Got an ultra sonic cleaner

[endacoz]

I got a ultrasonic cleaner for Christmas. Was thinking of taking my lathe chucks apart and trying to clean them up in the, anyone at that with success? What cleaner did you add to the water?

What else have you used an ultra sonic cleaner for in the shop?

 

[JohnU]

I don't know anything about using for lathe parts but I have a few friends that use them with simple green diluted with water to clean their guns so idk why it wouldn't work for other metal parts.

 

[TonyL]

used one designed for dentures to clean FP nibs

 

[NJturner]

I have a smaller one from Harbor Freight that I use for a number of things - clean pen bodies after turning to remove any particles from inside them, clean dried nibs, etc. For most stuff, I just use warm water with a couple drops of Dawn dish detergent. Just be careful with the temps of the solution - it gets warmer as it runs due to the movement of the solution.

I also rebuild vintage pinball machines where I use the cleaner LOTS. Metal hardware, plastic playfield parts, balls, most anything plastic except for the decaled parts goes into it. For this type of cleaning, I use Mean Green and warm water - typically 1 part detergent and 3 parts medium warm water. You can't believe how dirty these things get - especially the older machines covered in nicotine resin (would stop anyone from smoking!). I also follow the metal parts up with a tumble in a vibrating tumbler with ground corn cobs.

I'm playing with the tumbler for matt surfaces on pen bodies - just need some more time to get back to it!

Kevin

 

[Woodchipper]

Cleaning saw blades?

 

[RGABEL]

It is also good for cleaning router bits, drill bits, etc. I got one as well.

 

[SabertoothBunny]

They use these for cleaning jewelry so if your significant other needs some cleaned that would be a good use. Not sure how the cleaner reacts with resign so just be careful with cleaning any jewelry that may have resin in it.

 

[Curly]

Warming and degassing PR resin before carefully adding MEKP hardener.

 

[NJturner]

They use these for cleaning jewelry so if your significant other needs some cleaned that would be a good use. Not sure how the cleaner reacts with resign so just be careful with cleaning any jewelry that may have resin in it.

Be super careful with tossing jewelry into the ultrasonic. If parts are cemented in (think stones to metal), the bonding material used on the jewelry might not be happy. Don't ask me - or my wife please - how I know that!

Kevin