Who has an ultrasonic cleaner and which one should I buy

[aeromech]

Guys,
I'm in the mood to add a heated ultrasonic cleaner to my shop. I'm thinking it would be great on carbs. I'd love to find a good quality used one somewhere but I've been looking and one just hasn't appeared yet. I've cruised eBay and Amazon looking. Not sure what size to get but I'm thinking 3 qrt minimum up to maybe 1.5 gallon and I want a heated one I guess. So please offer up your experience and suggestions.
_________________
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[SGKent]

I've never used on as I just use a solvent tank and a glass bead machine with good quality beads and a vacuum however my boss mentioned he used one when we started restoring the bus and he wondered why I didn't have one. Knowing how perfectionist he can be, (like many of us) that implies they work well.

[notchboy]

We use them quite often in the water, fire, mold damage restoration industry. Look for linked-in forums that cater to that, craigs list or look around in San Diego as companies come and go that use them. You should be able to find one - but they aint cheap.
_________________

[aeromech]

but they aint cheap.

Yeah, I realize that. I just don't want to spend $600 but $300 is doable for a good one, possibly used. I might spend $200 for a Chinese one if I have to.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[notchboy]

Most ones I see come up for sale are much larger than what you want. Big blind cleaners or dish cleaners. You want a Jewelry store size one for sure.

A $200 Chinese one doesn't sound bad?
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[Randall]

I used this one from Harbor Freight just yesterday to clean a reusable oil filter. It removed all of the oil and debris.

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-95563.html#pr-header-back-to-top-link
Also read the Customer Reviews at the same link. Some have used it to clean small carbs.

Instruction manual -- http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/95000-95999/95563.pdf

It's 2.5 lt which equals 2.64 qt. That's almost 3 qt!
Dimensions are: 3" Depth (at maximum recommended cleaning solution depth), 5 + 1/2" Width, 9 + 3/4" Length
I don't think that sale price of $83 is going away soon; I bought it at that price several months ago. Plus, if you already subscribe to their mailing list you can get a 20% off coupon when they email you the weekly ad.

[aeromech]

Thanks for that link. I actually do buy stuff from Harbor Freight once in a while but in this case I'd like something a bit larger and maybe made of stainless steel instead of plastic. I almost pulled the trigger on one of these this morning off eBay. 2 1/2 liters, heated, $158

or this one. 3 liters, heated $185

I might bump it up a bit and increase my budget to $250 if I find one I like.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[busdaddy]

Good to know, I too have been contemplating one of those, I guess you haven't tried throwing in a crusty carb part just to see what happens yet?
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[camaroboi13]

If it helps, I've thrown lots of gun parts in my ultrasonic at work. I mainly use it for jewelry but it works wonders on all sorts of things. Just make sure to get the heat up and let em run for awhile. A steamer goes a long ways afterwards as well. Doesn't even have to be expensive, just needs the ability to spray out hot high pressure water

I've washed parts of firearms from the early 1900s and had them come out looking pretty legit afterwards, I can't imagine a carburetor would be too much hassle for a good ultrasonic.
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[aeromech]

I just took a Solex 34PICT-3 and dunked it overnight into a gallon can of Berrymans Chem-Dip. Washed it off, blew it out, and built it back up. Once installed the carb didn't run right. It bogged when advancing the throttle. I suspect that cleaning it with an ultrasonic heated cleaner should do the trick. Maybe next week I'll be able to come back here with an update.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[chaosisme]

[modok]

You can clean a carb to death also.
There is a fine line between "cleaning" and eating the metal, especially if the carburetor has lead plugs!!

Soda blasting is good for "make pretty", but IMO, there is no substitute for elbow grease. Anything that avoids getting yourself high on solvents is great IMO, but I really doubt cleaning a carb half to death will make it run any better than cleaning by hand and careful inspection, which may go hand in hand if you know what I mean.

[aeromech]

[aeromech]

Update:

I purchased one off eBay for $184 delivered. It's a heated 3 liter one with a timer. So far it's working well and heated the Berryman's from 18 C up to around 50 C in an hour. Only problem is it's too small to totally immerse the carburetor. I'll basically need to turn the parts over half way through the cleaning cycle. Here's some pics.

Recommendation: Get one bigger than 3 liters.

_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[1975 Kombi]

Well how did the ultrasonic cleaning work. Did it help the carb issue??
_________________
Brett

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75 Westy auto
03 Jetta TDI
71 SB
74 Westy
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--
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[aeromech]

I like it. As a matter of fact I'm using it right now. Simple green and hot water work great.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[Stuart Maingot]

If i can offer some opinions, from experience in the printing industry, having used these systems extensively, one of the key factors for effectiviness is directly related to the ultrasonic frequency. The best systems are dual frequency and really make a significant difference in cleaning performance. Most of the common units are single frequency and are really just jewellery cleaning systems. Names like alphasonics and sonic clean are the best systems availsble. You always get what u pay for.

[1975 Kombi]

How long for the timer. I bought a 5L and I'm doing carbs. Bought the simple green HD so what did you use for a mix and did you use distilled water.
_________________
Brett

“He’s decieving you boy! Reach into his pocket and take what he’s got.” Mr. Crabbs.

75 Westy auto
03 Jetta TDI
71 SB
74 Westy
Licensed pilot (single engine land VFR)
--
Rust In Pieces: 72 Bug, 73 Bug, 81 Rabbit LS D 2D, 83 Rabbit D 2D, 84 Jetta TD GL, 85 Jetta D, 68 Z28 RS 302, 91 Passat 16v

[aeromech]

I use about 30 % simple green to water and usually bring the water to boil on the stove before mixing it. 30-60 minutes works well
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[1975 Kombi]