Opinions on ultrasonic cleaners

Bronco

Bronco

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I was thinking about purchasing a relatively small one of these as a present. Cleaning jewelry would be its primary function. I found this while searching online, size and price seem about right:

http://www.jewelsmall.com/prdiulclcd.html

I'd appreciate it if anyone with experience in these matters could offer some advice as I have no idea what quality brands to look for or how much power is required to be effective.
 
I actually have the very same cleaner, cept I bought mine at harbor freight at a clearance sale. It works well, not as much power as an industrial or professional model but it gets the job done. One tip, if the basket is the same one I have, toss it and get/make one out of stainless steel mesh. The plastic one included with mine is too small and tends to rest on the bottom of the pan, and even if it's suspended absorbs most of the ultrasonic energy which cuts the cleaning power to less than half. If I was going to buy a new one I think I'd shoot for a Crest Ultrasonic, as they seem to be one of the better brands, and are fairly affordable.(and apparently have like 5 times the cleaning ability of these cheaper ones) One like this should be about the right size and isn't too far out of reach pricewise. http://www.amazon.com/Crest-Ultraso...3/ref=sr_1_1/103-3769293-8762241?ie=UTF8&s=hi
 
I purchased my L&R Q90 from:
http://www.julesborel.com/ They also have many others listed. Borel carries all the solutions, baskets, hangers,... needed for cleaning. Jules Borel & Co. has been in business for many years. I very much like doing business with them.
WhitleyStu
 
I hav used and have experience with several over the years.The most common problem is people start of with the cheap $100.00 and under units.Mostly they will disappoint from a performance perspective and durability.I have found the better quality units effective and worth the intial investment.Having owned several brands,the best unit I have found is the CREST Ultrasonics.If you look around you can get a 3 quart unit with heat for around $375.00 if you shop around at different sites.You may think you only need a small unit,but you may be wishing later you had a bigger dimension tank when you figure out just how useful these things are.I have cleaned gun barrels and slides in mine,and they work nicely,cutting down on alot of extra work cleaning.I have used mine for guns,jewelery,coins,metal detctor and beach finds.It works well on getting heavy encrustations of items,and sometimes does require lengthy sessions on the really bad corrosion etc.The biggest thing is,don't go with the cheapo units.If you are bent on getting a small unit you can get a reasonably priced CREST 1 quart unit also.
Yes,the heat is a worthwhile option as it does increase the cleaning effect.You have to have a freehanging parts basket that hangs from the sides.If you lay a parts basket or any items directly on the tank bottom you will damage the transducers.One last thing,there are some items you can not put in an Ultrasonic,flammable liquids are a big no-no, pearls,tanzanite,some other gems that fracture easily or are to soft.It is easy to find out on-line the do's and don'ts using the units.


By the way here is the site I found the best price from and got mine here.

http://www.dogpile.com/info.dogpl/c...dzZ7GZAWxsPelrD7t-d&yargs=www.searssupply.com
 
Since you seem to have experience in using them as such, which model crest would you recommend for cleaning a full sized pistol (like say a full length 1911, frame and all). I was thinking the 275 would be ideal, but i'd hate to get one just to find out that a larger size would have worked much better.
 
As always, I'm amazed at the wealth of knowledge that assembles here at BFC on any given day. Thanks, guys. That's exactly the kind of input I was looking for. I see a pretty decent looking Crest 3/4 gallon model out there that might warrant a closer look.

I also see that Crest now has added digital models to their previously analog lineup. It almost seems to me though that the knobs on the analog models might be easier to use.

I've heard the term "de-gassing" used in conjunction with these cleaners. Any ideas what that might refer to?

Tombstone,
On some of the units that specifically mention weapons cleaning applications, they indicate that these ultrasonic cleaners can also be filled with oils to lubricate the weapon after cleaning. Have you had any experience using your cleaner in this way? At first blush it seems like it might be a rather messy process.
 
Degassing is a sometimes added feature to ultrasonic cleaners. IMO it's not really necessary for most uses, maybe if you were doing this professionally with large multigallon cleaners. When you pour a solution or water into the tank, microscopic air bubbles build up in the water. When you start the ultrasonic up it will take a few seconds for that to be removed, and I guess for some solutions it will take longer, hence the need for an actual degassing option. Until the solution is degassed the air bubbles will prevent efficient operation, but like I said, it only takes a few seconds for it to degass in most cases.
 
Instead of making a new topic I decided to bump this one.

I recently purchased the Harbor Freight Chicago Electric Ultrasonic and received it 7-10-09. My transducer thingamajig blew up 8-22-09. It smells like burning electrical inards too
22356.jpg

22357.gif

It's been kinda hard looking for something else because mine looks just like the Sonic Wave, SharperTek, pretty much any brand 42,000hz for at home. Like a big ostrich egg. Are they the same on the inside electrically/mechanically?
I've been shopping for a while now and I'm more confused than ever.
Here are some brands I've found.
  1. Hammacher Schlemmer
  2. branson
  3. crest
  4. gemOro
  5. sharpertek
  6. prosonix
  7. sonic wave
  8. brookstone
  9. Haier

I've heard read good things about:
  1. GemOro, read some guy was cleaning bike parts in this one
  2. Branson/Bansonic 200 or 220, Any preference? Seems like the difference is the 220 has a detachable power cord.
  3. Sharper Image,
  4. and SharperTek.

Here are sites with prices:

So what you think?

UPDATE: I've been doing some more online shopping. Something I particularly like about SharperTek's CD-4800, it has a built in cooling fan. I have not found that in other makes/models so far.

Also the GEMORO has a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer. I think that is something I'd prefer after the last transducer. Here is what it looks like.
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I've been trying to find out watts on Branson, haven't seen em' so far.
 

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Anyone know what new technology I should be looking for in ultrasonics?

Is this just to confuse people?:confused:
  1. Piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer
  2. Dura-last transducers
  3. Ceramic disk lookin' one
  4. Industrial Grade Transducer
  5. Wide-Diameter Transducer
  6. Cooling fans
  7. Isolated-Circuit Design
  8. Turbo Sweep Technology and Power Sweep

Anyone know the wattage on Bransons and if the 200 without or 220 with removable power cord is better?

Should a person get higher Hz or higher w? I've seen 42,000 Hz varying from 30 to 60 w?
 
I think most of the good ones use similar transducer tech to the broken harbor freight version you saw above, just better quality. Crest as far as I know is the only company putting their new industrial class transducer design into their new line of consumer units. You do definately want some kind of sweep frequency unit, this prevents uneven cleaning inside the tank caused by standing waves. Higher frequency units tend to clean better, if you get a quality machine don't worry about the wattage too much, it will be correct for the application. Really if I had to do this over again I wouldn't bother with any of those cheap units you mentioned, get a used Crest or something instead. You can get a new crest 275 (3/4 gallon) for around 250 bucks.
 
I believe they all use a Piezo Electric Transducer, but obviously of varying quality and coupling methods.
 
65535 said:
I believe they all use a Piezo Electric Transducer, but obviously of varying quality and coupling methods.
Click to expand...

Some of them still use the disk style like in the harbor freight one I "had". So I was considering the satellite dish lookin' transducer. Yea I'm real technical can you tell?

The one that has Turbo Sweep Technology and Power Sweep was this unit by GemOro. http://www.renterprises.net/catalog/i687.html Gemoro Ultrasonic Cleaner - 2 quart stainless steel
This part kinda hooked me: "Gemoro ultrasonic cleaners have the best warranty on the market: 2.5 years on the unit and 10 years on the transducer "

Just wanted to run this past everyone incase I was getting lured by a product description.
 
I can't be 100% but I believe that is also the same transducer, just very cheap.

ratamahatta said:
Some of them still use the disk style like in the harbor freight one I "had". So I was considering the satellite dish lookin' transducer. Yea I'm real technical can you tell?

The one that has Turbo Sweep Technology and Power Sweep was this unit by GemOro. http://www.renterprises.net/catalog/i687.html Gemoro Ultrasonic Cleaner - 2 quart stainless steel
This part kinda hooked me: "Gemoro ultrasonic cleaners have the best warranty on the market: 2.5 years on the unit and 10 years on the transducer "

Just wanted to run this past everyone incase I was getting lured by a product description.
Click to expand...
 
Here is the pic they had on the page of the inside for the gemoro. Not too sure what those kind are.
attachment.php


Here is what I'm steering away from:
attachment.php


And is this kind what I should be looking for?
attachment.php


Maybe I'm all wrong on which one to go for.... I just did a google image search; How many flippin' transducers do they make! I feel like my wife sent me shopping for feminine products.
 

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65535 said:
I can't be 100% but I believe that is also the same transducer, just very cheap.
Click to expand...

thanks 65535, You are correct. From what I've been reading (till I'm blind) is that they are all those same transducers. These metal "housings" have been confusing me. They still have the disks fixed to them.:rolleyes:

Thanks Yoda for steering me toward the Crest with the new industrial class transducer design. I might as well get a new one, never know if someone let their toys lay on the bottom.
 
Just to clarify, the model I listed is the older transducer, the reason it's so cheap is because the resellers are making room for the new products. It used to be a 400 some dollar unit, and while it doesn't use their newest transducer it's still a world above those little plastic ones like I have.
 
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