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Ultrasonic Cleaners

No8yogi
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Geo
Geo

Copied from a previous post:- "The first thing I do when I strip a watch is wash the parts in a container with lighter fuel. This gets rid of most of the oily residue before using the ultrasonic bat

HectorLooi
HectorLooi

I've been using and abusing ultrasonic cleaners for more than 30 years. I've also repaired many units for friends. I've encountered brands like Elma and L&R Quantrex, and unbranded ones like Chine

Legarm
Legarm

I made a comment on here at the outset of this debate, some 7 years ago and the same thing is being discussed, now, as was then. My particular take on the whole aspect of US, is that if it works

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jaycey WRT Addict

jaycey

Posted
Posted

Good morning Gents, 1st post here.

I am a training Horolologist from London.

I picked one of these up last week and have tried it with some warm soapy water on some bracelets. So far so good.

I have to order some ultrasonic cleaner and rinse, any recommendations?

Cousins, Gleaves or eBay are my preferred suppliers.

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Geo Distinguished Member

Geo

Posted
Posted

Welcome to the house of knowledge Jaycey. This place is full of people with a wide and diverse knowledge of Horology who are more than willing to help others.

Regarding your question on cleaning solutions, if you use the search function I'm sure you will find many articles on the subject. You will find this at the top right hand of the screen.

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Vich Distinguished Member

Vich

Posted
Posted

Hello Jaycey,

Welcome to the forum. The cleaner and rinse largely depends on what you are going to clean but I am just a hobbyist and I clean watch parts in naphtha then rinse them in 100% isapropanol. I put the parts in small lidded jars and stand them in the cleaner with only water in it and so far I have had no problems. There are loads of specialist cleaner and rinse fluids you can get but hopefully one of the other chaps or chapesses can advise. Oh well back to the decorating - nearly done thank god.

Cheers, Vic

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Vich Distinguished Member

Vich

Posted
Posted

Just finished Bob,carpet gets fitted throughout the house tomorrow and then the furniture goes back into the house. Found solace at the end of the days with Guinness, Coors Light, but mainly Abbot ale and occasionally an odd malt whisky and if I am honest last night a treb drambuie on ice.

May be cracking a bottle of Tattinger tomorrow as my daughter has returned from Venice. Whilst there Much to my delight I got a text from her partner asking permission for her hand in marriage and she accepted. Must admit that it was quite emotional thus the large Dram.

Have missed my watches but have plenty to keep me going when things settle again and have most certainly not lost interest and look forward to conversing again.

Cheers Mate,

Vic

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  • 3 months later...
tpt Watch Enthusiast

tpt

Posted
Posted

My first cleaning machine had to be a cheap affair; so I took one disused ultrasonic toothbrush, filed flat the end of a brass rod, attached with Araldite and cable ties, soldered on a bent pice of flat brass plate at the business end to transfer ultrasonic vibrations to the liquid, and hey presto... I clamp it in place above each jam jar in turn, 9 minute clean, 2 x 3 minute rinses. Although it's only been through it's paces once it seems to be effective. 

 

post-661-0-27656700-1426352244_thumb.jpg

post-661-0-06260800-1426352149_thumb.jpg

 

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bobm12 Distinguished Member

bobm12

Posted
Posted

I like the idea for a fist try! I believe the flat end also agitates? In any case, it demystifies the ultrasonics out there and open a new groove in my brain! Thanks! I'll be following to see further developments and hopefully I could contribute at some point!

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

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tpt Watch Enthusiast

tpt

Posted
Posted (edited)

Sonic toothbrushes:

20hz - 20khz

Ultrasonic baths:

20khz - 400khz

 

 

"This one goes to 11" = 31khz

 

Yes Bob, agitation is the main aim.

 

thanks fellas.

 

Tim

Edited by tpt
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tpt Watch Enthusiast

tpt

Posted
Posted

Well, no it appears, upon reading more info; it's 'sonic' not 'ultrasonic' @ 20khz. 31,000 oscillations per minute.

Thanks for the tech knowledge Roberto.

It does seem to help the cleaning though. 

What extra cleaning properties does going 'ultrasonic' bring to the job?

 

cheers

 

Tim

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tpt Watch Enthusiast

tpt

Posted
Posted

Would you mind also giving me an idea on the indicators to the right time to refresh the cleaning and rinsing solutions please?

I'm assuming I can do several washes before refreshing it?

 

thanks

 

Tim

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Mark Distinguished Member

Mark

Posted
Posted

Would you mind also giving me an idea on the indicators to the right time to refresh the cleaning and rinsing solutions please?

I'm assuming I can do several washes before refreshing it?

 

thanks

 

Tim

 

You can clean many times but it depends on what you are putting in - how dirty the items are. I don't count, you just get a feel for when the solution is no longer effective. And when the rinse is no longer effective you will notice immediately.

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clockboy Distinguished Member

clockboy

Posted
Posted

I have a counter unit next to my L&R that I took off an old printing M/C. I was told approx. 25 washes. As Mark states it depends also how dirty the movements are. I made a mistake a while ago I put some very dirty clock parts that had been sprayed with WD40 through the L&R and it ruined the cleaning solution.

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  • 2 months later...
DJT2 WRT Addict

DJT2

Posted
Posted

Hi guys, would love to pick your brains a little about ultrasonics. Is it the same as most rules in life 'you get what you pay for' or will a £69 ultrasonic be just as good as £300 machine. After all they both essentially do the same thing. When purchasing, what am I looking for in terms of power/watt etc? Does anyone recommend a particular one etc.

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