Turbo Ultrasonic case cleaning

[sail32]

Turbo Sonic Case Cleaner

I bought the commercial version of Lyman's Turbo Sonic Cleaner and it does not seem to be cleaning properly.

With the machine only full of water between the minimum and maximum marks, the turbulence is 3 small pea size boils above the central circular indention.

I understand the whole surface of the water should look like it is boiling, is this correct ?

Has anybody used one to clean black powder cartridges ?

Any input on the use of Lyman's Turbo Sonic Cleaner, or similiar sonic cleaners, for cleaning smokeless or black powder cartridges, would be appreciated.

Thanks,
sail32

[Mako]

I understand the whole surface of the water should look like it is boiling, is this correct ?

Actually no ...

Are the parts off of the bottom of the tank?  They need to be in a basket or suspended above the bottom.  If they are on the bottom it will hamper the transducers ability to put energy into the fluid. You also have to match the energy introduced  with the mass.  What adjustments do you have?  A lot of small tanks don't have any control other than heat and time, they are geared towards specific masses like small jewelry parts.

Plain water doesn't cavitate well, a surfactant helps with the speed the "bubbles" (actually voids)  collapse which is what causes your cleaning action.  It's not actually air or a gas you're seeing it is actually a vacuum pocket was created that collapses.

What is the capacity of the tank, the volume of your solution and the weight of the brass you are putting in.  I almost forgot, is the tank heated?

I can tell you it will only remove particulate like dirt or in some cases oils unless you have some sort of a solution that has a chemical action.  It just makes the chemical reaction more efficient and helps dislodge things that may have been loosened from surfaces.

I've never tried it with BP brass.  I have used it a lot to clean oils off of parts or to even clean parts after acid etches with chemically machined components to remove any residue or bits of burrs that may have been been separated from the part.  It is very effective with detergents in removing oils and other organics from components, that's the primary industrial use

~Mako

[sail32]

Thanks Mako,

I followed all the direction, used a basket, used a cleaner, used the heater, longer time, and got no noticeable results.

I think the sonic cleaner is not up to the job, either it is faulty or underpowered for what I am trying to do.

People on the Ccanadiangunnutz.com site had mixed results from sonic cleaners.

Think this sonic cleaner will go back and I'll do some more research.

It's a pity, the concept looked so good compared to my old method.

Sail32

[Paladin UK]

I tried a Sonic cleaner once ................................................................................................
Paladin (what thought the Sonic cleaner was pants ) UK