ultasonic cleaner or elbow grease?

[Couv]

Hello All,

I've got birthday money begging to be spent. I am considering buying an ultrasonic cleaner. The dive shop I used to work in never had one…they used the acid bath and elbow grease method which is what I have been doing ever since. However, if one of these cleaners does a better job I wouldn't mind splurging for a small one if they in fact do a better job at cleaning the difficult to access areas like the piston bore etc.

Also, any dos and don'ts using one are appreciated.

Thank you,

couv

 

[David P]

do a little research @ global and scubatools. I used to work in aerospace and used them on a daily basis, I never knew that you should not put parts directly on the bottom of the cleaner, use baskets to suspend the parts. I purchased a Crest...250D (about $400 I think) I opted for the digital but you can save a few bucks and go analog, if you go with the crest I do recommend getting the 250 and not the 175. Talking with the techs @ Crest they said the 250 give you much more bang for the buck and supposedly considerably more cleaning power...I learned this after I bought mine so I know the tech wasn't just trying to upsell me... hth

 

[Couv]

actually I was considering a cheapo modle unless some one recommends against it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-CD-3800-Digital-Ultrasonic-Cleaner-JEWELRY-WATCH_W0QQitemZ320076036288QQihZ011QQcategoryZ67720QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

 

[hunter991]

The crest units are pretty amazing. I signed up as a dealer for them awhile back to get myself and some others a good deal. Let me know if I can help you, but they are expensive.

I think the nicer units are worth it.

Brent

 

[redacted]

I figured the acid bath worked good enough for 30 years before ultrasonic cleaners so that was good enough for me. And it does the job - sort of. Then my daughter gave me a old small ultrasonic cleaner from her lab about the same time I got 3 Scubapro metal 2nds for $15, total. They were nasty but that cleaner brought them back to life. I still don't think it is necessary for regs that are in good shape. But for returning old regs to service or making somewhat used regs look almost new, it really is hard to beat. And it doesn't need to be one of the expensive ones. It's probably nice to do an entire reg in one shot but mine is so small that I have to do a 1st stage in a couple batches including turning the body from one side to the other. But it works.

 

[Couv]

I did a bad job of posting my question. I will be using the unit for home use about once a year. I only have a few regulators.

EDIT: You type fast awap....so then for the $40 or $50 bucks it could be useful?

 

[redacted]

EDIT: You type fast awap....so then for the $40 or $50 bucks it could be useful?

I don't think you have to spend more than that to get something adequate. The LDS that helps me got his at Sam's for about $40.

 

[Hoosier]

I have this for my DIY.

It isn't a professional UC, but it is more than enough for my 13 regulators.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

In my experience, the difference between a really good ultrasound cleaner and a cheaper one is that you run it a little longer with the cheap one. Unless you are doing lots of regs the extra time is a non issue.

I will throw the first stage parts in and then disassemble the second stages while the cleaner runs, Then dry, service and reassemble the first stage while the second stage parts are cleaned, so the time required for cleaning is not a major factor.

I also agree with AWAP that unless the reg is badly abused and very dirty, an acid bath is more than enough.

 

[redacted]

I have this for my DIY.

It isn't a professional UC, but it is more than enough for my 13 regulators.

That looks to be the right size for not having to do the cleaning piecemeal and turning larger parts over. Nice choice. That would even do my Mk7.