As the title says, I'm looking for an affordable ultrasonic to clean carbs - I would love to be able to put in a rack of carbs, but if that is cost prohibitive I could split them. This is my first project bike so I prefer to be economical here. I considered Chem-Dip but I can't find a place to buy it and frankly would prefer not to have to deal with chemicals. Any recommendations - locally would be great. I've seen people talking about cheap units at HF and hope to find the same at Princess Auto but they seem to be much more expensive.
Affordable ultrasonic cleaner for carb cleaning ?
- Thread starter NuggyBuggy
- Start date
Interesting ! Can a palm sander really generate significant ultrasonic vibrations ? I would have thought the vibrations would be of too low frequency, but maybe good enough to do the job anyways.
The only palm sanders I have are pretty expensive (Festool), but I guess I could buy a cheap palm sander for the purpose...
The only palm sanders I have are pretty expensive (Festool), but I guess I could buy a cheap palm sander for the purpose...
How long did you leave it running/shaking?
matt365
Well-known member
I'd screw the bottom of the bucket to the palm sander.
Probably a few hours. Its just to get the liquids moving a bit. Not my idea, but it seems to work.
Pine-sol eats fuel deposits pretty well.
If it were me, I'd just disassemble the carbs and put each one in a tupperware container with 50/50 boiling water/pinesol bath and see how it goes.
Dunking the whole rack might make the exterior look alright, but the O.P. has to take 'em apart.
The rubber gaskets will swell if left in that concoction for too long. I'd check every couple hours.
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I havent measured one but I doubt a palm sander releases much ultrasonic energy. That doesnt mean it doesnt work but is probably somewhere between passive soaking and good ultrasonic cleaning. In the interest in saving many hundreds on an ultrasound tank, the bucket with cell phone vibrators or a cheap palm sander may be a good approach.
GVH
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Don't know what you think affordable is but 10L reduced to $145 Chathem kent area
This is the cheapest (new) ultrasonic unit I found with a tank size that could (just) fit my rack of carbs: VEVOR Ultrasonic Cleaner 10L Digital Cleaning Equipment Industry Heater w/Timer | eBay.
But, I am thinking I ought to just split the carbs and buy a smaller unit, or build a DIY unit.
But, I am thinking I ought to just split the carbs and buy a smaller unit, or build a DIY unit.
I'd definitely buy that, if it weren't nearly 3-h away, each way, from me !Log into Facebook
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Don't know what you think affordable is but 10L reduced to $145 Chathem kent area
Are we dealing with a 2 carb or 4 carb rack? I think you need bigger than 10l for a 4 carb rack. A quick search shows ~22L is needed for a 4 carb rack.
I purchased this one from HF a few years ago, $55 - $60 with a coupon. Also purchased their cleaning powder.
Unit works, I usually use a heated solution cycle and then run several cycles with it. You have to remember this is a low cost low power U/S cleaner and adjust your expectations accordingly.
www.harborfreight.com
www.harborfreight.com
Unit works, I usually use a heated solution cycle and then run several cycles with it. You have to remember this is a low cost low power U/S cleaner and adjust your expectations accordingly.
2.5 Liter Ultrasonic Cleaner
Amazing deals on this 2.5 Liter Ultrasonic Cleaner at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
6 Oz. Ultrasonic Cleaning Powder
Amazing deals on this 6 Oz Ultrasonic Cleaning Powder at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
4 carbs... I took a quick measurement yesterday and I think it was about 13" x 5 x 6 or close to it. I think it would JUST fit into the one I linked to, but maybe not in the basket. Don't know if the parts need to sit in the basket or if that's just a convenience.
Thanks @bull958 . Can you recommend a dealer who stocks the stuff, or do I need to have one order it in ?
Biggest reason I am trying to avoid dips is that I am doing this work at my cottage where we are on a septic. I'm worried about rinsing the stuff off and having the residue run off into the lake and/or getting into the water table.
An ultrasonic would avoid much of that problem, but if an U/S really can't do the job like a dip....
I purchased this one from HF a few years ago, $55 - $60 with a coupon. Also purchased their cleaning powder.
Unit works, I usually use a heated solution cycle and then run several cycles with it. You have to remember this is a low cost low power U/S cleaner and adjust your expectations accordingly.
2.5 Liter Ultrasonic Cleaner
Amazing deals on this 2.5 Liter Ultrasonic Cleaner at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
6 Oz. Ultrasonic Cleaning Powder
Amazing deals on this 6 Oz Ultrasonic Cleaning Powder at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
That looks just like the one they're selling at PA, but for $160 ! https://www.princessauto.com/en/2-1-2-litre-ultrasonic-parts-cleaner/product/PA0008905523
At that price, I'd be inclined to take a chance on a bigger unit like the one I linked to, or a much cheaper unit like this one: 2L 200w Ultrasonic Cleaner Stainless Steel Industry Heated Heater w/Timer | eBay
Parts should not be touching the sides or bottom of the U/S cleaner, they need to be suspended in the solution. If the basket can't be used you need to find a way to suspend the part from the top or maybe use some kind of rubber spacer they can sit on.
Thank you @ReSTored . What happens if the parts touch the sides of the tank - is there a risk to the parts, a risk to the parts of the U/S, or other ?
Also, should I assume that tank dimensions are quoted exclusive of the basket ?
When I was in school we would toss scalpels etc right into a small U/S with no basket, but those pieces were light and we were just dumb students.
You get better results if the part is not touching the side. Depending on what part you're trying to clean it may or may not be damaged by being in contact with the side of the U/S. I don't know how tank dimensions are measured, some ads give both specs.
Prior to the cheap HF unit I have now the only experience I have had is buying large medical grade U/S cleaners and washers used in hospital sterile processing departments where surgical instruments are decontaminated after use, U/S cleaning and washed, repacked and then sterilized. The U/S cleaners used were anywhere from 5 - 8 cubic ft. and not cheap. Everything in the U/S was in a basket.
