ultrsonic cleaner

[pickpick]

I've been using an RCBS vibrating case cleaner for a few years. But, lately I've been wondering if I would be better of with an ultrsonic cleaner to CLEAN my brass in, instead of SHINING it. How many of y'all are running ultrasonic cleaners? Thanks for any info.

 

[gcoulsey]

Re: ultrsonic cleaner

I tumble every time, and sonic them every 4-5 firings.

 

[Rarebreed93]

Re: ultrsonic cleaner

I tumbled mine for years, but I now use the tumbler for applying Molly to the bullets and have gone with Ultrasonic for all cleaning.
The brass is spotless inside and out.

 

[uafgrad]

Re: ultrsonic cleaner

Pistol goes in the Dillon
Rifle go in the US cleaner

I will try the stainless Steel here in the near future

 

[427Cobra]

Re: ultrsonic cleaner

SS media is the way to go IMHO, bigger batches and less work than US, and the brass is just as clean, the only down side is a little peening of the case lips, and no it does not work harden the brass, I checked with a RockWell Hardness tester before and after.

 

[woodspider]

Re: ultrsonic cleaner

Hornady ultrtasonic cleaner 99 buck cleans them inside and out like new no work at all. Get one.

 

[Gunner5607]

Re: ultrsonic cleaner

Harbour Freight has the same machine for $69.99

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Re: ultrsonic cleaner

By no means an expert opinion, but I've been tumbling to clean the brass from the range. More as a way to remove anything picked up from the ground. Then using the US to remove lube from sizing. Gets lube off and cleans primer pockets and doesn't leave media in the flash hole. I'm using the Harbor Freight Cleaner with Lemishine and Dawn for 18 to 24 minutes and 150 to 250 cases, just dumped in and stirred every 6 minute cycle.

 

[Rotortuner]

Re: ultrsonic cleaner

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">SS media is the way to go IMHO, bigger batches and less work than US, and the brass is just as clean, the only down side is a little peening of the case lips, and no it does not work harden the brass, I checked with a RockWell Hardness tester before and after. </div></div>

I have noticed the peened necks, I have a lot of brass that is only fired through a bolt gun. I want to keep my sharp chamfered edge that the giraud puts on, do you think the US would make sense for this situation? Im trying to decide if the 70-100 bux for an US cleaner makes sense for situations like this. The SS media cant be beat for range pickup brass that is really dirty, but its annoying having to use the hand vld tool on once fired lapua that was pretty clean from the get go out of my bolt guns.

CJG

 

[427Cobra]

Re: ultrsonic cleaner

Buy a Giraud Trimmer instead, then trimming and chamferring will be no big deal, 300 cases in less than 30 minutes are the norm for me now so the peening is no big deal.

 

[clinto]

Re: ultrsonic cleaner

Ive started using an ultrasonic cleaner and think it works great.

 

[Rotortuner]

Re: ultrsonic cleaner

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Buy a Giraud Trimmer instead, then trimming and chamferring will be no big deal, 300 cases in less than 30 minutes are the norm for me now so the peening is no big deal. </div></div>

I have the giraud but my brass just seems to get shorter and shorter, because it basically needs to get shortened a couple thousands just to get the vld chamfer and when you do that everytime you tumble them it ends up really short after 2-3 firings. You dont experience this?

CJG

 

[vman]

Re: ultrsonic cleaner

I have an ultrasonic cleaner.

Its not bad and I dont mind it.

I do like to use the best methods around, so i might eventually try and move on to stainless media, but for the time being ultrasonic is doing well.

I give it the thumbs up

 

[jonaddis84]

Re: ultrsonic cleaner

Im not sure how SS media is any BETTER than US cleaning? If anything I would say US cleaning is technically superior to the SS media. The only downfall to US is if you have a small unit (

) it can take more work, but no more actual time.

One batch of 35 308 cases takes me a total of 25min usually, and it is absolutely spotless. Sure its not polished like the SS, but this isnt a beauty contest, the pockets are clean and the inside is totally clean.

Both need to be dried afterward.

Am I correct in saying that SS media takes about 4-5hrs per cycle, and 150ish cases per cycle right? Then dont you need to rinse them off also?

Just wanted to point some things out to the OP

 

[pickpick]

Re: ultrsonic cleaner

Thanks guys for all the opinions. I think I may try an US, so I can clean them after resizing and depriming.

 

[vman]

Re: ultrsonic cleaner

Well I guess the advantage of SS over US is that you can use just plain water if you want. Hell you could even use distilled water.

Ultimately the most awesome setup would be a Stainless-tumbler setup with a Bench Source annealing machine. You tumble the brass for a few hours, remove the cases and rinse them off, flick off any excess water and then run the cases thru the annealing machine.

You would anneal the necks and almost completely dry the cases in one step.

This is what I aim to do in the future.

 

[Known]

Re: ultrsonic cleaner

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rotortuner</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Buy a Giraud Trimmer instead, then trimming and chamferring will be no big deal, 300 cases in less than 30 minutes are the norm for me now so the peening is no big deal. </div></div>

I have the giraud but my brass just seems to get shorter and shorter, because it basically needs to get shortened a couple thousands just to get the vld chamfer and when you do that everytime you tumble them it ends up really short after 2-3 firings. You dont experience this?

CJG </div></div>

My concern exactly. One benefit of the SS method is how smooth it gets the outside of the case. When using my Sinclair runout tool, the needle doesn't jump from minor imperfections.

I've been using walnut media in a Dillon vibratory cleaner for years, but it doesn't get things clean unless you load the media up with Flitz or the equivalent. And then you end up adding mineral spirits, etc. to keep the dust down. I can only imagine there must be some residue left on the cases.

I can't see myself going back to walnut except to remove sizing lube. Ultrasonic may be my next move.