Ultrasonic cleaner recomendations?

[Paul LeClair]

Hi all

Car fire in garage mid November 2020 destroyed my Bentley Turbo R and gutted my garage to a shell. I lost a lot of tools. I have really been pushing hard on the garage rebuild, should be pretty much done in another couple of weeks maximum, just waiting on the new man door to be manufactured correctly, then wrap up interior trimming. A photo of the gutted cleaned up garage with new roof beams as of early January 2021, and couple of current progress photos as of February 23, 2021 attached. The rebuild is moving right along.

Now I am starting to look at replacing tools lost in the fire, including my L & R ultrasonic cleaner, which was a commercial unit mostly used in dental offices. Problem is the price, direct L & R replacement is now about $1,600 and I don't want to spend that much.

I am looking around for something between 13 litres and 28 litres capacity, heater, etc. Recommendations of any brands, suppliers that people have had decent service from? I am reluctant to buy the really cheap Chinese made ultrasonic units as many get terrible reviews for failing in very short order.

Recommendations?

Thanks

Paul LeClair

 

[1200ts]

Hello Paul,

I currently have three ultrasonic cleaners. Two are China and one USA. The USA made commercial one (Branson) has everything, degass, heat, frequency sweep and works very well. Unfortunately it is only 3 liters so can't handle big parts and is expensive. Over $1200 new. I bought mine used on Ebay for I think about $100. The bigger Branson units are even more expensive and out of my budget. The two China ones, the small one, 3 liters has no heat or any other features, but if you put hot soapy water in it it works fine too. The other China one is the biggest I could find and is 30 liters. It has heat but nothing else and also works great. Got it on Ebay for $170 new.

I have never had any issues with the China ones. I have been using them for years. The USA Branson cleaner does its job a little faster but I don't think the extra $1000 is worth it. Do you really care if it cleans the parts 10 minutes faster for an additional $1000? Also having a large and small cleaner is definitely good. Waiting 1 hour for the big unit to get up to temperature for cleaning some small parts is a problem.

Check Ebay and Craigslist. I found a big commercial one that could handle an entire auto engine block for $450 on Craigslist but had no room for it.

Bruce

 

[Paul LeClair]

these are what I have found so far. Pricing is about half of L & R and Branson, twice or more higher than the no name Chinese units

Canada Ultrasonics ™

What sets our Canada Ultrasonics™ units apart from the Chinese units you see on the internet CSA Approved Deeper tanks are better able to handle/ clean bigger parts More power than most North American units More heater power (up to 80° C) All parts in stock We provide all service including...

canadaultrasonics.com

Looking at the 13.5 liter and the 28 liter units. They also include a significant amount of cleaning chemicals.

 

[Gerald]

I have a Branson 2200, small unit which I use for carbs etc.
Bought it used on fleabay for € 90,00, works very well and is quiet when operating.

Regards
Gerald

 

[sideshow]

these are what I have found so far. Pricing is about half of L & R and Branson, twice or more higher than the no name Chinese units

Canada Ultrasonics ™

What sets our Canada Ultrasonics™ units apart from the Chinese units you see on the internet CSA Approved Deeper tanks are better able to handle/ clean bigger parts More power than most North American units More heater power (up to 80° C) All parts in stock We provide all service including...

canadaultrasonics.com

Looking at the 13.5 liter and the 28 liter units. They also include a significant amount of cleaning chemicals.

13.5 litres sounds a lot. But they aren’t that big. Would be good to have both a 13 . 5 and 28 litre unit.
I boil water on the stove to spread up the heating process and tip it in the ultrasonic cleaner this gets you working sooner. . Where possible I put things in either plastic bags or glass jars with the cleaning fluid of choice , and then that goes in the ultrasonic bath. It has 2 advantages. The Ultrasonic bath stays clean , and you use less chemicals. It’s not always possible to do it that way , some things are just to big or awkward to put in bags or jars , but even if you do that 50% of the time it is worth it. Research your cleaning chemicals for aluminium eg carbs etc. I use an aviation biodegradable , vegan friendly cleaner which works well, vegan friendly means it’s not harmful to where ever you take the residue once you have cleaned your bits.