untrasonic barrel carbon removal

[lewis reynolds]

Sorry is this has been disccused before but was wondering if anyone has done any testing or used ultrasonic cleaning to remove carbon from a rifle barrel (stainless) was thinking of building a longer thin stainless tank with heating element and ultrasonic cleaning unit. Hopefully the hot water and the ultrasonic would remove carbon just worried about possible negative effects.
( pitting )
lewis

[DaveMc]

Lewis - Some guys in Mackay are doing it and report great success.

I have designed, cut out parts and am building one especially designed for the job. Will report back with results in next few weeks. Whilst pitting or other issues should mainly depend on what chemicals you use I intend to do some before and after measurements (on accurate laboratory balance) on barrel stubs etc with a few different chemicals and maybe run them for a very long time.

It has great potential.

[Longranger]

You can use kerosene as an ultrasonic cleaning medium without harm. The usual caveats apply when using flammable liquids though. This should shift carbon ok.

Now to build a 38" long tank...

[Tim L]

Hi guys,
I'm looking into using the barrel as the bath itself. A single transducer with variable frequency attached to the action end.
Not at all sure if I'll be able to get the thing vibrating and won't be testing on a working barrel. Just waiting for the transducer so I can machine up an end cap.
If anyone is about to chuck out a barrel from a Barnard,,,,, leave it dirty

[Josh Cox]

I might be able to help you with that one Tim.

I slipped over on a wet patch on the floor in the QRA store a couple of days ago and my credit card "accidently" went through the EFTPOS machine for exactly the right amount for a new barrel, there was no other solution......................... my wife didn't believe me either.

[lewis reynolds]

Well glad to have so many great minds working on it. My project is still in my head at the moment i hope in the next to weeks to have a designs together and sourcing materials for a build. Dave are you working off a existing design or is it a design of your own? I look forward to your report on the project . If it removes the risk of damage due to abrasives and bronze brush damage were on a winner in my book. i would be more inclined to make it a more frequent part of my cleaning regime if it successful with no ill effects. The enclosed barrel idea is exiting well beyond my skills but i look forward to the result.
lew

[RDavies]

I might be able to help you with that one Tim.

I slipped over on a wet patch on the floor in the QRA store a couple of days ago and my credit card "accidently" went through the EFTPOS machine for exactly the right amount for a new barrel, there was no other solution......................... my wife didn't believe me either.

Josh, you lying mongrel, even I hadn't thought of that excuse.
Lewis, I had a good chat to Tim L (Lawrence) about this and his advice is good. It might cost more than you can tell your fiancé about, but might work.

[Josh Cox]

[lewis reynolds]

rod me and her have an understanding when it comes to the costs involved in this sport. Ask me no questions and i tell you no lies.

[DaveMc]

OK,
If you get a rectangular tank built big enough to hold a barrel (or a barreled action) and drive enough power you will need 12-24 transducers according to a Chinese company that builds them. It will cost around $1500 before freight even for the cheap import. There is one from Lyman (110v) at sinclairs but I have been warned it is not powerful enough.

Either way you are driving a lot of unnecessary power and a large build and freight.

I have sourced some larger (100W) transducers and 240v driver/controllers and am building two prototypes as we speak. Materials are cut and about to be rolled. my intention is similar to Tims but am going to form a cone with 150mm diameter vibrating plate on the bottom leading up to a 1.5 inch pipe that the barrel sits in vertically. All the vibrating water will be directed into bore (barrel sits on a tap washer in baffle plate with single hole in middle). I will let you all know the results and may even sell kits or units??? Cost should be reduced sufficiently (perhaps 10 fold!) that won't result in a divorce if the missus finds out. And you can always use the line she uses on me ("Honey - I bought it on special so look at all the money I am saving!")

First design is going to be half barrel length as I feel we will need to spend a lot longer on throat area than muzzle end.

ps re the kerosene - yes good idea but don't know if I would really like to recommend it. I have also sourced some actuall commercial ultrasonic cleaning solutions. One carbon remover from the aeronautical industry specifically designed to be non-corrosive. Looking at the msds sheet (and smelling) I would guess it is similar to a lot of the newer barrel carbon cleaners available now but much cheaper. If it all works I will buy it in in bulk and dispense in smaller (2 litre) bottles.

[aaronraad]

I have sourced some larger (100W) transducers and 240v driver/controllers and am building two prototypes as we speak. Materials are cut and about to be rolled. my intention is similar to Tims but am going to form a cone with 150mm diameter vibrating plate on the bottom leading up to a 1.5 inch pipe that the barrel sits in vertically. All the vibrating water will be directed into bore (barrel sits on a tap washer in baffle plate with single hole in middle). I will let you all know the results and may even sell kits or units??? Cost should be reduced sufficiently (perhaps 10 fold!) that won't result in a divorce if the missus finds out. And you can always use the line she uses on me ("Honey - I bought it on special so look at all the money I am saving!")

First design is going to be half barrel length as I feel we will need to spend a lot longer on throat area than muzzle end.

Hi DaveMc, are you going with a piezo or magnetic based transducer set-up?

[DaveMc]

Aaron - I went with a piezo unit due to price and functionality. In particular the frequency ranges we might wish to explore. Higher frequencies cause smaller bubbles and may well be what we need. I will start at 40KHz

Quote from:
http://www.ctgclean.com/blog/technology ... lications/

"Typical ultrasonic frequencies range from 20 to 200 kHz. Due to physical size limitations of the magnetostrictive transducer (frequency is dependent on the length of the transducer with higher frequency requiring a shorter and shorter length) it is inherently limited to operate at frequencies below approximately 30 kHz. Piezoelectric transducers are not frequency limited within this range. The manufacturer can choose the proper piezoelectric design and drive it at a selected output frequency over the entire ultrasonic range by utilizing harmonic multiples of the primary resonant frequency. This makes piezoelectric transducers a more versatile choice from the standpoint of frequencies available"

[lewis reynolds]

Dave after reading your post i think its may be easier for us mortals to wait until you have completed the prototype then just pay you large sums of money for ultrasonic cleaning kit for dummies to arrive in the mail.
lew

[Cameron Mc]

I might be able to help you with that one Tim.

I slipped over on a wet patch on the floor in the QRA store a couple of days ago and my credit card "accidently" went through the EFTPOS machine for exactly the right amount for a new barrel, there was no other solution......................... my wife didn't believe me either.

Bloody hell Josh. You have definately been around Marty too long. Now you need to find out how he gets his missus to buy all the goodies with her card.
A great stratergy

Cam

[johnk]

Some time, you need to ask Ross Atherton about his "Christmas present".