Ultrasonic verses tumbler?

[doninva]

I have a tumbler and it works OK but was wondering if an ultrasonic cleaner would work better and be less expensive. Thanks, Don

[Ranch13]

The ultrasonic I have cleans the cases real nice , but does not put the shine on them like the tumbler does.

[Ranger99]

never had a u/s, but i understand they
work good. all mine are vibratory and
i've not had any problems.
for me, i couldn't justify the expense
of the changeover.

[Ranch13]

Forgot to mention the ultrasonic does not run cheap. You need the solution (whether the factory made stuff or some home brew) and it actually works best with distilled water..

[STUMPJMPR]

I am using a Harbor Freight version now.  Years ago I used a rock polisher with dawn soap and water.  It actually worked better than the ultrasonic.  With the Hornady cleaner the brass come out a dull yellow, but they are spotless.

[Ranger99]

well. . .the main thing in case cleaning
is to remove combustion residue and
corrosion. having cases shine like new
pennies isn't important to accuracy.
i don't always clean cases every loading.

[LaOtto222]

I have not used an ultra sonic for cases. I have worked at a place that used an Ultrasonic cleaner for aluminum parts after they were run trough a lathe. They had to be perfectly clean with no residue what so ever. The parts were small motor housings for computer hard drives that were turned out of bar stock on lathes in house and the air gauged for precise diameters. I have no doubt that they will do a good job if you use the correct media. I have been tempted by them, but I have resisted. Simply because what I have works and want to spend my money on other things right now. I have a tumbler and a vibrating cleaner. I now have Stainless Steel medial for my tumbler that runs wet with Lemi-Shine. It seems to work well. It was a little pricey to start with, but you have little expense after the inital lay out. You can buy the whole kit, but I already had the tumbler so i just bought the media and got the Lemi-Shine at the local Walmart.

Good Luck and Good Shooting

[quickdtoo]

I used to used to use Lemi-shine in the dishwasher, found out it's just citric acid with fragrance and coloring, bulk citric acid can be bought much cheaper and works just as good, 10lbs on ebay for $25 shipped priority flat rate, they offer it in smaller bags as well.

Tim

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CITRIC-ACID-100-PURE-10-LBS-FOOD-GRADE-LARGE-GRANULES-5-STAR-SERVICE-/200873681631?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec50122df

[LaOtto222]

I meant that the Stainless Steel media was a little pricey, I did not think the Lemi-Shine was expensive. It is about 2X what you said, but still $4.50 for 12 oz is something I can live with and does about 20 cleanings, maybe a little more. Your cost would be worth while if you used enough of it.

Good Luck and Good Shooting

[quickdtoo]

5lbs(80oz) CA is about the same price as 36oz (three 12oz) Lemi-shines, that's some more $$ saved for more shootin stuff.....executive officer economics, ya know! 

Tim

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CITRIC-ACID-100-PURE-5-LB-FOOD-GRADE-NON-GMO-SHIPS-SAME-DAY-5-STAR-SERVICE-/200805628325?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec0f2b9a5

[Ranch13]

There are some credible reports starting to come around about the stainless steel pins eating case mouths , especially on annealed bigbore brass.
I do like the ceramic media in a thumlers model B.

[Bubber]

I use ultrasonic cleaners at work. Primarily we are cleaning small brass and copper pieces that have been precision machined. All parts must be super cleaned so all of our cleaners have custom made caps that will hold beakers upright partially submerging them in filtered water. The beakers contain either Methanol or Acetone depending on the intended use of the parts. It is truly amazing how clean parts come out after only minutes.
Luckly for me my boss is also a gun guy(One cleaner actually says hornady on it) and actually encourages me to use company tools for personal use after hours. I had to stay late one friday night so dumped 100rds of .45 brass in beakers of acetone and let it run for 20 min. I have been with the outfit for almost a year now. My vibratory tumbler hasn't been plugged in since.
 
Im not saying I could justify the cost of an ultrasonic cleaner but they do a fantastic job.