Redneck Sonic Cleaner

[Al8236]

What do you do when you need a cleaner and don't want to drive the 1 1/2 hours to town?
Get out the hot glue gun, a small tub, and an old hair clippers!
https://www.facebook.com/Almeyer8236...0571126001592/[video]

[DIYer]

Thanks Al8236! We've added your Vibratory Cleaner to our Cleaning category,
as well as to your builder page: Al8236's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Vibratory Cleaner by Al8236

tags: cleaner

[omniwatch]

What do you do when you need a cleaner and don't want to drive the 1 1/2 hours to town?
Get out the hot glue gun, a small tub, and an old hair clippers!
https://www.facebook.com/Almeyer8236...0571126001592/[video]

What did you use as a solvent in the bucket?

[Al8236]

What did you use as a solvent in the bucket?

For cleaning the dial indicator I used mineral spirits for about 1/2 hour.

[Clockguy]

For cleaning the dial indicator I used mineral spirits for about 1/2 hour.

Having done antique clock repair for years, I was using an Ultra-sonic cleaning machine which not only cleaned each and every clock part but left the brass parts with a like new shine/patina to them. It would not eradicate the tarnish or rust stain from any steel shafts or anything made of mild steel, but it was great for having brass looking like the parts were brand spanking new out of the box!

My question to you is, did the sonic treatment completely remove all of the tarnish, fingerprints, and dirt/oil from the brass on that dial indicator? We had a number of solutions available to the clock repair trade which were made to standards which would not harm any of the parts involved in the cleaning. There were also solutions which made cleaning mild steel parts such as shafts, levers, and pins and screws easier to clean completely.

I would hate to find out, after all these years, that I could have done the same job I spent over $1500.00 for in specialized equipment and solvents with a plastic pan and an old hair clippers! But, I fear that, if this answer isn't available, I won't get another good night's sleep wondering .........

[Al8236]

Clockguy,
It did seem to remove all oils, fingerprints and smut. It didn't however make the brass look brand new as in it didn't remove the patina, although I think with the right solvent it would have.
I do remember my father using a off the shelf solvent to dip brass in and it came out looking like new and I do not remember what it was. Probably something deemed toxic and no longer on the market since it worked!

[Crusty]

Use a small amount of Lemishine (from the grocery store) in the tub. Makes old brass look like factory new.

[mlochala]

I've seen this done with a small, orbital sander as well. Not sure if it does AS GOOD as an ultrasonic cleaner, particularly on a microscopic level, but it's my understanding that for the money, it's an excellent alternative to an expensive ultrasonic cleaner.