Ultrasonic Cleaning?

afishhunter

afishhunter

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OK, I've had zero luck cleaning a newly acquired (BTI) Old Timer 858OTB Stockman using the "Traditional" "Tried and True" soapy water, worn-out toothbrush and working the blades while submerged and while rinsing.

I know (or at least think I know) there is crud in the joints, since a shot of RemOil lowers the pull until it is worn away or evaporates, or whatever the heck RemOil does.

I can get a (new) sonic cleaner for around $30.
Any reason not to use a sonic cleaner to clean a knife?

Covers are "Saw Cut" Bone. (Most likely bovine bone) Liners are brass. Bolsters are nickel silver/white brass.
I'm not sure if the pins are brass or nickel silver. Blades are 9CR18MoV, (or whatever the heck the Chinese "equivalent" (note quotes) of 440C is.)

Also, my (BTI) Uncle Henry 885UH is a bit stiff to open on two of the blades. Covers are "Stagalon", blades are the Chinese "equivalent" of 440A (7CR15MoV?) Bolsters are again nickel silver and the liners are brass.

The description says I can use the sonic cleaner to clean 4 of my 6 eyes (bifocals), so it will be used for more than cleaning knives … if knives can be cleaned in it, anyway.

Thank you in advance. :)
 
I use one for deep cleaning knives, but I disassemble them first, and I haven’t tried it on natural materials. Your mileage may vary.

Have you tried compressed air or water to get the crud out?
 
I use simple green in mine. Cleans great. Work the blades open and closed a lot after being submerged. You’ll see the crude working out. Then I’d rinse with water then dry and oil. Compressed air is useful too
 
It comes in a can! Another vote for Simple Green Soap! Get a spray bottle of it and squirt the bejesus outta if. Let soak, work those blades and then hot water rinse and can if air!
 
Looking forward to see what you come up with.

I've wanted an ultrasonic cleaner for some time. Mostly for gun parts and brass, but could be good for a couple of knives. Though I'd question the "ultra" part of the "sonic" in a $30 machine. I have looked at those online, but would set my own minimum at 6L with a heating function. It's my understanding that some solvents work better when warm.
 
Glad I asked. It looks like I can use that $30 for some simple green, a can of compressed air, and a couple reproduction tin signs or a wall tapestry or stick-on wall mural to decorate my new to me solo room at the assisted living place, instead. :)
 
Last edited:
bflying said:
Looking forward to see what you come up with.

I've wanted an ultrasonic cleaner for some time. Mostly for gun parts and brass, but could be good for a couple of knives. Though I'd question the "ultra" part of the "sonic" in a $30 machine. I have looked at those online, but would set my own minimum at 6L with a heating function. It's my understanding that some solvents work better when warm.
Click to expand...

Most solvents are more effective when heated, but this can be very dangerous when the solvent evaporates quickly and/or is flammable. Flammable solvents in an ultrasonic are also not safe, and especially not safe indoors.
In the lab, I typically use N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). It is less effective that acetone at room temperature, but is super effective at 60-80C and doesn't evaporate. (This is a common ingredient in paint stripper). A warm NMP bath is typically more effective than room temperature solvent in an ultrasonic.

The $30 Jewelry cleaners are very gentle, and not nearly as effective as a proper ultrasonic. I've used a $500 1/2 gallon Branson ultrasonic for about 30 years. IIRC the price increases geometrically with size though.
 
I have a little 60w Kendal ultrasonic cleaner and so long as you're dealing with a material that's okay with getting wet then it's a fantastic cleaning method. The one I have has mixed Amazon reviews because it's powerful enough that it can damage jewelry, but folks who buy them for cleaning gun parts love it. I use it for cleaning small metal parts after running them through electrolysis. Unfortunately it looks like that model isn't available anymore, though. Even though it doesn't have a heating element, the water would get quite toasty thanks to the ultrasonic action alone.
 
I have always used Ottosonic from Otto Frei. It is formalized to be easy on jewelry yet do a good job at cleaning buffing compounds from small areas.
 
Ultrasonics work quite a bit better with heat. For one it helps de-gas the solution so the entrained gases don't absorb any of the cavitation energy (this de-gassing is only necessary with fresh solution or water) but also the heat helps dissolve things like grease and crud better too. You are never supposed to use flammable solvents in an ultrasonic cleaner either. I use straight Simple Green most of the time in mine, works great. Don't leave aluminum or brass in SG too long though or they will discolor.
 
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