Ultrasonic cleaning - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

kestrelmusic · 8th Apr 2020, 8:24 pm

I saw a video on Youtube the other day in which someone restoring a vintage radio used an ultrasonic cleaning bath to de-grime various parts including a tuning gang.

Has anyone had experience in using one of these? They are obtainable quite cheaply. But I don't want to either buy something I will only use once or twice, or something that could damage fragile components. I dread to think of something that could reduce "monkey metal" parts to a heap of sludge!

David G4EBT · 8th Apr 2020, 10:05 pm

This topic crops up from time to time.

Rather than go over old ground, this thread might be of interest:

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...asonic+cleaner

The conundrum is that whilst they’re invaluable when needed, for many, the limited use doesn’t warrant the expenditure on a really effective bath. My own experience is that as with most things, you get what you pay for. The bath needs to oscillate at sufficiently high amplitude to be truly effective. I tried two cheap ones with disappointing results, which went back for a full refund before I bought an effective one. That said, others claim good results with cheap ones, but I doubt they would have a tank large enough for a two-gang tuning capacitor.

Bazz4CQJ · 8th Apr 2020, 10:09 pm

I think there was a lengthy thread within the last six months on this.
Those cleaners are wonderful if you get a good one, but much caution required if buying the budget ones.

B

usradcoll1 · 9th Apr 2020, 4:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazz4CQJ

I think there was a lengthy thread within the last six months on this.
Those cleaners are wonderful if you get a good one, but much caution required if buying the budget ones.

B

A few of the budget ones are nothing but an AC buzzer mounted on the bottom of a small vessel. They sell them as a jewelry cleaner. Totally worthless!
I was lucky to get a small one at a charity shop, a real one that works well for small items. It also has a digital timer that can be set for several minutes or so. I used it to clean a ball bearing for a project.

retailer · 14th Apr 2020, 1:58 am

Take a look at this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1DtY2VwSyY

Bazz4CQJ · 14th Apr 2020, 3:50 am

That's really interesting! I doubt if it competes with a professional grade ultrasonic cleaner for really critical processing (aerospace/defence), but for DIY, it very probably beats many of the "budget ultrasonic cleaners".

Also useful for when a part is too big for an ultrasonic bath.

B

8th Apr 2020, 8:24 pm	#1
kestrelmusic Hexode Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK. Posts: 466	Ultrasonic cleaning I saw a video on Youtube the other day in which someone restoring a vintage radio used an ultrasonic cleaning bath to de-grime various parts including a tuning gang. Has anyone had experience in using one of these? They are obtainable quite cheaply. But I don't want to either buy something I will only use once or twice, or something that could damage fragile components. I dread to think of something that could reduce "monkey metal" parts to a heap of sludge!

8th Apr 2020, 10:05 pm	#2
David G4EBT Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 5,761	Re: Ultrasonic cleaning This topic crops up from time to time. Rather than go over old ground, this thread might be of interest: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...asonic+cleaner The conundrum is that whilst they’re invaluable when needed, for many, the limited use doesn’t warrant the expenditure on a really effective bath. My own experience is that as with most things, you get what you pay for. The bath needs to oscillate at sufficiently high amplitude to be truly effective. I tried two cheap ones with disappointing results, which went back for a full refund before I bought an effective one. That said, others claim good results with cheap ones, but I doubt they would have a tank large enough for a two-gang tuning capacitor. __________________ David. BVWS Member. G-QRP Club member 1339.

8th Apr 2020, 10:09 pm	#3
Bazz4CQJ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 4,934	Re: Ultrasonic cleaning I think there was a lengthy thread within the last six months on this. Those cleaners are wonderful if you get a good one, but much caution required if buying the budget ones. B __________________ Saturn V had 6 million pounds of fuel. It would take thirty thousand strong men to lift it an inch. Last edited by Bazz4CQJ; 8th Apr 2020 at 10:38 pm.

14th Apr 2020, 1:58 am	#5
retailer Heptode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 541	Re: Ultrasonic cleaning Take a look at this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1DtY2VwSyY

14th Apr 2020, 3:50 am	#6
Bazz4CQJ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 4,934	Re: Ultrasonic cleaning That's really interesting! I doubt if it competes with a professional grade ultrasonic cleaner for really critical processing (aerospace/defence), but for DIY, it very probably beats many of the "budget ultrasonic cleaners". Also useful for when a part is too big for an ultrasonic bath. B __________________ Saturn V had 6 million pounds of fuel. It would take thirty thousand strong men to lift it an inch.