Does anyone use the Harbor Freight ultrasonic cleaner

[lampern]

for cleaning brass?

Thanks

2.5 Liter Ultrasonic Cleaner

Amazing deals on this 2.5 Liter Ultrasonic Cleaner at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[doomtrpr_z71]

It's not worth the hassle, I don't even use mine anymore.

 

[bullethead]

It's not worth the hassle, I don't even use mine anymore.

Can you give us more insight about why you don't like it?
I was thinking about a sonic cleaner myself.

 

[doomtrpr_z71]

Can you give us more insight about why you don't like it?
I was thinking about a sonic cleaner myself.

It's just slow, it doesn't hold a lot, loading it down reduces it's efficacy, it's a pain to keep restarting it and the corn cob media does a good enough job without needing an area to dry the brass. I'd rather wet tumble if I want new looking brass, I'm not that worried about having the inside of brass clean.

 

[Dub]

Used the vibratory tumblers years ago. Resumed with them.

Then added a rotary wet tumbler using stainless pins.

Both types have their merit.

 

[Jester896]

I had one early on from MidwayUSA that was loud as all get out. Never was happy with the way it cleaned. Kinda like what doomtrpr_z71...whole lot of trouble. Since then I picked up one of the smaller Hornady unit and it had the same issues.

I wouldn't mind having one that got hot for parts cleaning. The Midway one did clean suppressors kinda good.

I guess I'm backwards...I like the inside clean more than the outside. Once I started using SS pins that pretty much wrapped up the cleaning issues I felt I had and didn't mind putting them in the sun or the old dehydrator to dry tem...I do still use a vibratory for a couple of things...moly coating with ceramic media...and cob or walnut depending on the need.

I wouldn't mind having a heated one that held a couple of gallons.

 

[bullethead]

It's just slow, it doesn't hold a lot, loading it down reduces it's efficacy, it's a pain to keep restarting it and the corn cob media does a good enough job without needing an area to dry the brass. I'd rather wet tumble if I want new looking brass, I'm not that worried about having the inside of brass clean.

That is good info, I appreciate it.

 

[WishboneW]

It's just slow, it doesn't hold a lot, loading it down reduces it's efficacy, it's a pain to keep restarting it and the corn cob media does a good enough job without needing an area to dry the brass. I'd rather wet tumble if I want new looking brass, I'm not that worried about having the inside of brass clean.

X2. Same with mine

 

[menhadenman]

Pretty sure it was @Jester896 and another guy on here that made me buy an STM tumbler. It really does a great job through I’ve only used it a couple times so far. The only downside I see is that it’s a hassle to do a small number of shells. I wound up keeping my old cabelas walnut tumbler and use that for small batches.

Good luck-

STM REBEL 17 TUMBLER 110v MOTOR USA - Graf & Sons

This is the 110v Motor Version (USA) All New Heavy Duty Tumbler. This tumbler is comparable to Thumler's Tumbler Model B High Speed. It is the best way to go for clean brass with stainless steel media. The total capacity of this unit is 17 lbs. It comes with a High Speed 3000rpm motor with...

www.grafs.com

 

[Jester896]

I have thought about getting the smaller double tumbler from Harbor Freight and using some of the triangle media I have for small batch stuff.

Dual Drum Rotary Rock Tumbler

Amazing deals on this Rotary Tumbler Dual Drum at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[rosewood]

They work really well for cleaning jewelry. That is all I have ever used mine for. I actually have 2, acquired one in a trade and have never plugged it in. The one I bought at HF is identical to one of the Hornady ones except mine is gray instead of red and black. The Hornady one is/was twice the price.

Rosewood

 

[Big7]

They work really well for cleaning jewelry. That is all I have ever used mine for. I actually have 2, acquired one in a trade and have never plugged it in. The one I bought at HF is identical to one of the Hornady ones except mine is gray instead of red and black. The Hornady one is/was twice the price.

Rosewood

Probably made in the same factory.

 

[bullethead]

I almost bought the HF 6L one today but I went with their Vibratory Case Cleaner instead. My RCBS vcc just hums so the motor is shot and I needed something to replace it with. I had the sonic cleaner on my mind but not looking to add the extra steps. I am used to the walnut media process so I went with familiarity.

 

[rosewood]

Probably made in the same factory.

No doubt.

 

[lampern]

I'd just be using it to clean old dirty brass

Don't care if it comes out shiny

 

[Jester896]

I want the primer pockets clean...with the Ultra Sonic it does soften it up a good bit but it still needs a brush to suit me. I don't feel it does any better than a vibratory. With SS pins you get it all IMO

 

[Dub]

I want the primer pockets clean...with the Ultra Sonic it does soften it up a good bit but it still needs a brush to suit me. I don't feel it does any better than a vibratory. With SS pins you get it all IMO

I can't remember if we have discussed this or not.....but, have you experimented with different sizes & shapes of the stainless pins ?


Was wondering if there is an optimum version.

 

[Jester896]

to my knowledge there are 2 sizes commonly used. I use the smaller ones because they clean the primer pocket better. The only drawback to them is if the flash hole is a little oversized two will get lodged in it. That might be a good sign to put those cases in a different batch. The other drawback I find is sometimes they will get lodged in the neck of a .25-.26 caliber case neck and pins get trapped in the case. STM says throw those pins away...pffft. I keep and awl handy to push the low end back in the case a dump them all out and reuse them all. I might start throwing them away...I have about 5# as back up.

I have some triangle shaped ones that I haven't used...feel like a couple of pounds but haven't weighed it.