Ultrasonic Cleaners

scorpnsnake

scorpnsnake

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Nov 8, 2023
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Aside from maintaining, repairing, and modifying my own knives and guns. I really enjoy rehabing and repairing folders for friends and family. It's fun getting a peak under the hood of lots of different builds. Always gratifying to make something useful again that folks are proud to carry.

Some are hilariously filthy inside.

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So I ordered a cheapie ultrasonic cleaner. 3 2L 180w cleaning/ 300w heating. Never used one before. Figure I can upgrade once I have some experience, if it turns out necessary.

What solutions do you prefer?
Will parts scratch one another if they touch?
Is it safe for ano on titanium or aluminum?
Do you clean non metallic materials in it, say micarta or G10?
Have you ever cleaned a fully assembled knife?

Any mergpds, considerations, tips, tricks, thoughts and model suggestions welcome and appreciated.
 
I wouldn't expect scratching between parts. They're marketed and used for jewelry usually, and I haven't had gold or silver scratch out in with diamonds. Not impossible though I suppose.

It's just slight, imperceptible movement doing the work. There's no friction being applied. A lot of what you're talking about takes friction/touching or the relevant chemicals. Just imagine you shaking the part in a tub of water and whatever you're putting in.

Just dish soap and water works for me. Works with whatever material.
 
kreole said:
I wouldn't expect scratching between parts. They're marketed and used for jewelry usually, and I haven't had gold or silver scratch out in with diamonds. Not impossible though I suppose.

It's just slight, imperceptible movement doing the work. There's no friction being applied. A lot of what you're talking about takes friction/touching or the relevant chemicals.

Just dish soap and water works for me. Works with whatever material.
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Roger that! I figured if it can make a carburetor look brand new, must be a fair amount of agitation going on. Guess it is just sound waves.

Have you ever tried an assembled knife? I'd like to try. and the take it apart. See if gunk gets trapped or finds a way out.
 
scorpnsnake said:
Roger that! I figured if it can make a carburetor look brand new, must be a fair amount of agitation going on. Guess it is just sound waves.

Have you ever tried an assembled knife? I'd like to try. and the take it apart. See if gunk gets trapped or finds a way out.
Click to expand...
Comparing with and without would be a good experiment! I've ran SAKs though--it's effective--but haven't tried something that could be taken down after to see what's left.
 
I ran a used SAK in Dawn and water. Thought it cleaned up well. Then I took the scales off and was shocked at what was trapped under there. Now I always take scales off before running in ultrasonic cleaner.
 
fastoldguy said:
I ran a used SAK in Dawn and water. Thought it cleaned up well. Then I took the scales off and was shocked at what was trapped under there. Now I always take scales off before running in ultrasonic cleaner.
Click to expand...

Yeah I don't expect that the internals will be clean. Bet it mostly loosens and redistributes it around. They all come apart anyway, just curious mostly. I guess if I could throw them in now and again and not let it build, that would be convenient for my own.
 
Parts will dull where they touch something-especially other metal. Use a plastic tub liner, and/or hang items from hooks. I use Simple Green/water in mine.
Do not put your hand in a running ultrasonic cleaner-it can damage your finger joints.
There are special solutions available for cleaning guns that might work better. Never use flammable liquids in an ultrasonic.
 
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