New Ultrasonic Cleaner Arrived Today

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

I agonized over which one to buy, how much to spend, etc. and I ended up snagging this one on eBay for $50. I have to say I am VERY impressed with it. I've cleaned a couple of diamond rings rings and a gold chain with it and the results were outstanding. It has a BIG tank and gets some MAJOR sonic action in there. I stuck my finger in it and it felt like it was tickling the bone...weird. I'm using a 50/50 mix of Mister Clean and water, which two different jewelers told me was the "hot ticket" for using in these things.

Anyway, I couldn't be more pleased with it. If anybody is thinking of getting one, this is a nice one. They go for a $59.99 "Buy It Now" price but I waited until the last minute on an ending listing and slammed in a $50 bid and got it for the starting bid of $49.90.

Here are some pics of it:
[attachment 32652 UltraSonic1.jpg]
[attachment 32653 UltraSonic2.jpg]
[attachment 32654 UltraSonic3.jpg]
[attachment 32655 UltraSonic4.jpg]
[attachment 32656 UltraSonic5.jpg]

 

[VaBeachRon]

n/t

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

I haven't ordered the diamond tester yet but I'm leaning toward yours heavily. I liked the Presidium at first and the fact that it tests other gems, which is nice. But as I learned more about these things in researching them, I can't abide by any tester that says to me "Yup...that's a diamond! OR, it COULD be moissanite...NOT SURE! It's one of them two!" That's a problem. And the ones that do both cost a left testical. So I'm thinking spend HALF a testical and get one that does strictly diamonds and does them with 100% accuracy. Still reading up on 'em.

 

[therick]

n/t

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

Yeah, that's something to think about. I guess it could potentially dislodge a stone.

 

[VaBeachRon]

want to see it and stop by and see the MX-300 scales, let me know. I am in Thoroughgood, off Independence Blvd not too far from Pleasure House Rd.

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

I appreciate the info. And I think I'm sold on the tester. As for the MX-300, it's already on the way. In fact, I thought it would be here yesterday but it wasn't.

 

[cubfan64]

That does look like a decent one. I work in a laboratory and we use lots of different ultrasonic cleaners (both similar to yours as well as very powerful probe types) - couple comments:

1. Absolutely be aware that stones can definitely be knocked out of their settings, so make sure you look carefully at any items you cleaned as well as looking in the solution before you dump it down the drain - would be a shame to toss a diamond into the sewar.

2. It looks like there's a plastic "tray" to be used - I would suggest using it. It shouldn't have any impact on how clean your items get, but it will keep your metal rings and stuff from contacting directly to the metal sides inside the cleaner. Ideally you want to keep metal pieces from contacting one another as you could cause scratches. Also keeping things from having direct contact with the metal interior will just prolong it's life.

3. I know it's tempting, but you should keep your fingers out when the sonicator is running. I'm sure this one is designed for jewelry and isn't too high a power, but sonic power can be damaging to tissue and even bones if the power is high enough.

I'm gonna look into getting one of these myself - they have SO MANY uses!!! Cleaning glass items, coins, jewelry, assorted parts etc... I keep waiting for them to decide to toss an older one at work, but it isn't happening and I'm getting impatient

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

Thanks, that's great advice. And I plan to use the basket, even though the tank is stainless steel. I just wanted to capture the sonic action in the pic.

I had an industrial strength one until very recently. It was just such a deal as your talking about...getting rid of one at work. It was use to clean specialized drafting pens, which haven't been used in decades. They were going to toss it so I took it. It was 80 watts and no joke. Worked awesome until it burned up after about the 5th time I used it. It was old and there were some broken pieces of plastic or charred looking glass type material that came out of the inner casing where the guts are. I believe the transducer was cracked. At any rate, the one I have now was the strongest of the non-industrial types that cost hundreds of dollars. Most of the others were 40 watts at most. This one is 60 and it seems to have more "fizz" action than the 80 watter industrial job. I was really impressed when I first turned it on. So I say go on and get you one...the price is right.

Again, thanks for the tips!

 

[Sanddigger]

n/t

 

[Gulf Hunter]

n/t

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

It works wonders on diamond rings, chains, bracelets, etc. Gets into, under, and around everything and gets the sand, muck, silt, etc. out from under ring settings and makes 'em sparkle. Wife had me doing every ring in the house.

 

[thirdbornau]

Great buy and i hope youi have more luck than i had with mine.I paid $99 used it about 8 times,one day i put it away after using it only to find the next time i got it out it didn't work, now i have a brand new ultrasonic cleaner in my cupboard that doesn't work.

Regards Maureen..

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

Sorry to hear THAT! It wasn't the same model was it?

 

[wesbeach]

I have the same model as you Mike and have had it for the last 8 months I guess. It has gotten a lot of use at times to the point it was heating up the water. I would run it on back to back 6 minute runs and it didn't complain. I was using it to clean coins when I was doing land detecting and found a lot of nasty coins. I had put it away for several months and brought it out again when I saw your post and it is still going strong! This seems to be a good and reliable model from what I can see!

 

[protech]

I have spent $20 on the cheap ones & they don't last. They do an ok job but I am defin going to look into the one you have.
Good find!!

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

Yeah, it does get the water heated up...LOT of "action" going on in there!

What do you use in it for a solution? I had two different jewelers tell me to use a 50/50 mix of Mr. Clean and water. I tried it and it works great. One of them said to put a shot of ammonia in there too.

I picked up a bottle of Mr. Clean "Summer Citrus" antibacterial...smells good too.

[attachment 32787 Mr.Clean.jpg]

 

[wesbeach]

I had just been using water. I wasn't too impressed with the cleaning from only water though.

I think I will give the Mr. Clean a try and see how that goes. I think I will even try for the Summer Citrus Antibacterial.

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

I think you'll find it works WAY better than water. And even though it comes out looking real nice, I then take the ring or whatever it is and use some dishwashing liquid (tiny bit) on a medium-soft toothbrush and gently scrub it under some warn tap water. Works wonder on diamond rings and rings with other gem stones. With rings and stuff it's especially important to make sure the underside of the setting is clean so the light can really get into the stones. I did my wife's rings in it and the difference was dramatic...she couldn't get over how they sparkled so much more.

 

[adam in cal]

second pic , I think I see a ''special'' item in that bag .