Ultrasonic Cleaner Advice?

[hartwickco]

I've got a great deal of brass to process, and I've always used tumblers to clean and vibratory bowls to polish. The results are excellent -- factory clean and finish! -- but it's obviously time-consuming.

I've been looking at ultrasonics like the Hornady and Lyman, but my question is whether you all think it's necessary to get a reloading-specific ultrasonic cleaner. Amazon is filled with them, cheaper and larger capacities, for industrial and laboratory cleaning.

Is there any benefit to paying a premium for a reloading brand's ultrasonic, or do the others get the job done exactly the same way? Any experience with this or advice is appreciated!

[elmacgyver0]

I doubt if there is much difference between them. You just need to get a good one.
I have an old American Beauty that I use to clean parts and recently spent primers.
I pin tumble my brass anymore, got tired of all the poisonous dust from dry tumbling.

[hartwickco]

I doubt if there is much difference between them. You just need to get a good one.
I have an old American Beauty that I use to clean parts and recently spent primers.
I pin tumble my brass anymore, got tired of all the poisonous dust from dry tumbling.

That makes sense. And I don't mind spending a bit for quality -- but $150-200 for a 2 or 3 liter Hornady raised an eyebrow when a 10L non-reloading brand is that price and a 30L is $300-400. First and foremost, though, I want very clean brass, so I hope I can crack this nut!

[country gent]

One plus to the bigger non reloading brands is the larger size allows more use in cleaning larger things. Im going to purchase one of the 22-30 liter models for in the shop. The drawback to the bigger units is longer heat up time and more cleaners solvents used.

[Barry54]

I started with walnut and corncob media. Then upgraded to ultrasonic.
Then I got a rotary rock tumbler. Clean with soapy water and stainless steel pins. It cleans the primer pockets too. I run it somewhere between 30 minutes and 90 minutes. I wish I hadn’t wasted my money on the others...

[elmacgyver0]

An ultrasonic cleaner has a whole lot of uses besides cleaning brass, I use mine all the time and I never have used it to clean brass.

[GBertolet]

I purchased one from Sharpertek. It's a 6.2 liter size. I got it mainly for cleaning small engine parts. Sharpertek offered a gun cleaning accessory kit, which I purchased along with the unit. This unit will handle two complete handguns for cleaning. I purchased a bottle of RCBS case cleaner concentrate also, which the mix can be reused several times. This unit costs around $500, is a 2 transducer model, 600 watt heater, with digital readout. It is considered to be a mid priced unit. No complaints on this unit.

It cleans brass pretty well. It's a PITA for cleaning small volumes of brass. Setting up, bringing up the heat, drying the brass, etc. I store my unit dry, under the workbench, and add whatever chemical needed to clean the type of items desired. I just use the corn cobb vibratory cleaner for small volumes, and reserve the ultrasonic for larger brass volumes. Some have had great success just using Dawn dish washing detergent, instead of buying a concentrate. Here is some info on ultrasonic cleaners.

https://youtu.be/BTN7-C72eHA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeBB-J0fOp4

[Tall]

I have the Hornady Ultrasonic Cleaner. Following the directions and using the cleaning solution sold by Hornady I am unable to detect any cleaning whatsoever. I set it to 30 minutes, no cleaning of any kind. Total waste of money. I have a FART and a Hornady vibratory cleaner that both work.

[jdgabbard]

I've got a great deal of brass to process, and I've always used tumblers to clean and vibratory bowls to polish. The results are excellent -- factory clean and finish! -- but it's obviously time-consuming.

I've been looking at ultrasonics like the Hornady and Lyman, but my question is whether you all think it's necessary to get a reloading-specific ultrasonic cleaner. Amazon is filled with them, cheaper and larger capacities, for industrial and laboratory cleaning.

Is there any benefit to paying a premium for a reloading brand's ultrasonic, or do the others get the job done exactly the same way? Any experience with this or advice is appreciated!

Check out my post in this thread: https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?455362-An-expensive-mistake%85

Now, my advice, buy a good one. Don't skimp on the cleaning solution - i.e. buy the stuff, don't look for a homemade solution, less you end up like me. And stay away from the cheaper Lyman type, that is the type that I had this problem with, the tank is VERY thin...

[TNsailorman]

I tried the sonic cleaning routine with a Hornady sonic cleaner and was disappointed with the results. I sold it and bought a Thumblers Tumbler and I wet tumble my brass with pins and a solution of Dawn, Lemi-Shine and a carwash/wax solution that I read about somewhere. I sometimes don't even use the pins and brass comes out looking better than new. It takes longer than any 30 mintes though. I dry my brass with an old dehydrator that I once used to dry fruit, meat, etc.. The last brass I cleaned was a batch of old 30's 30-06 brass that was pretty gungy. I did not use pins and I forgot about putting the brass on to clean. It ran for about 22 hours before I remembered it and took the brass out of the tumbler. Brass was so bright it almost glowed. Really shiney. I wish I had bought this Thumbler years ago as I burned up 2 media tumblers and was on a third one before I broke down and bought the Thumbler. My experience anyway, james

[Barry54]

I tried the sonic cleaning routine with a Hornady sonic cleaner and was disappointed with the results. I sold it and bought a Thumblers Tumbler and I wet tumble my brass with pins and a solution of Dawn, Lemi-Shine and a carwash/wax solution that I read about somewhere. I sometimes don't even use the pins and brass comes out looking better than new. It takes longer than any 30 mintes though. I dry my brass with an old dehydrator that I once used to dry fruit, meat, etc.. The last brass I cleaned was a batch of old 30's 30-06 brass that was pretty gungy. I did not use pins and I forgot about putting the brass on to clean. It ran for about 22 hours before I remembered it and took the brass out of the tumbler. Brass was so bright it almost glowed. Really shiney. I wish I had bought this Thumbler years ago as I burned up 2 media tumblers and was on a third one before I broke down and bought the Thumbler. My experience anyway, james

30 minutes is what I’ve been doing here lately as soon as I pick it up off the ground. Depending on caliber, I’ll deprive or resize and tumble again. The rifle cases get another run or two to get the greasy feel from the lanolin to go away. I’m running two bottles of pins though. Don’t know if that makes a difference, but 30 minutes definitely makes a significant difference in the appearance of the brass. Usually longer tumble times really only help with primer residue in my experience.

I sprung for the thumblers tumbler made for brass. It might be advertised as high speed iirc. I have overloaded it with pins, brass and 7/8 full of water. It wouldn’t spin. Just slipped. Had to remove part of the batch and restart. Now I have a vessel dedicated as a measure, so I don’t overload it with brass.

Even if you run it longer, I still think it’s the best method. No more picking media out of flash holes. Brass looks new inside and out!

[Shawlerbrook]

I use the large size HF ultrasonic cleaner with Dawn, Lemishine and hot distilled water and it cleans my brass fine. No, it doesn’t come out shiny and looking better than new like the SS pins, but it is clean. Trick is don’t overload it.

[gzig5]

Get the biggest, most capable cleaner you can afford. The "reloader" brands are just relabeled imports of some persuasion and there are better quality and features available. Pre-heater is a nice touch, and a big basket that keeps the material off the floor is important. I use mine to clean all kinds of carburetors and other things I had never thought I might.

[JimB..]

I think it’s the wrong tool for cleaning brass. You end up with half clean brass that you need to dry, ie all the downsides of each dry and wet tumbling with none of the advantages of either.

What’s a “great deal of brass”? I did a couple 55gal drums worth with a FART before switching to a larger wet tumbler.

[Tonto]

I have an older HF that I’ve used on brass, it works great. I see now they have a larger one. The HF is the same as one or more of the reloading branded machines that cost a lot more. 90 day warranty, wring it out on them. Lemishine and dawn. Primer pockets spotless. Brass very shiny.

[hartwickco]

One plus to the bigger non reloading brands is the larger size allows more use in cleaning larger things. Im going to purchase one of the 22-30 liter models for in the shop. The drawback to the bigger units is longer heat up time and more cleaners solvents used.

Great point. I'm patient enough that the longer heat up is alright with me. What I really wish is there were options large enough to take barrels other than the Hornady Hot Tub (which is $700?!). But even throwing in BP revolvers would be a tremendous help, so that 22-30 liter range you mentioned seems like a good fit.

[hartwickco]

I started with walnut and corncob media. Then upgraded to ultrasonic.
Then I got a rotary rock tumbler. Clean with soapy water and stainless steel pins. It cleans the primer pockets too. I run it somewhere between 30 minutes and 90 minutes. I wish I hadn’t wasted my money on the others...

I've definitely had excellent results with the rotary tumbler, and part of me says to stick with that even though it takes a while (separating pins, etc.). The lure of throwing so many other non-shooting items into the sonic does make me think it would be useful -- if I can find the right price point, having every option would be nice.

[hartwickco]

An ultrasonic cleaner has a whole lot of uses besides cleaning brass, I use mine all the time and I never have used it to clean brass.

I do a lot of chainsaw work and tossing parts in, or chains in glass jars full of gasoline, is a real draw here for me. If I end up using it for that stuff and rarely if ever for brass, I still think it might be a win.

[hartwickco]

I purchased one from Sharpertek. It's a 6.2 liter size. I got it mainly for cleaning small engine parts. Sharpertek offered a gun cleaning accessory kit, which I purchased along with the unit. This unit will handle two complete handguns for cleaning. I purchased a bottle of RCBS case cleaner concentrate also, which the mix can be reused several times. This unit costs around $500, is a 2 transducer model, 600 watt heater, with digital readout. It is considered to be a mid priced unit. No complaints on this unit.

It cleans brass pretty well. It's a PITA for cleaning small volumes of brass. Setting up, bringing up the heat, drying the brass, etc. I store my unit dry, under the workbench, and add whatever chemical needed to clean the type of items desired. I just use the corn cobb vibratory cleaner for small volumes, and reserve the ultrasonic for larger brass volumes. Some have had great success just using Dawn dish washing detergent, instead of buying a concentrate. Here is some info on ultrasonic cleaners.

https://youtu.be/BTN7-C72eHA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeBB-J0fOp4

Thanks for attaching this PDF, GBertolet -- the section about lubrication is pretty interesting. I hadn't come across anyone mentioning that, but it makes sense that you'd need to pay attention to rust inhibiting immediately after ultrasonic cleaning.

[hartwickco]

I have the Hornady Ultrasonic Cleaner. Following the directions and using the cleaning solution sold by Hornady I am unable to detect any cleaning whatsoever. I set it to 30 minutes, no cleaning of any kind. Total waste of money. I have a FART and a Hornady vibratory cleaner that both work.

This is the sort of testimony that got me looking beyond reloading brands. It seems like some people really saw no benefit at all, and it just didn't make sense to drop $150-200 on a tiny capacity thing that barely worked. It felt like the Hornady reviews were especially weak. If I swing and miss on cleaning brass, I do want a device that at least cleans other stuff well.

[hartwickco]

Check out my post in this thread: https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?455362-An-expensive-mistake%85

Now, my advice, buy a good one. Don't skimp on the cleaning solution - i.e. buy the stuff, don't look for a homemade solution, less you end up like me. And stay away from the cheaper Lyman type, that is the type that I had this problem with, the tank is VERY thin...

Ohhh boy. Yeah, that story is a good warning... I'll avoid being adventurous with solutions. I'm usually pretty cautious and go by the book on this stuff, too many personal examples of realizing that the most expensive thing I can do is try to save a buck. :)

[hartwickco]

I tried the sonic cleaning routine with a Hornady sonic cleaner and was disappointed with the results. I sold it and bought a Thumblers Tumbler and I wet tumble my brass with pins and a solution of Dawn, Lemi-Shine and a carwash/wax solution that I read about somewhere. I sometimes don't even use the pins and brass comes out looking better than new. It takes longer than any 30 mintes though. I dry my brass with an old dehydrator that I once used to dry fruit, meat, etc.. The last brass I cleaned was a batch of old 30's 30-06 brass that was pretty gungy. I did not use pins and I forgot about putting the brass on to clean. It ran for about 22 hours before I remembered it and took the brass out of the tumbler. Brass was so bright it almost glowed. Really shiney. I wish I had bought this Thumbler years ago as I burned up 2 media tumblers and was on a third one before I broke down and bought the Thumbler. My experience anyway, james

I ended up going with Frankford Arsenal just because the Thumbler price point was so much higher, but it seems like the people with Thumblers are REALLY happy with how well they work. Might be time for an upgrade... :)

[hartwickco]

30 minutes is what I’ve been doing here lately as soon as I pick it up off the ground. Depending on caliber, I’ll deprive or resize and tumble again. The rifle cases get another run or two to get the greasy feel from the lanolin to go away. I’m running two bottles of pins though. Don’t know if that makes a difference, but 30 minutes definitely makes a significant difference in the appearance of the brass. Usually longer tumble times really only help with primer residue in my experience.

I sprung for the thumblers tumbler made for brass. It might be advertised as high speed iirc. I have overloaded it with pins, brass and 7/8 full of water. It wouldn’t spin. Just slipped. Had to remove part of the batch and restart. Now I have a vessel dedicated as a measure, so I don’t overload it with brass.

Even if you run it longer, I still think it’s the best method. No more picking media out of flash holes. Brass looks new inside and out!

I had the same experience with trying to find the maximum weight that wouldn't overload the motor. Took me a few rounds, but I found the right balance. Primer residue is really the most challenging part for me... I like using a uniformer but that works best when the pocket is cleaned a bit first.

[hartwickco]

I use the large size HF ultrasonic cleaner with Dawn, Lemishine and hot distilled water and it cleans my brass fine. No, it doesn’t come out shiny and looking better than new like the SS pins, but it is clean. Trick is don’t overload it.

I'm trying to set my expectations realistically here -- I see the ultrasonic as a great solution for an initial wash of the very muddy pickup brass. Then resize/deprime, then SS pins for that perfectly clean like-new look.

[hartwickco]

Get the biggest, most capable cleaner you can afford. The "reloader" brands are just relabeled imports of some persuasion and there are better quality and features available. Pre-heater is a nice touch, and a big basket that keeps the material off the floor is important. I use mine to clean all kinds of carburetors and other things I had never thought I might.

Hey gzig5 -- when I started this thread I was thinking about finding the smallest unit that still made sense, probably in the 10 liter range. From all the responses, including yours, I've changed my mind on that. The ultrasonics really do seem to pay off best when they're larger and higher quality, so a bit more money makes sense here.

[hartwickco]

I think it’s the wrong tool for cleaning brass. You end up with half clean brass that you need to dry, ie all the downsides of each dry and wet tumbling with none of the advantages of either.

What’s a “great deal of brass”? I did a couple 55gal drums worth with a FART before switching to a larger wet tumbler.

Hey Jim -- I have a good dryer so I'm ok with that, but I think you're right. It does seem to do a rough clean and that's all. Sometimes that's what I need, though.

In terms of brass, I'm looking at about 100 gallons of muddy pickup brass that I think will need an initial cleaning for resizing/depriming and then tumble/pins.

[hartwickco]

I have an older HF that I’ve used on brass, it works great. I see now they have a larger one. The HF is the same as one or more of the reloading branded machines that cost a lot more. 90 day warranty, wring it out on them. Lemishine and dawn. Primer pockets spotless. Brass very shiny.

I'm so grateful to know that the non-reloading brands are the right move here, whether it's a HF or Amazon brand. Honestly, that alone has paid for my CB gold membership for the next 5 years.