Cheap Ultrasonic Cleaners

I had a cheap plastic one years ago that was next to useless.

My heated Allendale one works very well in contrast.

Neil

We have one at work, purchased last year from ebay. I think it has 2 litre capacity. We bought the proper carb' cleaner (also from ebay) which mixes with water and the chap who cleans the parts in it says it works very well.

It apparently can be the difference between a carb' working or not. It's used on plant hire machine service and customer repairs.

I'v not used it myself but have seen it in operation. A slight criticism would be the lid rests on the tank, metal to metal and can make a bit of a racket.

Ed.

.... not that long ago I saw an ultrasonic cleaner manufacturer's website listing glass jars and a special holder for the express purpose of using small amounts of solvent immersed in the main water bath. Of course I can't find it now

Rob

Ah, there it is!

Hi well I've had the one in the bottom of this Thread for nearly ten years and although it's not the bee's knees and I don't use it regularly, it does work and does a reasonable job of most things and I've even cleaned the inside of small bottles that stand upright above the water level in the tank, by filling the bottle up to the top. I think it has four timed settings that can be selected and it came from Maplin's at the time.

Regards Nick.

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 19/12/2020 16:54:10

I have visited Allendale's premises in Hoddesdon (just up the A10 from j25 of M25) and bought my Ultrasonic Cleaner from there.

If you are local, you are welcome to bring your parts here and run them through my Ultrasonic bath while having a cup of tea.

After Covid-19 has been eradicated of course! Feel free to contact me OFF list

MC

I picked up one of the LidL ones which works adequately given its low power.

If I ever get more ambitious I shall get something much more serious, probably £200 or so range. I've been inside a low end import one that died after a very short time. It wasn't pretty. Too much emphasis on price and not enough on performance and engineering!

Interestingly the LidL instructions says not to use it on glasses. Presumably the ultrasonic cavitation forces are large enough to risk coating separation from the glass.

Certainly the one we had in the lab had a very strict list of what could be cleaned and what power settings to use But that was very old technology, separate power supply about as big as the cleaner, and silly powerful. Allegedly able to disintegrate thin aluminium sheet. A story I never cared to test. It was loud when operating.

Clive

Mine was bought from an Ally Pally show. Its one of those plastic bodied oval jobs. I think it was originally a jewellers/watchmakers model. Made by James Brothers model Ultra 8000. It has an internal basket with instructions on how to suspend watches for bracelet cleaning.

It has served my needs well for over 8 years. Which are a variety of parts generally small. To give an idea 40% larger than 16mm narrow gauge in the garden. It even removes solder fluxes with a drop of washing up liquid added to hot not boiling water.

Digital display and up to 8 minutes cleaning cycle.

Edited By Ian B. on 19/12/2020 18:46:43

I am also thinking of buying an ultrasonic cleaner. All the ones on Amazon have bad reviews as well as good ones. I believe bad ones.

I’ve looked at Allendale recommended above. Like what I see, probably going for the six litre. More expensive but you get what you pay for.

Ditto, ditto, ditto on the cheap ones - but I don't use it much (mainly for glasses as has been noted already) and it is still working after more than 5 years.

I have an Allendale one, 2L size as I remember, and while I have used it for lawn-mower carb cleaning it is most often used with a citric acid pickle, heated, for cleaning up after silver-soldering. Does a better job of getting muck out of odd crevices than a brush, and heating seems to speed up the process. Pickle often left in for days at a time and no sign of corrosion.