[GarySTL]

Looking through the catalog that came in today's mail, I see a 2.5 liter ultrasonic cleaner for $79.99.It's described as having a heated water function, perset cycles, and 160 watts of power.

Would something like this be useful for cleaning bolts and slides without complete disassembly?

The price seems very reasonable. I know that it's not a top quality unit by any means, but for non professional use it might work out.

The other question is what solvents would be compatible? I believe that some solvents break down into poisonous products and should not be used in ultrasonic cleaners.

Your comments appreciated.

[Onmilo]

Keep the fumes down, that is a fact or use it outside.

I use M-Pro 7 Cleaner from Brownells.
You can buy this stuff in gallon jugs for reasonable prices.
It is non-toxic and non-caustic.
Requries a longer time for parts in the solution and they come out just as clean as stuff agitated in more dangerous solutions. HTH

[zxcvbob]

I keep looking at that Ultrasonic cleaner too, and I always wonder how much of that "160W" is the heater? The transducer could easily be only 10 watts, which won't do very much.

[GarySTL]

Well the IMPRESSION is that the transducer is 160W, but that may be good marketing. Their store is not that far from work, so I may stop by and take a look. Maybe the nameplate would list the heater laod seperate from the transducer load.

I guess the major question is would using an ultrasonic clean be good for cleaning slides and bolts without dissassembly.

[Onmilo]

Yes it is and a good compressor and sprayer are needed to get the gunk and the cleaner out of the assemblies once cleaned.
Head over here;
http://www.grizzly.com
type ultrasonic cleaner in the search engine.
The 1/2 gallon model comes with or without a heater and is excellent for most small part cleaning applications.
The transducer is more than adequate for gun cleaning applications.

[GarySTL]

Got the compressor, so that's not an issue. But spending $250 or more is.

Guess I'll pass.

At work the tech illustrators, back in the India ink days, had a small ultrasonic cleaner for unclogging their Rapidograph pen points. I wonder if anyone still uses them?

[zxcvbob]

I'd like one for cleaning small engine carburators, and for brass and cylinders after I've been shooting black powder. Once you have one, it's probably useful for other tasks too.

[Jim K]

The shop where I worked had one and it was just the ticket for cleaning guns without disassembly. I didn't use it much on handguns, which are usually fairly easy to clean, but on guns like Winchester 92/94/95 and Browning auto shotguns, that take an age to really disassemble and have a lot of screws to bugger up and small parts to be lost in the process.

With the ultrasonic cleaner, it's remove the wood, dunk the gun, flip the switch.

Jim

[Onmilo]

I have to tell you,,,,
If you don't like the $250.00 price tag for a good ultrasonic cleaner, and this is a small one designed for handgun and rifle/shotgun receiver only applications,,,,,
You aren't going to like the $60.00, or better, a gallon for the cleaning solution that goes along with it,,,,,,,,

"What do ya mean it's gonna cost forty bucks to replace the firing pin in my single shot shotgun! I only paid $40.00 for the whole gun!!!!!":D

[GarySTL]

Good point Onmilo. If I was going to drop $250 or more, I'd rather it be on another firearm. Guess I'll stick with the patches and Q-Tips. Sometimes the old ways are the best ways.

[Clark]

I bought an ultrasonic cleaning set up after reading this:
http://www.6mmbr.com/ultrasonic.html
I don't use it for cases, as it does not hold enough, and does not do
that much better than the vibrator. I do like it for cleaning bore
brushes to get out the Copper solvent.

[jason01s]

If you use less than 100 Watts ultrasonics per gallon it just wont work. The harbor freight unit is way underpowered. I bet you it did not work. I spoke with "Gus" at Sharpertek and he told me that the Coast Guard machines they make run at 120 to 130 watts per gallon. The 160 watts HF has are mostly for heating and not ultrasonics. Please let me know your results.

[Riss]

I thought the HF ultrasonic was actually a powder unit, not one for use with solvents. Got a nice one at work, came from a medical supply house. Bout' $800 for the unit and $60 a gallon for solvent and lubricant. .

[prickett]

I bought the HF cleaner and have used it once. Took about 15 minutes, but it did a good enough job for me to consider it money well spent. I don't intend to use it too much (maybe once or twice per year per firearm), so it fits the bill for what I'm after.

[CZguy]

I thought the HF ultrasonic was actually a powder unit, not one for use with solvents. Got a nice one at work, came from a medical supply house. Bout' $800 for the unit and $60 a gallon for solvent and lubricant. .

You are correct in that you should not use solvents in them. Just the HF ultrasonic cleaning powder, which works pretty well. I've used the thousand dollar variety at work and the are much faster, but this is all I could afford. I'm pleased with it.

[Southerncomforthemi]

Hi any more updates on the harbour freight 160 watt ultrasonic cleaner...is it heated?...thinking of buying one........or any other suggestions

[Peter M. Eick]

I recently bought a refurbished commercial unit. I was shocked what it would do cleaning with MPRO7.

I need to buy about 5 gallons of the stuff though to do it right. Even with a drain and a filter I think I will go through a lot of it the first time I clean all of my guns.

Get a heated one, and get a big one.
My only advice!

[Old Guard Dog]

I just picked up a slightly used Branson 5200 ultrasonic from a company that was liquidating some equipment. Its a 2 1/2 gal unit. I stole it for $75.00. I searched the internet and found reconditioned ones for $480.00. New they are about $800 bucks. I know they use them aboard Navy ships to clean the carbon from the oil burner nozzles. Works easier on gun powder residue!!

I was recommended the following product from Grainger. Aquatene 330- Biodegradable non-flammable alkaline cleaner for heated cleaners.. Removes oils, greases, soft carbon, corrosion, oxides, varnishes, machining and finishing residue. A five gallon pail costs $68.75, but you dilute it with 4 to 9 parts of water. That makes it pretty affordable.

Does anybody have any experience with this stuff, or similar stuff?

Also, I see Grizzly tools has a full line of heated and unheated ultrasonics.

[prickett]

Hi any more updates on the harbour freight 160 watt ultrasonic cleaner...is it heated?...thinking of buying one........or any other suggestions

I used mine on a second pistol. Again, 15 minutes or so and it came out grit free.

It is heated.

[Rinspeed]

I just picked up a slightly used Branson 5200 ultrasonic from a company that was liquidating some equipment. Its a 2 1/2 gal unit. I stole it for $75.00. I searched the internet and found reconditioned ones for $480.00. New they are about $800 bucks. I know they use them aboard Navy ships to clean the carbon from the oil burner nozzles. Works easier on gun powder residue!!



That's a great deal for a Branson as they are one of the better ones. If it's running right 10% of Dawn soap works just fine.

[Jenrick]

I've used the Harbor Freight version for a while now. Everything from diluted simple green to tap water with laundry detergent through it. Soapy hot water works the best. I just set it to run for 15-20 mins, then blow it out with the air compressor.

-Jenrick