Ultrasonic Cleaners

[chutem]

Okay folks, school me on ultrasonic cleaners. Looking for personal use, mostly gun parts, suppressor baffles, and maybe some brass. In researching the topic, the offerings are mind warping. Prices from $200 into the thousands. How much of a machine do I need?
I've read lots of reviews and some topics here, but just get more undecided the more I read. I'm thinking $200-400 range.
Do I need jets, How many watts is good, how long of cycle times do I want...? Industrial strength or would one of the standard Hornady, Lyman, RCBS versions suffice for an acceptable use life?
Thanks in advance for any info I can gain!

 

[LVLAaron]

Hornady, Lyman, RCBS versions

Anything in the 100 dollar range is going to be basically the same machine. I use mine all the time. It's great for cleaning all kinds of things. The small ones will not remove carbon from brass. If you want one, I'd spend 25-40 bucks on amazon and get a cheap one.

 

[Paul Hilgedick]

I use the small Hornady one to clean brass. I usually put 50 pieces in at a time and let it run 15 to 20 minutes.

Paul H

 

[Stugots]

I grabbed mine from Harbor Freight with a 25% off coupon.

Ultrasonic Cleaner

 

[gunnermhr]

Find a used Branson, I got a 1210 on ebay, it's provided years of great service. I think its about the perfect size for muzzle brakes, brass, small parts, jewelry etc. No need for heat, jets, or anything fancy. 50/50 water/white vinegar cleans the worst of the worst carbon, be it in a brake or brass. Just be sure to neutralize the brass with water and baking soda immediately after removing it from the vinegar solution.

 

[chutem]

Leaning toward the Harbor Frieght 6L right now, for my needs and to get started, do some experimenting...
The Branson looks nice, maybe if my needs grow, that'll be a next step...
Thanks all, so far!

 

[Dave M.]

Anyone ever use an ultrasonic cleaner to get the small hard carbon off the bolt? Seems like you could disassemble the bolt and just drop the parts in the cleaner for an hour or two.
Just curious. I don’t own one and have never used one to clean brass to the bare metal because I do very minimal cleaning on my brass (inside neck quick clean with stuff nylon brush two passes, and remove carbon from the outside of the necks every two firings).

 

[Gina1]

I use mine to clean my brass. It does a great job cleaning the primer pockets
Check out Amazon.com for some good buys.

 

[varget204]

Got a lyman about 75 clams,does a Great Job

 

[Average joe]

Get one with a drain valve.

 

[dhagerty40]

Anyone ever use an ultrasonic cleaner to get the small hard carbon off the bolt? Seems like you could disassemble the bolt and just drop the parts in the cleaner for an hour or two.
Just curious. I don’t own one and have never used one to clean brass to the bare metal because I do very minimal cleaning on my brass (inside neck quick clean with stuff nylon brush two passes, and remove carbon from the outside of the necks every two firings).

Ultrasonic cleaners clean in a matter of minutes. it should clean the carbon fairly quickly.

as for brass, it does a good job. The brass in the Pic is extreme though as I neck turned this brass 20 years ago for him and He has never cleaned a Case in his life (he is 81). The brass on left is what i started with. on the right is after 6 minutes in a heated Ultrasonic cleaner and then tumbled 8 hours in walnut shell media.

 

[dhagerty40]

Leaning toward the Harbor Frieght 6L right now, for my needs and to get started, do some experimenting...
The Branson looks nice, maybe if my needs grow, that'll be a next step...
Thanks all, so far!

The Harbor freight would be a good start. what is nice on that one, you can turn the heat off. Just make sure it is big enough to hold your parts!

 

[Enosiophobia]

DO NOT waste your money on the HF units. I had 2 of them. They don't do the job required. I bought one similar to this a couple years ago on Slamazon....



I think mine is a little bigger but same manufacturer. I think $250-300 range. Heat is the key. Mine goes up to 70°C which is more than enough. I'll run decapped brass for 30 minutes at 65°C with a good dose of Simple Green and a couple dashes of Lemi-Shine. Use little to no heat, and the process is much less effective.

Brass comes out clean and primer pockets are almost spotless. More than clean enough for my needs. They get tossed in my wife's old air fryer / oven for 40 minutes at 250°F and then into the tumbler with Hazelnut shells and Synthetic car wax. Been using this process for some time and works well.

I also run sized brass in it for 10-15 minutes at about 50°C to remove sizing lube.



(Word of caution. I just replaced the ball valve in the drain. I believe the Lemi Shine "ate" the metal on the ball valve. Highly doubt it was the Simple Green. I'm fine replacing the valve every 24-30 months)

 

[chutem]

Eyeballing one of these too. Sold and serviced out of Lincoln, NE with a 3 yr warranty. China, yes, but at least it'll be good for 3 yrs anyway...

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have a very large branson and the harbor freight model that everybody puts their logo on like hornady or whoever else. The branson is so much better its not even close, but i use the little harbor freight one most since the branson takes many hours to heat and uses about 5gal of solution.

 

[ronsatspokane]

Check Ebay. 125 bucks for a 6 liter. 195 for a 15 liter.