Ultrasonic Parts Cleaner Recommendations

[FastforaSlowGuy]

Who here uses one, what do you use, and do you like it?

[dave thompson]

I’ve had one for years. Got it from a friend that owns a jewelry store so it’s s bit small, won’t fit a 32t cog but it cleans anything that I can fit in it. Does a great job on chains.

Most any ultrasonic cleaner will be good for bike parts. Harbor Freight has a couple that will fit the bill nicely.

[kramnnim]

Mine is from ebay/amazon/china, stainless, 2l, 60w? Works fine. I use water and a splash of "purple power" degreaser from the dollar store.

[unterhausen]

I have one, I usually use soap and water. Mine has a heater, it usually works better when the water is hot.

[PSJoyce]

I picked up a used
lab grade Branson on eBay for short money. It's a no fooling around device that will last for years and years

[oldpotatoe]

Had one of these..'heater' function went away early on then it just stopped working..less than a year..stay away.

[msl819]

Resurrecting this thread... anyone have any good recommendations on a good unit? Also any insider tricks on best solutions or practices? Anything to avoid that a noob might not know?

I may try to grab one during the holiday sale season and wanted to solicit suggestions from the collective experiences.

Thanks!

[mt2u77]

I have the cheap Harbor Freight one and later picked up a lab grade Fisher Scientific model at a university surplus sale.

The Fisher included instructions for an efficacy test to remove pencil lead from frosted glass slide. The Fisher removed the lead about 4-5x faster than the Harbor Freight— no surprise.

Both will get the job done for bike parts eventually, but I recommend good old fashioned elbow grease for caked on crud followed by a mineral spirits bath for chains.

Best uses— reviving gummed up shifters. Cleaning carburetors.

Tips— put your parts and high concentration degreasers in a plastic bag or in a small glass partially submerged in the bath to save on chemical use.

[Idris Icabod]

Originally Posted by PSJoyce

I picked up a used
lab grade Branson on eBay for short money. It's a no fooling around device that will last for years and years

I have a Branson at home, same model I use at work. I've had the work one for 15+ years and it has been abused and is still perfect. If you have the opportunity, they are great.

[cmb5286]

Either of these have a heating element?

[fmradio516]

Originally Posted by cmb5286

Either of these have a heating element?

I think the Harbor freight one has a heating element, but im not 100% sure.

[Bentley]

I use this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-S...f89c463adad729

Honestly, if I was buying today I would buy either a 15L or 20L. It is big enough for everything except a crank with a spindle attached, so 10L is good, I think a bit bigger would be better.

I have tried a number of enhancers for the water, I found Simple Green works well, but some have said that it corrodes aluminum so I have settled on Dawn Detergent as the agent of choice. Also, Heater makes the cleaner work much better.

[fmradio516]

Originally Posted by Bentley

I use this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-S...f89c463adad729

Honestly, if I was buying today I would buy either a 15L or 20L. It is big enough for everything except a crank with a spindle attached, so 10L is good, I think a bit bigger would be better.

I have tried a number of enhancers for the water, I found Simple Green works well, but some have said that it corrodes aluminum so I have settled on Dawn Detergent as the agent of choice. Also, Heater makes the cleaner work much better.

So youre satisfied with the UC in general besides size? I was going to pull the trigger on the harbor freight one, but its only 2.5L.

[mulp]

I use a cheap $25-35 one from Amazon and its been treating me well for about 3 years. I haven't tried an industrial grade cleaner but even the cheap ones get the job done if left to run long enough.

[Bentley]

Originally Posted by fmradio516

So youre satisfied with the UC in general besides size? I was going to pull the trigger on the harbor freight one, but its only 2.5L.

I’ve had it for a while, it works perfect. I can put a bunch of stuff in this one, a little bigger would be great. That said, don’t put parts touching, the vibration can cause marking.