Comments on: Cheap-Ass Tools: Ultrasonic Cleaner

By: ds

ds — Thu, 29 May 2008 13:53:53 +0000

I’ve had good luck removing rust from small parts with a little vibratory tumbler. First it goes in with some pyramid shaped plastic bits that knock off the junk, then it goes through again with a polishing compound. The kit was about $75.

I’ve also read about putting parts in a crockpot with water and detergent. Haven’t tried that yet, but when my current batch of pork and beans is finished, I might just.

By: Ms Lily

Ms Lily — Fri, 23 May 2008 09:11:31 +0000

Dear All,
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manager.
MSN:lilyszvgt@hotmail.com

By: Stuart

Stuart — Mon, 19 May 2008 21:08:29 +0000

I have used a mix of ethanol and water to clean up dirty metallurgical samples in the past. Good quality cleaners can even work loose diamond particles that become embedded during polishing.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 19 May 2008 02:38:41 +0000

I agree with SuperJdynamite. Stainless and also knives or steel that is brittle (as to hold an edge) usually contains Chromium, which is toxic. They usually also contain many more elements that are toxic.

What a great idea to use spiral rods.

By: SuperJdynamite

SuperJdynamite — Sun, 18 May 2008 02:09:40 +0000

“Clip the positive lead to a steel plate (I’ve heard a stainless steel skillet works well)”

Don’t use stainless steel. It has the potential to release chromium into the electrolyte solution. This is bad.

When I do this I get a thin rod of hot or cold rolled steel from the metal section of a big box store. I bend it into a spiral around the side of a five gallon bucket. I think rebar will work, but then I couldn’t bend it into a spiral shape.

By: SuperJdynamite

SuperJdynamite — Sun, 18 May 2008 01:52:50 +0000

I use Simple Green and hot water in my cleaner. It works really well.

By: bob

bob — Sat, 17 May 2008 02:38:12 +0000

We have an expensive ultrasonic cleaner at work & it never gets used because it doesn’t do a very good job. These might be good at cleaning finger gunk out of jewelry, but they won’t work for much else.

By: Old Coot

Old Coot — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:06:12 +0000

Thanks…gonna try it as soon as wifey isn’t too close to the kitchen.

By: toolmonger

toolmonger — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:46:37 +0000

Old Coot - Not an exact science, but I’ll pour an ounce or two for a small sauce pan. I’ll generally reach boiling point and then turn burner to low and wait till I see that most has been removed.

The only caveat is that if you don’t clean/dry it upon removing, it may rust. But, even then, I just put it back in and it will be removed.

Generally, I’ll use an old toothbrush to remove the stuff in the nooks.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:01:22 +0000

I have one similar. Doesn’t work at all. Buzzes away but doesn’t clean anything.
Not at like a proper one.

By: eschoendorff

eschoendorff — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:27:26 +0000

I have never used the HF ultrasonic cleaner, but I have also never heard glowing remarks from anyone who did. That boiling water/vinegar idea sounds like it is definitely worth trying!

By: james b

james b — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:13:27 +0000

I’ve done electrolysis rust removal with a battery charger and some Arm & Hammer laundry soda in a plastic tub of water. Clip the positive lead to a steel plate (I’ve heard a stainless steel skillet works well) and the negative to your part. It makes an electrical field in the water so get the steel plate facing the part and fire it up, then turn the part after a while. It should bubble hydrogen gas a little bit and the rust just sheets off the part. I did some steering knuckles like this.

I’ll have to play around with boiling vinegar and water on small parts. My ultrasonic cleaner didn’t do much to clean my bolts or air-brush parts.

By: Old Coot

Old Coot — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:51:05 +0000

tooldork: Would appreciate more details, such as ratio of vinegar/water and typical amount of time for reasonably good cleaning. Thanks in advance.

By: tooldork

tooldork — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:20:58 +0000

I boil a vinegar and water solution and have been able to remove rust from nuts, bolts and even delicate and intricate door hardware with great success.