A real quick one here. Do any of you fellas have any experience with ultrasonic cleaning of cases as opposed to tumbling. I recently saw an article on 6mmbr.com on the subject and the results looked promising but any other experiences would be most valuable.

ATB

Z

Ultrasonic is a great way to go. Use it after resizing and tumbling, but be prepared for the expense.

A decent 2.75 gallon cleaner (11.5 x 9.5 x 6) will run you around $1,035. Plus the cost of fluids (anywhere from $20 per gallon to $50 per gallon).

Ebay has ultrasonic machines very reasonablly priced. There is an artical on the 6RR site that goes into it in depth and it sounds very promising. They even tell you how to make up a cleaning solution out of household products that are said to work exceedingly well.

Steve, and others, I would be very curious to know what cleaning fluids you would use/recommend. I have used an ultrasonic cleaner a lot in the golf biz, and a lot of different 'solvents' so I wonder what works well for case cleaning. It is also typical that ultrasonic cleaning works better with heated solutions, many ultrasonic cleaners are available with heating as an option.

Regards--Don

We always have ac ouple running at work.

I used this product

Micro-90

with great results. Cases look like new after a few hours, even the primer pockets. Outside of the cases look new after a few minutes. We use the stuff to clean some fairly intricate parts for electon microscopes. It leaves no residue and does an exceptional job, especially on copper-based materials.

As a side benefit, you can clean the wife's jewelry too!

I USE ULTRASONIC CLEANING AND USE BIRCHWOOD CASEY CASE CLEANER FOR IT. WORKS GREAT.

I'VE HEARD HARBOR FREIGHT HAS A FAIRLY DECENT ULTRASONIC CLEANER AND THE PRICE IS RIGHT.

I was in Harbor Freight the other day and noticed the cleaners mentioned above. Got me to thinking along these lines also. Going to seriously consider this.

The one on Harbor Freight's website is not all that good.

It is small, it has no heater, and I didn't see any baskets listed for it.

1-1/2 quart, in my opinion is not large enough to do any serious amount of cleaning.

Look for one that is at least 1-1/2 gallon.

I have a friend who has inherited some tattoo instruments includin an ultrasonic cleaner and the results are great on brass cases. For a smaller one I think the link here below shows the right size for moderate use but good results:

http://cgi.ebay.com/INDUSTRIAL-6-5-LITER-ULTRASONIC-CLE...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

well I've used ultrasonic cleaners about 1/2 of my working career on pivots and jewels and the like. In my personal opinion for a reloader it is about necessary as tits on a bore hog. I further think that those who think it is beneficial are far more advanced on the evolutionary ladder than I am. roger

Ultrasound necessary? No...

Most of the stuff we do is not necessary...

However, I find that after I lube a case, size it, tumble it (caress, hold and love it), that there is always a residue of both lube and walnut/corncob grit and jeweler's rouge left hanging-on for dear life to the brass.

I quick dip in the magic bubble machine removes all that crud.