Anyone use smaller ultrasonic cleaners?

[ryan]

Thinking of getting a smaller ultrasonic cleaner to use for cleaning parts instead of a parts washer. Going to be cleaning and rebuilding some of the smaller LS parts (like fuel injectors) and it seems like it might be reasonably handy and cost effective ($100 for a smaller one at HF).

I've never used them outside of a lab type situation, so I'm having trouble wrapping my head around it and whether it would be useful. I don't want the size and the mess of a traditional parts washer.

 

[Shran]

This is the one I have - it's way bigger than the ones from Harbor Freight and priced right I think:

https://www.amazon.com/CO-Z-Ultrasonic-Cleaning-Cavitation-Professional/dp/B08LG429PC?tag=959media-20

I'm really happy with it. I use 75% Pinalen/25% water. I use it almost exclusively for carburetors and it works GREAT for that. Nasty greasy stuff like wheel bearings go in the normal parts washer. I don't think I'd even try doing those in the ultrasonic... unless they were in a separate container of solvent, floating in the ultrasonic... they would make a mess of it REAL fast. I have to drain & refill my normal parts washer about once a year and it always has at least 1/2" of crap on the bottom.

This is a good video on how to clean stuff in a separate container that floats in the ultrasonic bath. It probably would not be ideal for big items but little stuff, no prob.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I have the 10L version of that and it's great, sometimes I wish I went with the 15L but it's better than the 6L that HFT has, my boss has that size and it's limiting.

I agree with Shran above, for the most part I just use water and some Dawn to break the surface tension but I happened upon some powdered ultrasonic solvent stuff so I'm trying that...

 

[ryan]

I have the 10L version of that and it's great, sometimes I wish I went with the 15L but it's better than the 6L that HFT has, my boss has that size and it's limiting.

I agree with Shran above, for the most part I just use water and some Dawn to break the surface tension but I happened upon some powdered ultrasonic solvent stuff so I'm trying that...

What does he end up not being able to do in it? I'm so hesitant to get a large one because of the cost. But I can also see this being the kind of thing you find more and more uses for the more you use it

 

[fastpakr]

I’ve had one from harbor freight for probably twenty years or more. It works great, but it’s definitely a little on the small side.

 

[Shran]

What does he end up not being able to do in it? I'm so hesitant to get a large one because of the cost. But I can also see this being the kind of thing you find more and more uses for the more you use it

In my case depth is an annoying limitation. I can just barely fit a disassembled 2bbl carb in it. You'd think 15L would be way more than enough but it gets cramped. I had a little one before that I never used because it barely fit a motorcycle carb, fully submerged. I would like to have the 30L version but the cost is prohibitive for how much I use it.

Get a heated one regardless of size. 30 minutes heated @ 175* in mine is the same as several hours cold.