Small Ultrasonic Cleaner Recommendations

Jerry

I'm looking to buy an ultrasonic cleaner that's the right size, power, zip, brand, etc. to clean a valve piston or valve slide.

Anybody have any recommendations as to:

Doug Elliott · Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:48 pm Post subject:

I use one in my business making low brass mouthpieces. It's useful for cleaning off buffing compound. Don't expect miracles... In fact I would suggest it's a complete waste of money for your purposes. Even the powerful ones used for instruments need mechanical help for cleaning, and mostly they just poke holes in red rot areas.

Ronnman · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2023 6:23 am Post subject:

Jerry - I purchased a used ultrasonic cleaner off eBay for $25. The brand is GT Sonic.
I have had it for about a year and have cleaned valves and 1st, 2nd and 3rd slides on several horns with no operational issues.
It has a stainless steel tank.
The basket that sits in the tank dimensions are 3-1/4” X 5-3/4 X 1-5/8”.
Note, it is not large enough to submerge the complete tuning slide, but you may be able to do it by partially submerging it.
The cleaner has several timing settings, from 180-480 seconds.

There’s one new on eBay for $31. In my case, I figured what could I loose for $25!
Ron

https://www.ebay.com/itm/OpenBox-JewelrycleanerMachine-600mlStainless-Steel-Tank-DigitalTimer-SturdyWhite/144362921852?hash=item219cb35f7c:g:QK8AAOSws3ph2gwX&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAA8D8GXFvBb5N5soZ/HUSHEtoJhkyOrd5JSqb+wpmukYTvO+VRd5SwNu+C4qSWlRkimCSnXcxD72AeerR4URCwpAOwkGe0PPjuJhzRDeoB26X6FP+I0mQkeiH9CLo1Bkq3SP9CQYjNH2pCvU24x9lrKdETB0XTargQsTDmpQXeXxv4cMQUBNdkD/FU/i+t/kA9J/todZvXUBwYULEIRTa2di4ldQAb8rAv6vNLdciEwSCXoKlQEWHQqVA1Ev4hR65gAvXYzMQBpINpS+AdrP/UhWA4e1u24thhYxskO5bcEGtaOlYZc9wlO77iKL4eMyjMBA==%7Ctkp:Bk9SR8y_hby3Yg&pageci=836d8f3f-237f-4279-a3e5-4b2dccb5a3c0&redirect=mobile

_________________
Martin Committee #2 1954
Leblanc “Al Hirt” Model 1966
Olds Custom Crafted Ultra Sonic 1974
Edwards Gen II 2014

huntman10 · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2023 8:51 am Post subject:

I have had one very similar to the one Ronnman shows for nearly 20 years. Mine has a heating function that will strip old style cellulose (which I like). I leave a solution of about 2/3's water with Dawn detergent (don't use any detergents with a chlorine disinfectant, as well t will ruin silverplate) and 1/3 Simple Green. I find that t will get the crud off of valves and slide tubes ready to polish and lube.

Be sure to take down the pistons, removing caps, finger buttons, spring, and guides. Especially any plastic, and finger buttons with pearl inserts can be damaged.

I find it a great way to prep a dirty horn.
_________________
huntman10
Collector/Player of Fine (and not so fine) Brass Instruments including
Various Strads, Yammies, Al Hirt Courtois, Schilkes,
Selmer 25, Getzen Eternas, Kanstuls (920 Pic, CG)
Martin Custom Large Bore, Lots Olds!, Conns, etc.

Ronnman · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:22 am Post subject:

huntman10 - good info to make others aware of the things you shouldn’t place in the ultrasonic cleaner👍. I have been breaking down the valve assemblies as you describe and just placing the pistons in the cleaner. Another tip is to keep the components together for each valve. Otherwise you could cross the valve caps, stems, felts, and in effect mis-align the valves to the ports.
Ron
_________________
Martin Committee #2 1954
Leblanc “Al Hirt” Model 1966
Olds Custom Crafted Ultra Sonic 1974
Edwards Gen II 2014

kehaulani · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:29 am Post subject:

https://www.amazon.com/Magnasonic-Professional-Ultrasonic-Eyeglasses-MGUC500/dp/B007Q2M17K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1II02SEPQ6QW2&keywords=ultrasonic+jewelry+cleaner&qid=1691087274&sprefix=ultrasonic+jewerly+cleaner%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-1
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

spitvalve · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2023 6:05 pm Post subject:

This is the one I bought.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YHHJCYB?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
_________________
Bryan Fields
----------------
1991 Bach LR180 ML 37S
1999 Getzen Eterna 700S
1977 Getzen Eterna 895S Flugelhorn
1969 Getzen Capri cornet
1995 UMI Benge 4PSP piccolo trumpet
Warburton and Stomvi Flex mouthpieces

Jerry · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all of your responses.

Amazon is supposed to deliver tomorrow. I report back the cleaning results in a few days.

Again, input was much appreciated.

Ronnman · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 11:38 am Post subject:

Cleaned the valves on my Signet trumpet today. They were not too dirty to start with,
but checkout the pics before and then after the 280 second cleaning cycle.
Ron

_________________
Martin Committee #2 1954
Leblanc “Al Hirt” Model 1966
Olds Custom Crafted Ultra Sonic 1974
Edwards Gen II 2014

1957Tim · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2023 11:15 am Post subject:

Hi Jerry,

I was curious what you thought of your ultrasonic cleaner. Did it do the job you anticipated, and if so, what did you use as the cleaning agent? I thank you in advance for sharing your experience.

1957Tim

Craig Swartz · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2023 1:59 pm Post subject:

Harbor Freight sells a unit larger than tho one pictured for around $89. I use for cleaning brass for reloading, gun parts, mower parts, car parts, trumpet parts, and about anything that won't be ruined by such cleaning, whatever that might be. There are multiple solutions for different types of metal, jewelry, etc., or concoct your own from net recipes.

Jimbosan · Regular Member Joined: 15 Dec 2023 Posts: 47

I recently picked up a 2.5L Ultrasonic Cleaner from Harbor Freight. It's big enough to fit all of the slides and valves at one time. i would recommend putting the pieces and the cleaning solution into ziplock bags, and fill the tank with plain hot water. Use hot water to dilute the cleaning solution too. You will use much less cleaning solution and you will not have to clean out the tank on the ultrasonic cleaner if you use ziplock bags. The vibrations go right through the plastic bag. Do not use the heating element on the Ultrasonic cleaner unless you are trying to strip off lacquer. It's too easy to overheat the pieces. Using hot water in the tank and in the ziplock bags should be good enought. I start with 180 second cycles, and remove pieces that are clean enough before doing another 180 second cycle. (I hand clean my valves with Dawn, but they are never very dirty in the first place.) Here are the valve slides of a trumpet in a snack bag. The tuning slide fits with the valve slides in a sandwich bag.

_________________
Kanstul FBClassic bflat&C
'42 Buescher205
'45 Committee
'47 Holton48
'47 Conn22b
'48 Benge
'69 Olds Custom Crafted
'78 Getzen Eterna
'64 Bach Strad Cornet
'62 Olds Spl Cornet
'64 Conn 80a
'54 Conn 34a
Benge flugel
Olds,DEG Bugles