Ultrasonic Cleaners

[reb78]

Project Binky got me thinking about ultrasonic cleaners the other day. I often have parts that would benefit from a run in one - like carbs from various machines and old cars I am working on.

At Machine Mart, they start at £450 which is out of my budget for something that I can do (albeit not as thoroughly, but sufficiently) with a little more time, brake cleaner and compressed air. Ebay have some low volume offerings (2 litre capacities) starting around £80.

I just wondered if folks on here have any at the more budget end of the spectrum (i.e. under £200) that they would recommend?

 

[zzr1200]

I bought cheapy one about a month ago from Amazon, so far impressed personally.

I wouldn't buy one below 6 or 6.5 ltr capacity, which are quite small, ideal for carburettors.
I paid about £106.00 all in.

I'm also considering buying a 30ltr version in time.

 

[dobbslc]

I've got a 10 litre one and that just about took the carbs out of a Lotus Excel split in half.

 

[Perry Owens]

I got mine from Allendale Ultrasonics years ago when there were not many about for hobby users. Mine has rotary controls not the digital ones. They have all sizes from 2L up to 27L and also supply various cleaning fluids but I don't know how good they are as I use washing up liquid in mine to clean black powder pistols.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I bought one of the smallest size, mainly due to storage space restrictions - I've found it very frustrating due to its limited capacity. Works well enough for what I want, though.

 

[jerrytug]

Got a small Allendale, just for outboard carbs etc, even they are a squeeze, but it works great and good quality but not too dear. I can reccomend the brand and they have a wide range.

 

[Robotstar5]

I've been looking for one as well so will keep an eye on the thread, I think a 15 litre size will suit my needs.

 

[Gragson]

I've been looking to upgrade from 3L, have had a fair few 10L in my amazon basket, they seem to be going up in price. Demand?
Notice the exact same pictured ones under loads of different names at quite varying prices - doubtless all made in the same giant factory in the PRC..

This is the cheapest good size one I can find between amazon and ebay at the minute, any better deals out there?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2L-3L-6L...var=472567894118&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

[Maker]

Think mine is about two litres, I'm always putting tall things in and flipping them over halfway though so I'd say get the biggest you can fit/afford.

I'm surprised there's no ultrasound "radiators" that can be dropped into any bucket to provide a bit of ultrasonic action, hole in the market anyone?

 

[jerrytug]

Think mine is about two litres, I'm always putting tall things in and flipping them over halfway though so I'd say get the biggest you can fit/afford.

I'm surprised there's no ultrasound "radiators" that can be dropped into any bucket to provide a bit of ultrasonic action, hole in the market anyone?

Good idea.. like those little electric elements to boil a hot drink in the cup.

 

[bricol]

You can get ultrasonic immersibles - but dropping them in a bucket won't do much - need to be secured properly - even if you could get one small enough to go in a bucket.

They do need sizing for the tank though - too small for the volume and you might has well keep tapping the tank with your foot. Watts per litre is the measure. I really miss having lots of kilowatts of ultrasonics to play with - used to make cleaning bits dead easy.

 

[MCKDAVID]

my collection, excellent kit, 3 litre to left, 30 to the right. cheap generic chinese honestly not to bad, although needed a little fettling to get right. I use the 3L far more than the 30, which is great if you can wait for it to heat up with the daft 100W htr. That said the volume is great for the bigger stuff. I keep some polystyrène foam above to keep the heat in so they heat up faster / maintain temperature better.

 

[Alan Reynolds]

Allendale are around the corner from me on an industrial estate. It's one of those places that seems to be in another time period. I think they are part of a much bigger group of companies but they got forgotten about, it's like Room 101.

 

[dobbslc]

Exactly! ^
I went in the enquire about some spares for my 10 litre tank and they took me upstairs to the service bay where a chap spent about 15 minutes talking to me about the best way to go with it. Place was packed full of stuff like Alladins cave!

 

[badabec]

Whatever you buy, make sure you use the basket supplied. I put a heavy lump in mine while it was running, no basket and it went pop. It was a cheapy from Amazon. Allendale were extremely helpful and supplied a new circuit board and transducer.

 

[reb78]

I've been looking to upgrade from 3L, have had a fair few 10L in my amazon basket, they seem to be going up in price. Demand?
Notice the exact same pictured ones under loads of different names at quite varying prices - doubtless all made in the same giant factory in the PRC..

This is the cheapest good size one I can find between amazon and ebay at the minute, any better deals out there?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2L-3L-6L-10L-22L-30L-Commercial-Heated-Digital-Ultrasonic-Cleaner-Tank-Safety-CE/173853792654?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&var=472567894118&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

This does look like a good price - they only have the 22L one in stock at £196ish

It seems that some here have had the cheapy china versions and they work so i wonder if this is worth a shot. I would love to buy from Allendale, but they are about double the price and once you go above 3L they are beyond what I think I can spend on them.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

You can make a simple version of them.

Get a suitable tank of the size you need.

Fill with the solution, a flow pot/tray heater underneath to warm up.

Now the brave part.
Get a ladies person massager, tape to side of the tank.
Or failing that, a cheep orbital sander, variable speed, set to low. secure the bad the tank, switch on.

They will do the job.

 

[Mr Roo]

You can make a simple version of them.

Get a suitable tank of the size you need.

Fill with the solution, a flow pot/tray heater underneath to warm up.

Now the brave part.
Get a ladies person massager, tape to side of the tank.
Or failing that, a cheep orbital sander, variable speed, set to low. secure the bad the tank, switch on.

They will do the job.

i hate to ask, but... does size matter?!

will have to ask her indoors to pop to the nearest “massage shop” and ask for the deluxe John Holmes model if so..!!

 

[reb78]

Found this 15 litre tank with a google search - this must be a con? https://www.wish.com/product/5e3eb1...6QIVCuztCh1DKwoaEAYYAiABEgKlSfD_BwE&share=web

 

[jerrytug]

You can make a simple version of them.

Get a suitable tank of the size you need.

Fill with the solution, a flow pot/tray heater underneath to warm up.

Now the brave part.
Get a ladies person massager, tape to side of the tank.
Or failing that, a cheep orbital sander, variable speed, set to low. secure the bad the tank, switch on.

They will do the job.

I am reluctant to debate a man of your experience, but I thought 'ultrasonic' means the Hz is too high to hear with the human ear? I do not think that applies to an intimate massager, but I will ask