Which one do you own? Do you like it? I would like your feedback before I purchase one. I looked at the ones at Harbor Freight. Are they to small?
(Topic ID: 96728)
Sharpsville, PA
Quoted from mot:I got the cute little $25 guy from Amazon. I like it, but I know it's not up to your standards!
I have standards? 
Quoted from Soapman:I got the 2.5 L one and it works great. It cleans most items.
price and or pics would help.
The 2.5l one from HF works well - http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-95563.html
When I purchased it, it was on sale for $69 and I had a 20% off coupon any one item so it was just under $50.
Quoted from Skypilot:do you fit a wire harness in it?
I have not, sorry! You could do some harnesses but they would need to be shorter ones. If it helps the "tub" is approximately 9.75" x 5.75" x 2.75". The 2.75" is the depth.
One of the drawbacks to this model is there is no ON/OFF switch. You have to unplug it every time.
Quoted from meSz:I have not, sorry! You could do some harnesses but they would need to be shorter ones. If it helps the "tub" is approximately 9.75" x 5.75" x 2.75". The 2.75" is the depth.
One of the drawbacks to this model is there is no ON/OFF switch. You have to unplug it every time.
You could install a switch on the cord easily with one from Home Depot or Lowes. Or simply plug into a powerstrip with an on and off switch.
Ultrasonic's not an area where you want to skimp.
A good one will do an incredible job.
A midranged one will do an OK job
A cheap one.. is a cheap one 
Get the parts good and clean, and they will tumble to a nice shine much more quickly than if they are dirty. The media will last longer.
I'm hoping to upgrade to something a little larger soon - like this:
Quoted from Skypilot:I'd as McCune
LOL, I don't have one and don't plan on getting one. I have a industrial two tub sink with a drain board. Lots of scrubbing by hand but that is ok .
Quoted from johnwartjr:Ultrasonic's not an area where you want to skimp.
A good one will do an incredible job.
A midranged one will do an OK job
A cheap one.. is a cheap one
Get the parts good and clean, and they will tumble to a nice shine much more quickly than if they are dirty. The media will last longer.
I'm hoping to upgrade to something a little larger soon - like this:
amazon.com link »
That is a price I can handle!
I have this one. Two minutes into it and I was kicking myself for not getting one sooner. It gets all the little nooks and crannies clean in seconds. I got this one.
amazon.com link »
I really like the one John pointed out. You could put much bigger stuff in that one.
agree with CF. Bigger is better when it comes to ultrasonicators. That thing looks like a great price for the size. Would love to hear some reviews.
Quoted from Erik:dumb krestun, but these just provide cleaning, no polishing effect, correct?
Correct but they clean up super nice unless the metal is really gunk'ed up.
Quoted from Skypilot:Holy snikeys centerflank !
I have a smaller one which is great for small stuff and even some wire forms you can just dip part of it into and move around but that big dog would be freakin awesome! Im buying one similar to that before this winter as I have a few machines Im scheduled to do for people.
Melbourne
I have had a reasonably good result from ultrasonic but find it needs an additive-I use vinegar. Interested to know whether anyone else inserts an additive.
My farther in law was a watch maker and he used to make cleaner from water, ammonia and liquid dawn.
Quoted from Whysnow:what ratio?
Not telling YOU of all people.
just kiddin, it has mix ratios on it, I always add a little extra....
Obviously a 30L unit is going to eat up a ton of solution.
my method is LA Totaly Awesome Orange 25%, Water 75%, and some dawn dish soap to make it 110% kick ass.
I have used the small ultrasonic cleaner from Harbor Freight ($35 on sale) for a couple games now. With a 50/50 water/krud kutter I have yet to find a part that doesn't come out amazingly clean. I've thrown entire flipper mechs in there, and frankly there aren't many parts on a game that don't fit (the rest are wireframes and ball guides that don't fit in larger cleaners either).
Thks Centreflank much appreciated. I wasn't sure whether available in Australia but ok I will pick up the satchels:
I've been using the cheap HF one many times too... Works fine for me. (generally use Simple Green & water)
Still need to do mild scrubbing afterward, to get the loosened crud off. (but way better than cleaning alone)
Only word of caution... never plug it in and run the heating without liquid. (I cooked the heater element.)
Quoted from meSz:The 2.5l one from HF works well - http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-95563.html
When I purchased it, it was on sale for $69 and I had a 20% off coupon any one item so it was just under $50.
I got this one too. First thing I did was use my professional motorcycle mechanic grade silicone and sealed the tub and housing mating seal. Reviews said that the moisture would leach past and kill the electronics.
So far it cleaned my van's EGR valve and a nasty carburetor and jets. I think it is worth the sale price of fifty bucks.
Quoted from Skypilot:I know little about these. How often do you change the liquid?
after it is really dirty (or sits for a long time). You will get an idea for when is stops cleaning as well.
After using now for 26 years, many cleaners, polishes, and parts can contaminate a tank, or cause different parts to discolor. I highly recommend glass jars/corning, to hold small parts for cleaning, separate cleaning solutions based on parts and needs. That way, a tank with water can clean several different separate types.
Keeping pieces off the bottom prevent burn, and clean better.
Small particles of metal, or other, can scratch polished surfaces, so depending on the work, changing solution when needed is important.
I benefit from a commercial Steam cleaner, although not necc.
like this:
This removes any last dirt or cleaner, especially after polishing/buffing.
Today, I finish off the metal playfield parts that may be prone to oxidation, and seal with this self leveling evaporating product:
http://www.everbritecoatings.com/?gclid=CKL7x_i3uL8CFbRj7AoduCkAPQ
An amazing, foolproof product one should really look into....
I've got the little one from Harbor Freight. It's OK. It sits on the counter and purrs like a baby kitten and does stuff. I don't see a huge advantage to using it versus warm soapy water and a brush, so I would not recommend it.
I'm tempted to buy one of the big cleaners, but I wish I knew someone with one so I could see how well they actually work first. I think if I was going to drop $250 on a cleaner, I would buy a big tumbler first.
Quoted from radium:I've got the little one from Harbor Freight. It's OK. It sits on the counter and purrs like a baby kitten and does stuff. I don't see a huge advantage to using it versus warm soapy water and a brush, so I would not recommend it.
I'm tempted to buy one of the big cleaners, but I wish I knew someone with one so I could see how well they actually work first. I think if I was going to drop $250 on a cleaner, I would buy a big tumbler first.
Interesting... I'm the exact opposite. My Lyman vibrate/tumbler is worthless; compared to my cheap HF Ultrasonic.
Quoted from centerflank:This is my next Ultra purchase
Now we now how TB is gonna get you clean before a porn shoot CF! Hey, you gotta get all those nooks and crannies. New Porn name...ULTRA-FLANK! 
On a more serious note 
...My wife has a small cheap ultrasonic jewelry clean I bought her that really works pretty well. My trick is to boil hot water and use that in there. The hot water really helps to get the dirt off.
Once in a while, I turn on the espresso machine, heat it up and use the steam wand to clean her diamonds. After seeing them professionally clean her diamonds like that a the store, the espresso machine idea hit me! 
Between the ultrasonic and the steam wand, her diamonds look like new!
A word of caution...you cannot clean sterling silver in an ultrasonic machine. Why, IDK. They cleaned my wife's Pandora bracelet at Pandora after buying her a few more charms. It was beautiful when she got it back. I said, geesh, I'm gonna use the ultrasonic on this too. The lady gasped and said, no, no, no. Never clean sterling silver in an ultrasonic. I then asked how they cleaned it and she said a tumbler. I asked what kind of media they used and she said, and I quote..."A small sized something or other." while making hand motions. LOL I said ok, I'll research it.
I have a HF 5lb tumbler I bought months ago, but have yet to open it. So I can't comment on that.
Happy cleaning! 
Quoted from McCune:LOL, I don't have one and don't plan on getting one. I have a industrial two tub sink with a drain board. Lots of scrubbing by hand but that is ok .
Buy a good one, Jim and you'll wonder why you didn't get one sooner. It works best on coils and harnesses.
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