Choice Of Cleaning Machines

[clockwatcher]

Hi All!

I have made the acquaintance of a young chap from my town who has started dealing in watches, watch parts and watch repair equipment, as well as jewellery. He's working from home at the moment but plans opening a small shop later in the year.

 

I came across him through the auction site whose name shall not be mentioned and contacted him, as he suggested that there was more to come by way of auction lots.

I went to meet him and among other items for disposal are two watch cleaning machines. I have been offered a choice between the two, neither of which is expensive, but I thought I might run this past you all as so many of you obviously have experience with both options. These are:

 

A Brenray three-pot machine. I don't know the model number but it's very similar to this - http://thumbs.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mKJexSEMCR-3npQsPqZzKJQ.jpg

 

A Bandelin Sonorex R83 ultrasonic machine.

 

I note that Mark uses a mechanical machine but all my requirements would probably be filled by the ultrasonic one, being only for my own hobby watch servicing needs.

 

Please let me have your thoughts and experiences - I'd value ANY input.

 

Currently my new friend has available a Bergeon Watchmakers Table virtually identical to the one in Geo's post  -  http://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/841-workbench-height-solution/     (Go to post #13 from Blacklab)

 

Thanks

John

Edited March 18, 2015 by clockwatcher

[jnash]

ive never seen the second one but the first one is perfect for your first watch machine as really you dont need anything else. 

 

Many thanks

 

Jonathan

[clockwatcher]

Thanks Jonathan! The Bandelin Sonorex is quite a professional piece of kit. It's made by a German company (plus point) that makes ultrasonic cleaners for industry, medicine, etc. This thing has an ultrasonic generator that is separate from the tank and BIGGER than the tank, which has about a 2-3 litre capacity. It's obviously older technology but was being used by a professional watchmaker.

 

The Brenray has its appeal of course. I've watched the threads detailing Micky's restoration of an L & R machine and this appeals as a project, though I understand that the Brenray is in working condition. I does need some cosmetic TLC though! :nurse: There's a nice before and after of a similar machine here  -  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.367713463362391.1073741850.280307745436297&type=3

 

I'll give the members a bit longer to catch up with my post but I may well come down on the side of the Brenray.

[bobm12]

I think that's Lee's machine in the link you provide, clockwatcher. He did a great job restoring it! You can see his blog in our pages in the blogs section!

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[Geo]

There's a nice before and after of a similar machine here  -  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.367713463362391.1073741850.280307745436297&type=3

 

I'll give the members a bit longer to catch up with my post but I may well come down on the side of the Brenray.

That's the one refurbished by Lee on the forum!

You'll find it in this thread :- http://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/707-ultrasonic-vs-watch-cleaning-machine/

[clockwatcher]

Small world ain't it!

 

I hadn't read that thread but was mighty impressed with Lee's resto job, which I found, as you see, on Facebook. Before you ask, no, I didn't go looking on Facebook for watch cleaning machines. I searched images on Google and found the pics that Lee posted on FB.

[clockwatcher]

Chaps, I have to admit that my mind is going! A few days ago I succeeded in uploading several images. Now that I want to upload some more I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW I DID IT! :pulling-hair-out:

Give me a clue someone. If I hit the image button above where I'm typing now I get offered a box to insert a URL but not a Browse option. I obviously figured it out once but TWICE is beyond me!!

 

HEEEEEELP!

[Geo]

At the bottom right hand side of the reply box you'll see the More Reply Options, and it will open up another window that has the facility you want at the bottom left hand side. :)

[clockwatcher]

Thanks Geo!

Right here goes. This is my new watch cleaning machine! Ta-da!

 

 

As you can see, it needs a wash and brush up but when I plugged it in the motor spun happily and the rheostatic control functioned fine. I don't know yet if the heater works but all bodes well.

 

There are six jars to go with it and three complete basket sets and a spare deep basket.

 

The jars look a bit murky in the pics but a swoosh with meths has shifted all that. Next job will be the base and trays - same meths treatment should do the trick.

 

Suffice it to say that I'm chuffed. :D There is the ultrasonic cleaner still available of course, if anyone wants it. I can put you in touch with 'fullywound'.

[bobm12]

Nice machine clockwatcher, now that's a good professional kit! Congratulations!

[clockwatcher]

Thanks Bob! I couldn't refuse at the price.

 

I set about cleaning the Brenray up last night and went to bed reeking of methylated spirit. The brown gunge in the jars and tray of the machine responded to the meths, a scraping with an old chopstick and half a roll of kitchen paper and most of the base cleaned up well. There's still a general brownish hue to the enamelled parts of the machine but I think that's there in perpetuity.

 

The three large jars (only two pictured) have stainless strips in them, I imagine they contribute to the agitation/turbulence in the liquids. The third is half full of something that burns well - I dipped a tiny bit of kitchen roll into it and set it alight. It burned like a lamp! :crazysmile: Hard to say what it might be but I'll keep it outside for the time being.

I wonder whether the bearings in the motor require any lubrication. Does anyone have any info?

 

Anyway, some more pics of the clean(er) machine.

Edited March 20, 2015 by clockwatcher

[clockwatcher]

Sorry, the order of the images isn't quite right - pretend that you can't see the last one.