Ultrasonic Case Cleaning Oz Style

[IanP]

I have been using this device for nearly 2 years now and have not had one problem with its operation!

I now use a Bodum Spare Glass (Coffee Plunger) in Size 2. This glass is thicker walled but works just as well as the smaller Bodum sizes. One beaker this size full of cases is all I put into the cleaners tank.

I still am using 50:50 white vinegar to water ratio but now add one drop of "eco STORE" Dishwash Liquid (plant based) to the solution. This product is available from Woolworths and is a NZ made product.

Now using the larger glass and more cases I run the ultrasonic cleaner for 10-15 minutes with the cleaner solution and 5 minutes with the neutralising solution.

I also now oven dry the cases in a tray with paper towel on the bottom for 15 minutes at 60-70C on fan forced setting. Works great!

The price has gone up at Jaycar from $299 to $399 but its still a bargain for a 100W ultrasonic cleaner.

One Warning: Dont be tempted to use the ultrasonic cleaner without the mesh basket. I would not use the device with corrosive chemicals directly in the tank. I always use a glass beaker to prevent corrosion and abrasion of the stainless steel tank. The mesh cage supports the glass container off the vibrating transducers which are directly attached to the bottom off the tank.

[LeoL]

Do you have a break in between your cycles or do you dial up 3 cycles and start. I am a bit cautious and have a short break. Must try the product you mentioned. I am putting a drop of dish wash in as well. All the best for Xmas.

[IanP]

Do you have a break in between your cycles or do you dial up 3 cycles and start. I am a bit cautious and have a short break. Must try the product you mentioned. I am putting a drop of dish wash in as well. All the best for Xmas.

No break needed as this machine is well constructed and well ventilated. A 10-15 minute cycle is absolutely nothing to worry about!

Ian

[LeoL]

Can't afford an ultrasonic unit? Try this as it works. Put deprimed cases upright into beaker. Fill beaker with vinegar so cases are covered completely. Put into microwave and set on high for 1 minute. Let cases set for 5/10 minutes then rinse thoroughly several times.

[CodeBasher]

I am so going to give that a try..

[LeoL]

Saw this as another cheap method though yet to try it. Coleman lantern fuel; cover the cases for 60 seconds, then dry for 3 hours.Reuse the fuel by straining the fuel through a paper towel.

[AlanF]

Here's what I do to clean cases :








Seriously, I have never used any automated case cleaning method. I've never been convinced that its needed. I rub case lube off with a micro-fibre cloth, clean outside of necks with fine steel wool, and clean inside necks with nylon brush. The nylon brush is mounted pointing upwards on a bench, and gets rid of any brass shavings etc. that some processes put inside the case.

[LeoL]

Before I deprime especially if you have dirty cases I put 1 tablespoon of citric acid in 1.5 litre of hot water. Soak till clean. Swish them around occasionally. Dump and rinse in cold water. This also stops any dirty cases scoring the inside of your dies. It gets the cases very clean.

[BATattack]

Before I deprime especially if you have dirty cases I put 1 tablespoon of citric acid in 1.5 litre of hot water. Soak till clean. Swish them around occasionally. Dump and rinse in cold water. This also stops any dirty cases scoring the inside of your dies. It gets the cases very clean.

where do you get the citric acid from? does it come in a powderd form or liquid?

i had the first play with my new ultrasonic cleaner lastnight and what a noise it makes!! didnt think it would be so loud. sounds like the high frequency unit on an old welder we had at trade school!!

i used two jam jars with about 12 6.5x47 3x fired cases in each. i mixed 1 tea spoon or cream of tartar and a few drops of washing liquid per jar.

the cases took around 20min and the primer pockets came out clean although there is still some slight disscolouration an the necks.

i think the washing liquid neutralised the cream of tartar so ill try the ian "inspector gadget" pavey recipe tonight

[IanP]

Hi Adam,
If you look at the pictures of unit I use, you will see an adhesive backed rubber gasket (draft eliminator from mitre 10) under the top of the SS mesh basket. Much less noise when basket is rubber mounted!

Jam jars may have thick walls and this will attenuate (weaken) the ultrasonic waves from cleaning as well as they will in thin walled beakers.

50:50 white vinegar to water with a shot of the detergent listed in earlier thread and "Bob's your uncle".

I use water with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to neutralise for 5 minutes after cleaning in vinegar solution. Water by itself will do the job but the baking soda gives the cases a slippery smooth feel that eases the bullets into the neck when seating.

Dont forget to oven dry the cases, this stops any discolouration (corrosion) from occuring.

Enjoy!

IanP

[BATattack]

i tryed the vinegar and detergent and it didnt seem to work as well as the cream of tartar.? have you tryed the cream of tartar ian? i did the 50/50 mix but cases were 3x fired. it took me a total of 40min.

have you checked the ph of the vinegar AND your detergent mixture? the detergent will probably neutralise the vinegar.

yeah ill get some foam gasket material from work tomorow and run it around the top edge. to me the noise is just like chewing sand!!

i agree the jars are probably too thick but ill grab a coffe plunger glass when i head to town next.

so still some trial and error to get it rite but the bicarb rinse off sounds good. i had been thinking about the neck tension issue and that might solve the problem.

[IanP]

Adam,

I haven't used Cream of Tarter (tartaric acid) only white vinegar (acetic acid). Both of these acids are organic plant based and enviro friendly.

I use Eco Store Dishwashing Detergent which is a plant based organic product but with a neutral ph.

I clean my cases after every firing and the detergent (ph neutral or mild) seems to help in the process and not in anyway neutralise the acid. I used to clean (for over 12 months) without detergent but I found the eco store stuff to work well otherwise I wouldn't be using.

I now have been using it (ultrasonic cleaner) for approx 3 years and its part of my reloading system. I dont use dirty cases to reload new ammo and I get pretty consistent results.

To each their own but for me the vinegar saves disolving powder (cream of tarter) into solution and means my mix is always the same. My advice is to use whatever works for you because a clean case in my opinion is far better than a case with many firings of carbon build up inside it!

IanP

[BATattack]

yep i think the key might be in the eco store liquid plunger glasses and eco store are on the shopping list!

ps i ordered the CED M2 with the IR light screens tuesday but the chronograph was on backorder so might be after x mas. thanks for the help!

[LeoL]

I am now trying citric acid[ Teaspoon] with a some tartar[dash] in water and it really is cleaning the inside of cases.

[IanP]

Its been a while since I put up this thread and I was wondering if anyone is using the ultrasonic cleaning solutions that come with Hornady and Lyman kits?

I'm still using the 50:50, vinegar:water mix without any complaints. I oven dry the cases these days at approx 60C for 20 minutes and dont get any discolouration on the cases. My cases still look like new brass after 12 cleans in the vinegar solution. I use a larger coffee glass these days its a Bodum size 4 spare coffee glass.

What are the Lyman/Hornady ultrasonic cleaning solutions like and how good are they compared to vinegar? How much do they cost?

Ian