Solvent-H no more... what now????

[jguitron]

Hello everyone,

 

After several more lessons I've come to appreciate the utility of Solvent-H in the cleaning process. Since I don't know if this is universal, here it goes: we use it to clean individual parts after they've been put through precleaning and then the actual full cycle in the machine. If overoiled or dirtied for some reason while assembling we can dunk that part or jewel into Sol. H and it's back as clean as before. I figure it's similar to one-dip by Bergeon to clean hairsprings?

 

Anyway, apparently solvent-H is no longer produced. It's main use was the cleaning of printer equipment as in newspapers and books.

 

Even if it was still available, it could only be bought by the gallon and once opened it had to be used in short order, so for low-volumen individuals this was not cost effective.

 

Is there anything else similar out there? Would one-dip do the job? Is naptha or lighter fluid usable for the above?

 

Thank you much for taking the time.

 

Cheers!

 

 

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[wls1971]

Never heard of it who made it, it should have a safety data sheet available if a comercial product that would tell you the main ingreidients and allow you to search for a similar product,

Why does it have to be used quickley ?

[jguitron]

Never heard of it who made it, it should have a safety data sheet available if a comercial product that would tell you the main ingreidients and allow you to search for a similar product,
Why does it have to be used quickley ?

It's a rather mysterious solvent that my school uses regularly. The master watchmaker seems to have found an alternative but I'll have to get that info in detail before I can post it.

It appears to degrade once the container is opened.

So, what are you and in general people doing when once the parts are clean and you're reassembling when suddenly you smear a piece or overoil a jewel... how are you cleaning it?

Cheers!




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[matabog]

For cleaning a smeared piece or an overoiled jewel I use IPA (isopropyl alcohol)

[dadistic]

I use One-Dip, the Trichloroethylene version. In fact, I bought some lab grade stuff since it was cheaper than the branded.  Not something you want to snort, though. Those fumes are nasty!

[matabog]

Do you mean Trichloroethylene version vs tetrachloroethylene version?

[dadistic]

Yes,  I think the tetrachloroethylene is the Bergeon version. It's the same as perc, the dry cleaning fluid, and thanks to @FedericoI bought some sold by CRC as brakleen, got a gallon pretty cheap. Now I just need some old Bergeon bottles and I could make a fortune!

[wls1971]

Solvent H is made by ottobock and is a N-Heptane solvent it shouldnt break down over time it will however evaporate quickley producing a heavier than air vapour that is highley volatile and at the correct air vapour mixture highly explosive, N-Heptane should be available from any scientific lab supplier like Fisher, Ottobock sell their Solvent-H  in 0.25 litre bottles.

I wouldnt use it in a home enviroment it would require use under antic static conditions.

[jguitron]

Solvent H is made by ottobock and is a N-Heptane solvent it shouldnt break down over time it will however evaporate quickley producing a heavier than air vapour that is highley volatile and at the correct air vapour mixture highly explosive, N-Heptane should be available from any scientific lab supplier like Fisher, Ottobock sell their Solvent-H  in 0.25 litre bottles.
I wouldnt use it in a home enviroment it would require use under antic static conditions.

Impressive! Very interesting info.

Sounds like one-dip will be the best choice.

Super interesting input. Thanks to all!




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[vinn3]

isoprope and  tet.  is the good stuff.   substitutes, via the clean earth people, are a poor excuse for cleaning. 

[StuartBaker104]

Renata essence will do the same job as one dip and is much cheaper. In my experience it's really good for cleaning off that excessive oil!