so as to remove it easily after I'm done? Can I use any plastic, or glass, or metal container that fits? A mesh basket is what I am reading and hearing about, but where do you get that? Also, will any of these material block the cleaning action? Thickness of the container make a difference?

The best advisers in a case like this are usually those who've already tried something and screwed up.

Any advice of any kind would be welcome. By the way, I paid $79 for a unit that is nearly twice the size of the new Hornady ultrasonics that are now becoming popular at $99+.

Careful, Harbor Freight is an addictive "guy store."

 

[Thorbird]

Hey Gentleben, I have the same unit, and have used white cider vinegar for the solution. I have used Birchwood Casey and other cleaners, but this solution seems to work just as well. I have used the vinegar straight and have also mixed it with a solution dishwashing liquid and water. The mix I use is 50/50. I have used the little basket, but now just put the cases in without any container and find that it seems to work just as well. Some people set the cases vertically in a glass beaker, but I have found it works fine to just put whatever number of cases in that seems will fit without being to tight. Meaning I don't pack them in like sardines, but don't do just 5 cases at a time either. I get the solution hot by running the machine without cases in it for as many cycles as it takes to feel hot. I then dump in the cases, and run 3 cycles of 8 minutes. I pull out a few cases, and if they need more time, I run another cycle or 2.

I take the cases out and rinse them in cold running water in the sink, and then I drop them in a container with a mixture of lemonade coolaid mixture and water. I let them soak for a while, and then rinse them off with the cold running water again, and then let them dry on some paper towels. I have read that the coolaid mixture neutralizes the vinegar affect on the brass. I know it seems like a lot, but you can do a lot of especially smaller brass like 6br this way by cleaning and doing these other operations at the same time.

It works great for me. Although, as the water starts to turn grey in the machine, I switch it out for a clean mixture. Hope this helps a little.

 

[TonyR]

I follow Jason Baney's procedure in a large machine that will do about 120 cases in a batch. I frequently go to matches with more than 300 loaded rounds so it saves a lot of time. I use 4 inch cubic glass containers I bought at Target. Each holds about 60 284 Win cases standing neck down. These are not Pyrex containers, and Target has them in the section with cookie jars and such. They come with brushed metal lids. My machine has a heater which helps a lot with the cleaning and a 60 minute mechanical timer which is also nice. I put them neck down so the "glop" settles out of the case as it vibrates. I've tried it different ways and feel that I get less residue inside the cases that way.

 

[DHD]

I bought the Ultrasonic model that looks exactly like the Hornady off of Fleabay. I then tried the Jason Baney solution and it did work. I also purchased some of the Hornady fluid and it was much better for me. It goes along way as it is a concentrate. It did cost more, but I do not mind the extra $ as long as it works. I siphon off the clear fluid after it sets up and reuse, and wash the sludge down the drain.

YMMV, but the Hornady One Shot fluid was night and day better for me.

 

[olddog]

I purchased the Hornady ultrasonic machine after always getting out-bid on fleabay and I too use Jason Baney's CHEAP and CLEAN procedure. This works very well and gets 10 times fired brass looking almost new.
I fill the tank with water and use 1/2 pint canning jars with the cleaning solution in them. I've been cleaning brass in lots of 20 per jar (223), the tank could hold three jars easely but I've only used two at a time.
After sitting about an hour, the clear vinegar solution can be poured off and saved and the sludge rinsed out.
I am not convinced the brass needs to be this clean but the carbon inside the neck has always driven me crazy, so I guess now I'm sane again.