Is there a low-end ultrasound cleaner that anyone can recommend for the occassional cleaning of gun parts, perhaps up to bolt body or reloading die size?

Not totally ultrasonic, but the bottom rack of a dishwasher works pretty good.

Nope, I am banned from attempting such "multiple use" projects with the wife's appliances. See, there was once an attempt at putting a big tackle box gooped up with semi-melted plastic worms in her dishwasher. Results were mixed. Suffice it to say I'm in the market for a little benchtop parts cleaner of some type to put small gooped up mil-surp parts in.

I am in the same boat.
Always wanted one, like to do pistols or really cruddy over under shotgun frames, like the ones that come in for a cleaning job that you can pick out the fouling with your fingers.

Looked at them on Ebay not too long ago, I think there were some mediums sized table-top ones.

I love watching them at the SHOT Show every year and how crud just explodes off the gun.

-Spencer

There are some ultrasound jewelry cleaners you can pick up pretty cheap that would probably work. I’ve seen some big enough to probably hold a bolt.

I know of 2 that maybe what you are looking for.
1 I got this for my GF and use it to clean hand guns and parts.
2 , a little pricey for me but probely a better unit long term.

Johnch

Johnch:

The cleaners are very tempting. What is normally used for a cleaning fluid? Thanks!

Glenn

The manual calls for straight water .
I use windshield washer fluid ,the cheap blue stuff.
Cleans her rings and any nasty gun parts .

Johnch

My dad was a watch and clockmaker. He used ammonia in his cleaner.

Not only would it clean a clock movement but also would clear out most of the neighborhood.

There was one with a one pint capacity in the recent Harbor Freight flyer... pretty cheap.

I have heard that perchloroethylene (PCE) dry cleaner fluid turns to phosgene gas in an ultrasonic or microwave environment.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross

R12 freon turns to phosgene gas in the presence of a flame. I do not know if R134 does or not, but I do not think perc could do it either.

OOPS, my bad! Found this in the MSDS:
HAZARDOUS COMBUSTION PRODUCTS: During a fire, smoke may contain the original material in addition to unidentified toxic and/or irritating compounds. Hazardous combustion products may include and are not limited to hydrogen chloride. Hazardous combustion products may include trace amounts of phosgene, chlorine.

Sorry Ewin, I learn something new every day!

I use simple green in mine and works well. Mines big enough for a carburator. Ammonia will destroy some plated parts and aluminum. An ultrasonic cleaner can chew up aluminum just with water. Use for short periods of time does not seem to hurt. Never use anything organic in these cleaners that is semi combustable unless you want to build a new garage. Brownells sells some stuff for the ones they sell. I've haven't tried them yet.

Ultrasound Cleaner by Harbor Frieght $29.99