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Who makes a good sonic cleaner?
- Thread starter The Zod
- Start date
Chad I paid like $30 for the one I have, had it for like 3-4 years now. Harbor Freight cheapo model. I'm thinking no more than we have to use them it's no point in getting a high price one.
ausf
Master at Arms
I echo Bob, this isn't something you need to spend a ton of cash on. It's also one of those things that gets made in one or two plants and rebranded for a lot of different companies.
Keep in mind, the sound just generates a vibration as the parts sit in a cleaning solution (Windex). Don't expect miracles, you can get similar result by soaking and removing stuff by hand. There is one recommendation that you do it weekly, but I'd end up spending more on Windex than I do on paint if I did.
I bought one thinking it would make a huge difference, but really it just takes up shop space. I'll use it about once a month because I feel I have to, but I find if I just keep the brush clean as I use it, there's no need for deep cleaning.
They're made for cleaning jewelry, etc, where you're just trying to dislodge dirt and skin oil that gets stuck in crevices on rings and the like. It's not really meant to break away dried paint, which once you have the brush apart, could be done with soaking and those paper points and soft brush cleaners.
Going in, I kind of expected to place the brush in the machine, press a button and it'll look like it did when I first cracked the box. It's not the case.
Keep in mind, the sound just generates a vibration as the parts sit in a cleaning solution (Windex). Don't expect miracles, you can get similar result by soaking and removing stuff by hand. There is one recommendation that you do it weekly, but I'd end up spending more on Windex than I do on paint if I did.
I bought one thinking it would make a huge difference, but really it just takes up shop space. I'll use it about once a month because I feel I have to, but I find if I just keep the brush clean as I use it, there's no need for deep cleaning.
They're made for cleaning jewelry, etc, where you're just trying to dislodge dirt and skin oil that gets stuck in crevices on rings and the like. It's not really meant to break away dried paint, which once you have the brush apart, could be done with soaking and those paper points and soft brush cleaners.
Going in, I kind of expected to place the brush in the machine, press a button and it'll look like it did when I first cracked the box. It's not the case.
jknaus
Administrator
I got mine on EBay about 5 years ago
I think. Very inexpensive but good. Dont remember the company but the part number is HB 3813. Looks pretty much like this one.
https://www.amazon.ca/Lyman-Turbo-Sonic-Small-Cleaner/dp/B0077RHZE8/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1474838789&sr=8-13&keywords=Sonic+cleaner
James
I think. Very inexpensive but good. Dont remember the company but the part number is HB 3813. Looks pretty much like this one.
https://www.amazon.ca/Lyman-Turbo-Sonic-Small-Cleaner/dp/B0077RHZE8/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1474838789&sr=8-13&keywords=Sonic+cleaner
James
for really cleaning I suggest getting those wire brushes, picked up a set at the now defunct CRM Models booth.
These, except I didn't get the long handle brush (toothbrush would work) or the Brush pen, not even sure what you'd use that on. Just those with the bristles around the wire.
http://grexusa.com/grexairbrush/products.php5?id=FA02
These, except I didn't get the long handle brush (toothbrush would work) or the Brush pen, not even sure what you'd use that on. Just those with the bristles around the wire.
http://grexusa.com/grexairbrush/products.php5?id=FA02
Darn you all to heck Zod. You had to make me look at what was out there.
I now have a shiny new sonic cleaner coming my way. :idonno
Now to explain to the wife.....she throws her jewelry in with my airbrushes so maybe it was the extra wear and tear ?????
James
That looks like the one I got except the nice wire basket. What happened, Chris walk by the computer again and click buy now?
Heavens Eagle
Well-known member
I have an ancient ultrasonic technical pen cleaner that was tossed my way from a place I worked years ago. It works well but I almost never use it. It runs for a while until it heats the solution up and shuts off.
As to cleaning my Krome, I heavily modified the bottom of the cup right after I first got it. Call it blueprinting like they do with car intake manifolds. Made it where the paint ALL flows down to the nozzle and makes it much easier to clean. I will get a TOOL TIME posting up on that airbrush eventually showing a bunch of stuff.
I have found that good old pipe cleaners work for getting the tube behind the nozzle clean. Use the pipe cleaner then take a wire cutter and snip off the dirty end. They last a LONG time that way. Q-tips and fancy version make up type Q-tips from Walgreens work for cleaning the cup area. Then a special tool I made out of brass wire, based on one I bought from Badger years ago for cleaning the inside of the tip. (that will need some pics) It is tapered and basically scrapes all the paint from the inside of the tip or nozzle. The original was steel, the brass one is less likely to damage the inside of the tip. I have a lot of trouble with acrylic paints leaving deposits so I don't like using them. Basically if it won't clean out with lacquer cleaner I don't like using it as the airbrush then HAS to be torn down.
I also periodically take the rest of the airbrush apart "completely". That includes the rear seal behind the cup that Badger wants you to send the airbrush to them for replacement. That ended up (for me at least) being a no brainer and quite easy to remove, clean and reseat. I can understand though why they decided to make it a "send in replacement" item. You have to have a REAL LIGHT TOUCH when putting it back together to adjust the tension just right. Too tight the needle won't move or you damage the seal (just a light touch when installing can be too tight) Too loose and it leaks. Works better than their old needle seal though and is adjustable if you can do light touchy adjustments. The other part to removing it is having the exact correct type of screwdriver. (I just happened to have the right Wiha screwdriver)
Once I make the post, I might contact them with a link and ask if they will sell me an extra couple of tips and an extra couple of those seal parts for spares. We will see.
Spares in hand beat cheeks on having to wait on parts to ship.
As to cleaning my Krome, I heavily modified the bottom of the cup right after I first got it. Call it blueprinting like they do with car intake manifolds. Made it where the paint ALL flows down to the nozzle and makes it much easier to clean. I will get a TOOL TIME posting up on that airbrush eventually showing a bunch of stuff.
I have found that good old pipe cleaners work for getting the tube behind the nozzle clean. Use the pipe cleaner then take a wire cutter and snip off the dirty end. They last a LONG time that way. Q-tips and fancy version make up type Q-tips from Walgreens work for cleaning the cup area. Then a special tool I made out of brass wire, based on one I bought from Badger years ago for cleaning the inside of the tip. (that will need some pics) It is tapered and basically scrapes all the paint from the inside of the tip or nozzle. The original was steel, the brass one is less likely to damage the inside of the tip. I have a lot of trouble with acrylic paints leaving deposits so I don't like using them. Basically if it won't clean out with lacquer cleaner I don't like using it as the airbrush then HAS to be torn down.
I also periodically take the rest of the airbrush apart "completely". That includes the rear seal behind the cup that Badger wants you to send the airbrush to them for replacement.
That ended up (for me at least) being a no brainer and quite easy to remove, clean and reseat. I can understand though why they decided to make it a "send in replacement" item. You have to have a REAL LIGHT TOUCH when putting it back together to adjust the tension just right. Too tight the needle won't move or you damage the seal (just a light touch when installing can be too tight) Too loose and it leaks. Works better than their old needle seal though and is adjustable if you can do light touchy adjustments. The other part to removing it is having the exact correct type of screwdriver. (I just happened to have the right Wiha screwdriver) Once I make the post, I might contact them with a link and ask if they will sell me an extra couple of tips and an extra couple of those seal parts for spares. We will see.
Spares in hand beat cheeks on having to wait on parts to ship.
jknaus
Administrator
Darn you all to heck Zod. You had to make me look at what was out there.
I now have a shiny new sonic cleaner coming my way. :idonno
Now to explain to the wife.....she throws her jewelry in with my airbrushes so maybe it was the extra wear and tear ?????
James
That looks like the one I got except the nice wire basket. What happened, Chris walk by the computer again and click buy now?
No she was napping. The lid is broken on mine. It still works great but I have thought once or twice about it. Looking at Amazon though and this one jumped out at me. It heats the fluid and is 160Watts so pretty powerful for a little rig. And I just sort of kind of clicked on it. :pinch:
James
Heavens Eagle
Well-known member
Just have her be careful about what jewelry she puts in it. Emmeralds usually disintegrate in ultrasonic cleaners. Other stones can be damaged. Diamonds, ruby, and sapphire are ok. Anything that looks like them is usually ok.
The Zod
Active member
Don't you just hate it when you sort of click on something? :gogoDarn you all to heck Zod. You had to make me look at what was out there.
I now have a shiny new sonic cleaner coming my way. :idonno
Now to explain to the wife.....she throws her jewelry in with my airbrushes so maybe it was the extra wear and tear ?????
James
That looks like the one I got except the nice wire basket. What happened, Chris walk by the computer again and click buy now?
No she was napping. The lid is broken on mine. It still works great but I have thought once or twice about it. Looking at Amazon though and this one jumped out at me. It heats the fluid and is 160Watts so pretty powerful for a little rig. And I just sort of kind of clicked on it. :pinch:
James
Heavens Eagle
Well-known member
Yeah, I sorta clicked on a PBY. :facepalm
paddy
Well-known member
Ha ha ...toy town stuff
My sonic cleaner takes a gallon and is used for cleaning motorcycle carburetors. I use it most days but in my opinion more important than the cleaner itself is the fluids you use. I buy it in gallon cans and it comes in different degrees of aggression from mild solvent to stuff that strips rust from steel in about 3 minutes !!
Over the years i have had several makes and my advice once you get into larger models is to go as simple as you can, you don't need digital readouts to clean something for 2 minutes and temp is not fussy to within 10 degrees so go for a clockwork timer and temp setting of 1-10 on a dial. The simpler the better and the longer it will last.
http://mistralie.co.uk/collections/ultrasonic-cleaners
My sonic cleaner takes a gallon and is used for cleaning motorcycle carburetors. I use it most days but in my opinion more important than the cleaner itself is the fluids you use. I buy it in gallon cans and it comes in different degrees of aggression from mild solvent to stuff that strips rust from steel in about 3 minutes !!
Over the years i have had several makes and my advice once you get into larger models is to go as simple as you can, you don't need digital readouts to clean something for 2 minutes and temp is not fussy to within 10 degrees so go for a clockwork timer and temp setting of 1-10 on a dial. The simpler the better and the longer it will last.
http://mistralie.co.uk/collections/ultrasonic-cleaners
Heavens Eagle
Well-known member
Yeah we have a gallon sized heavy duty ultrasonic at work. Use heavy soap and ammonia (yeah it knocks you over when you open the lid on a fresh batch of cleaner). Kind of eats your skin off a bit, but we have to use it. you wouldn't believe how nasty some folks' jewelry is.
My smaller ones at home are a lot less harsh.
My smaller ones at home are a lot less harsh.
iambrb
Well-known member
This one is super nice! Granted is $80 at Harbor freight but is worth every Penny, I have tried the small ones at Wal mart and the like, and this is head and shoulders over it...this is what I am getting for Christmas
Don't you just hate it when you sort of click on something? :gogoDarn you all to heck Zod. You had to make me look at what was out there.
I now have a shiny new sonic cleaner coming my way. :idonno
Now to explain to the wife.....she throws her jewelry in with my airbrushes so maybe it was the extra wear and tear ?????
James
That looks like the one I got except the nice wire basket. What happened, Chris walk by the computer again and click buy now?
No she was napping. The lid is broken on mine. It still works great but I have thought once or twice about it. Looking at Amazon though and this one jumped out at me. It heats the fluid and is 160Watts so pretty powerful for a little rig. And I just sort of kind of clicked on it. :pinch:
James
I use Windex Paddy, probably not the approved solution but works well. Also use it on resin pieces. Good enough for no streak windows... 
