best ultrasonic cleaner

[David64]

been shopping for a ultrasonic cleaner alot of choices out there ...which one gives the best bang for the buck sharpertek seems like the best but im a noob so what do i know....happy new year >>>>>Dave

 

[Kevin W.]

Dave, in my opinion.There are better things to buy than a us.When first starting out.Many people clean clocks by hand, and it works well.
Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[David64]

well i got my first beginner book and it said somthing about an ultrasonic cleaner ....as far as hand cleaning ,the clock itself would be taken totally apart the reassembled? i have a big ben i was going to try this on...ill take pics and let you know how it goes

 

[Kevin W.]

David, a Big Ben is not a good clock to learn this hobby on.Books say lots of things i would recommend something better than a us.Its your money i guess.
Are you wishing to learn clock repair or just collect a few clocks?

 

[Scottie-TX]

L&R seems to be quite popular and named often when this subject comes up, but reading between the lines if I may - do I read incorrectly that you're looking to buy a U.S. cleaner so you need not dismantle the movement to clean it?

 

[Mike Phelan]

as far as hand cleaning ,the clock itself would be taken totally apart the reassembled?

Just the same as it would if cleaning ultrasonically!

The ony reason for usig the latter is if you are doing it professionally where time is money, and cleaning a dozen clocks a week.

 

[MQ32shooter]

David, I've been soaking mine for 25 years and in most cases, works just fine. But I would like to have an ultrasonic cause they are cool!

 

[lpbp]

If you are going to buy an ultra-sonic, buy the biggest you can afford, you won't regret it. I bought an Ulna, a top of the line cleaner, and am very pleased with it, they also have a factory service rep. in the U.S., if that ever becomes necessary.

 

[Andy Dervan]

Hello David,

Scottie was politely hinting that cleaning a movement by just tossing it into ultrasonic tank is probably not the best procedure. It is better to disassemble the movement first before running it through an ultrasonic cleaner. Afterwards do some additional cleaning to insure all pivot holes are clean.

Caution - if movement is smelly or feels greasy it has probably been sprayed with WD-40 and if you toss it into a water based ultrasonic cleaner tank it will likely gum up the tank literally and you will have to dump it out and re-load with fresh solution.

Pre-clean with mineral spirits to clean off all the WD-40 gunk - not gasoline because gasoline contains a variety of additives that could react with movement or cleaning solution.

Andy

 

[shutterbug]

If you are going to buy an ultra-sonic, buy the biggest you can afford, you won't regret it. I bought an Ulna, a top of the line cleaner, and am very pleased with it, they also have a factory service rep. in the U.S., if that ever becomes necessary.

I'll add: If you can't afford at least a one gallon size, save your money until you can! Nothing worse than throwing your money at a product that you'll outgrow quickly! Ask me how I know ..... times two