Ultrasonic cleaner

I saw a ultrasonic cleaner in the sharper image catalog, anyone know if that stuff really works on cleaning? Any realworld tried experience?

I use an ultrasonic cleaner for Fountain pen nibs, earrings, rings, etc. Works extremely well. I make my own solution.
I'm not familiar with the Sharper image.
Tom

I worked in a pawn shop for two years, you can imagine the jewelry we bought. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif
We had a professional cleaner and it worked wonders. It got stuff and crud out you could never get with a toothbrush. We also made our own cleaning solution. A little windex, a little degreaser, a lot of water.
I have never tried a cheap plastic consumer model.

FOLLOWUP: anyone recommend a cheaper or differ brand than sharper image?

Here is one I plan on getting for a gift. Seems to be about the same capacity as Sharper Image, but less expensive. I don't have any first hand experience with it yet.

The Sharper Image ones I've seen are low-powered, and with small tanks, so you can't fit things in there like eyeglasses and similar sized items. As in everything, you get what you pay for in ultrasonic cleaners, and there's no substitute for a modest sized powerful commercial version that will really blast the crud out of the tiniest of recesses in a surprisingly short amount of time.

Okay..how about a reference or a link of a company that has the commercial versions

Personally I have the elmasonic from ELMA, a more professional than other one presented here.
Elmasonic
Description

Hope this help /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Go to a surplus store, you can find some nice small industrial models in stainless for cheap.

Thanks for the info..i'll look around ebay. Just looking for something basic to clean keys, watches, hand tools and stuff I carry around.

I used Ultrasonic a lot. Yes, it is invaluable for cleaning lots of stuff.

When my good "professional model" burned out early last year, and I couldn't afford to actually replace it, I bought one of these to "see me through" until I could afford a good one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3305

I wasn't expecting much out of it, and it was smaller than I wanted, but it ended up working better than I expected.

If you are doing small enough stuff and don't need heavy duty, continuous use, it ought to do. They are regularly on sale for $29.95 each, and I have bought a couple of more since the first (which is still working just fine.)

Here is a little tip: for multi-purpose cleaning solvent you can use "Formula 409" or "Fantastic" or save even more money and buy the 1 gallon generic "cleaner-degreaser" at Costco. It is a LOT cheaper than the special ultrasonic cleaner solutions, and works as well if not better.

Silviron,

Thanks for the link. It looks exactly like the one I was about to buy from Hammmacher Schlemmer. You just saved me at least ten bucks.

OOPS, Chopper- Sorry that you didn't wait a couple of days
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

They are on sale again for $29.99. Use item # 03305-1HDA if anyone else wants to order one.

Silviron,
Doing taxes prevented me from ordering yet. I tried the part number you provided in the "find item number" search. It keeps taking me back to the full price page with the different part number. What am I doing wrong?

Beats me- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif I got the number out of the new print catalog that came in today. It used to work that way on the website, but maybe they changed it.

Might be easier to just call the order in. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif