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Fredster
Tinkerer
Username: Fredster
Post Number: 25
Registered: 06-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 31, 2009 - 10:52 am: | 
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How does one ultrasonically clean small bits like screws? Thanks. |
Paj
Tinkerer
Username: Paj
Post Number: 6
Registered: 07-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 31, 2009 - 01:42 pm: |
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Hi Fredster,
I use a small ultrasonic cleaning bath which you should be able to get fairly cheaply from some jewellers. They use them for things like cleaning ear rings, stone settings, etc. The one I've got has two small baths (approx 3" dia x 2" deep)and small screws can be put straight in the baths or you could put them in a thimble maybe.
This stops the entire bath getting quickly contaminated by the dirt which is removed. You can also add detergent to the first bath and rinse in the second. As I said mine is only a small cheap affair but it works well for small parts. I would have liked a "real" laboratory type but these whilst much more powerful are pretty expensive.
cheers paj |
Fredster
Tinkerer
Username: Fredster
Post Number: 26
Registered: 06-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 31, 2009 - 09:32 pm: |
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Thanks, Paj. Mine has a removable plastic basket which is great for gears and things, but tiny screws would fall right through. I was thinking about maybe putting the small bits in a pill bottle, or alternatively on a cloth? |
Paj
Tinkerer
Username: Paj
Post Number: 7
Registered: 07-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 01:12 pm: |
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Hi Fredster,
Just one thought, you may find that if you put them in plastic bottles or on a cloth these materials may absorb some of the energy and lessen the cleaning effect. It may not make much difference. Anyway just give it a try. Mine is only a very basic one but the cleaning effect is pretty awesome---brilliant for cleaning the gunge from knurling.
cheers Paj glad to be of any help. |
David_ritchie
Tinkerer
Username: David_ritchie
Post Number: 46
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 02, 2009 - 10:14 am: |
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Can anyone recommend a safe cleaning fluid to use in an ultrasonic cleaning in order to clean oil and dirt from shutters. I have in mind cleaning shutters after removal from the camera and with the glass removed. I have in mind a solvent like lighter fluid, but I am afraid that such a solvent would be dangerous due to flamibility. Maybe a chlorinated solvent or one of the old liquid Freons. Thanks |
John_cribbin
Tinkerer
Username: John_cribbin
Post Number: 12
Registered: 08-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 02, 2009 - 12:04 pm: |
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Hi David,
There is specific ultrasonic cleaner fluid which is used by hospitals. When I first got mine, several years ago I tried to locate some, but living in the UK it was either unobtainable or only in very expensive industrial quantities. I came across someone who recommended using nothing more than water with a few drops of washing up liquid (Fairy Liquid) as the degreaser. That's worked fine for me. Clean the parts, use kitchen paper to absorb excess fluid and if necessary put in a warm oven to evaporate any remaining moisture. Not sure if this would work with complete shutters with overlapping blades as some moisture may remain trapped, but for normal dirty parts works fine.
John |
Fredster
Tinkerer
Username: Fredster
Post Number: 27
Registered: 06-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 10, 2009 - 09:11 am: |
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I am using Simply Green as the solution and it works OK. I put the tiny screws in a plastic pill bottle with solution into the basket also solution with and it's OK. |
Petercat
Tinkerer
Username: Petercat
Post Number: 94
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 07:21 am: |
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I bundle small parts in one of my girlfriend's old stockings. One warning, though:
For the love of all the gods, man, ask her to give you one, don't just swipe one of hers! Your life, ability to have children, and all future happiness depend on this! |
Petercat
Tinkerer
Username: Petercat
Post Number: 95
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 07:22 am: |
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Oh, by the way, I found mine and a good solvent powder at Harbor Freight. Inexpensive. |
Fredster
Tinkerer
Username: Fredster
Post Number: 37
Registered: 06-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 04:46 pm: |
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I have seen the Harbor Freight stuff. I'll give it a try.
Thanks to all for your input. |
Nickon51
Tinkerer
Username: Nickon51
Post Number: 88
Registered: 05-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 07:42 pm: |
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Have a look at a clock parts reseller, like Timesavers or Meadows and Passmore. They have non-ammoniated cleaning solutions that work well. I use one of those tea infuser devices to hold the small parts. After they come out of the ultrasonic, rinse an then use Alcohol to absorb the remaining water, then dry with a hair dryer.
I'd be careful with shutter blades. Powerful ultrasonics could damage the more fragile types. |
