Hi,
Is an ultrasonic cleaner useful for a model railroader?
Thanks,
Colin
I use one to clean freight car wheels, does an OK job, does not make any miracles.
I agree but I have had some good luck cleaning gears and small detail pieces.
Joe
I haven’t noticed ads for them in the hobby magazines lately, but years ago ultrasonic cleaners were marketed to model railroaders, particularly as an aid to painting brass models. IIRC, ultrasonic cleaners were used to strip old paint, prep models (cleaning, etching metal) for painting, and for cleaning of mechanical parts. One fellow reported he used an ultrasonic cleaner to restore a bottle of jelled Floquil paint to usability.
There were also reports of models being “shaken apart” by ultrasonic cleaners. I’ve never heard of such a report being substantiated, although someone suggested the real cause of this problem was poorly soldered models.
Were there concerns about the solvents used with ultrasonic cleaners?
I do recall that ultrasonic cleaners also tended to be pricey.
Yes,they are wonderful to use to prep models before painting, as they access all the small nooks that we don´t get access to otherwise.
I haven´t experienced any loose parts in all models and other parts I have cleanedin my U.C.
I use an alcohol based cleaner in mine and it isn´t too bad to work with…
I bought mine from the local hospital´s lab as they was upgrading. I paid $ 30, wich I think is very OK (it´s a loooong tub! almost 15").
I use it all the time to clean my Airbrushes,I wouldn´t want to be without it.
They probably have some use, but in the 50+ years I’ve been in this hobby I’ve never had the need for one. It’s not on my list of things to get, and I would certainly not use any flammable solvents with it.
Wayne
I have 3 of them, all L&R machines, 2 T-28’s and a T-14, originally purchased for stripping the paint off of brass locos and then to prep them for paint. Later when I got into resoting old clocks they came i very handy for cleaning the works.
I have had mine for over 30 years now and wouldn’t consider my workshop complete without at least one of them. They can also be used to clean rust as well as grease, oils, and old paint off of almost anything.
I use household “ammonia” as a cleaner and then use L&R products for a rinse.
While they aren’t cheap they’re much like a vertical milling machine, once you have one you’ll never want to be without one again.
Mark
There are lots of them available now that use only water and they cost under $40. They’re not huge. Big enough to clean CD’s.
Here are a few:
Yes. I don’t have one, but if one were to turn up for under $50 I’d jump at it. They are out standing for cleaning brass models for painting. They will take grease and crud off of anything that will fit into them. Plain old water and laundry detergent (Tide) is strong enough to remove paint. I never used a flammable solvent in them, never needed to. The Tide would cut darn near anything.
On the other hand, I have gotten by for years without one.
Although the quality varies from brand to brand, generally speaking - ultrasonic cleaners are only as effective or as good as the cleaning solutions used in the cleaning process. The concentrations of those cleaning solutions is also very important.
Tom