Free 186 More Best Homemade Tools eBook:  
Get 2,000+ tool plans, full site access, and more.

User Tag List

Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Redneck Sonic Cleaner

  1. #1
    Supporting Member Al8236's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Kendall Washington
    Posts
    112
    Thanks
    55
    Thanked 140 Times in 43 Posts

    Al8236's Tools

    Redneck Sonic Cleaner

    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]
    Redneck Sonic Cleaner-screenshot_2019-05-08-al-meyer.png

    186 More Best Homemade Tools eBook
    Last edited by Al8236; May 8, 2019 at 11:40 AM.
    From the time you're born till' you ride in a hearse, there's nothing so bad it couldn't be worse!

  2. The Following 15 Users Say Thank You to Al8236 For This Useful Post:

    12L14 (Jul 31, 2019), Andyt (May 9, 2019), baja (Jun 6, 2019), Clockguy (Jun 6, 2019), cmarlow (Jul 22, 2021), EnginePaul (May 12, 2019), Jon (May 8, 2019), odd one (Feb 10, 2023), Paul Jones (May 13, 2019), Priemsy (May 12, 2019), Raytonian (May 29, 2019), rlm98253 (Feb 10, 2023), Scotsman Hosie (May 8, 2019), Seedtick (May 8, 2019), wolfpaak (Jul 22, 2021)

  3. #2
    Content Editor
    Supporting Member
    DIYer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    3,056
    Thanks
    772
    Thanked 1,850 Times in 1,652 Posts


    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:




    2000 Tool Plans

  4. #3
    omniwatch's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Posts
    5
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Al8236 View Post
    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]
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Screenshot_2019-05-08 Al Meyer.png 
Views:	3212 
Size:	354.6 KB 
ID:	29638
    What did you use as a solvent in the bucket?

  5. #4
    Supporting Member Al8236's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Kendall Washington
    Posts
    112
    Thanks
    55
    Thanked 140 Times in 43 Posts

    Al8236's Tools
    Quote Originally Posted by omniwatch View Post
    What did you use as a solvent in the bucket?
    For cleaning the dial indicator I used mineral spirits for about 1/2 hour.
    From the time you're born till' you ride in a hearse, there's nothing so bad it couldn't be worse!

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to Al8236 For This Useful Post:

    Scotsman Hosie (Jun 8, 2019)

  7. #5
    Supporting Member Clockguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Posts
    87
    Thanks
    88
    Thanked 37 Times in 27 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Al8236 View Post
    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 .........

  8. #6
    Supporting Member Al8236's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Kendall Washington
    Posts
    112
    Thanks
    55
    Thanked 140 Times in 43 Posts

    Al8236's Tools
    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!
    From the time you're born till' you ride in a hearse, there's nothing so bad it couldn't be worse!

  9. #7
    Supporting Member Crusty's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Dry Gulch, Tx
    Posts
    749
    Thanks
    220
    Thanked 845 Times in 324 Posts

    Crusty's Tools
    Use a small amount of Lemishine (from the grocery store) in the tub. Makes old brass look like factory new.
    If you can't make it precise make it adjustable.

  10. #8
    mlochala's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    503
    Thanks
    70
    Thanked 145 Times in 103 Posts

    mlochala's Tools
    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.



    186 More Best Homemade Tools eBook

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •