Chicago Ultrasonic cleaner... anyone?

**thefirstndsecond** · December 20th, 2011, 09:57 PM

Does anyone have experience with these?

I know sometimes you get what you pay-fore, but I figured I would ask the almighty OZ...

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...FQjd4AodV3fkmg

I was thinking of purchasing one of these and using the Hornady cleaning solution.

**ham385** · December 20th, 2011, 10:10 PM

I'm curious as well. One of the reviewers said he uses it for brass and gun parts. Someone else said they use it for small carburetors.
My only concern with it would be whether it has a strong enough motor to fill it with brass without overloading it, or if you'd be limited to smaller batches.

**Xringshooter** · December 21st, 2011, 12:51 PM

I have an older model of the 2.5L model and have had no problems with it. I use it to clean/degrease gun parts. I've had it for about 4 years now and have had no problems. Mine doesn't have a digital timer (it's mechanical buts works fine).

An ultrasonic cleaner is a cleaning device that uses ultrasound and an appropriate cleaning solvent to do the cleaning. It doesn't vibrate the same as a case cleaner so you don't really have to worry about how much you put in the tank as long as you have sufficient solvent to cover what you are cleaning.

**DucatiRon** · December 21st, 2011, 02:39 PM

I bought the Hornady ultrasonic cleaner for cleaning brass. Total waste of money in my opinion. I have tried at least a dozen recipes for cleaning brass also and it all worked so-so to ok at best. I'm not impressed with USCers for brass. I have since put mine back in it's box and it's under the steps for now. Maybe one day I'll try it out to clean some gun parts.

Word of caution though. Dont leave your cleaning fluid in your machine after your done. I left some in mine for an extended period of time and it actually pitted the stainless chemical tub.

If your interested in cleaning brass I highly suggest using the wet stainless media method. If you want some info on that feel free to pm or email me.

**Hawk** · December 21st, 2011, 02:44 PM

I bought one of these about a year ago.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/992...eaner-110-volt

Used it for a little while and it did what it was supposed to do with regards to cleaning brass (including cleaning the inside of the cases).
I kind of moved away from using it because:

1. Clean up of the machine after each use (disposal of dirty solution and wipe down)
2. Need to let the brass dry thoroughly before continuing with reloading process.
3. Need to buy, mix, and store a decent volume of solution.

I went back to vibration with the same walnut media I've been using for 3 years now.

**Xringshooter** · December 21st, 2011, 04:41 PM

I've never used mine for cleaning brass, I have a vibratory cleaner from Dillon to do that. I used it strictly for cleaning parts before repairs, coating, etc. and it works good for that.

**vapochilled** · December 21st, 2011, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by Xringshooter

An ultrasonic cleaner is a cleaning device that uses ultrasound and an appropriate cleaning solvent to do the cleaning. It doesn't vibrate the same as a case cleaner so you don't really have to worry about how much you put in the tank as long as you have sufficient solvent to cover what you are cleaning.

about as wrong as you can be,sorry.
the amount of energy absorbed by the tank contents directly affects how effective the unit can clean.
If it did not, why do you think they make large units?
brass absorbs ultrasonic energy very very well, so over filling will hinder the cleaning time, it will still clean, just not as well or as quickly.
Anyway, I have the very same unit and it cleans a load(around a 100 or so pistol cases) in under 6mins from start to end.
I also use the hornady cleaner, but also have several home brew recipes.
Use distilled water to avoid water stains.
I deprime, then into the clean for a few cycles, with heat on.
Then a cycle of rinse in clean water.
Cases may not sparkle like a vibrating cleaner, but so much less mess and time.
Only down side is drying. I use a 5' length of 2x6 with maybe 700 2' 18gauge brads fired through it to hang the cases on to dry. Within a day or so the cases are dry and ready to go

**thefirstndsecond** · December 21st, 2011, 08:25 PM

At first I am looking to use this to clean my barrels, gun parts etc..

I do not reload yet.

When I do reload it will be for rifle and pistol bullets.