Thanks Barry. Too bad your not close enough for me to try some of my dirty parts!
Jim Merz Big Sur CA
On Tue, Jul 27, 2010 at 4:40 PM, pbbikes <pbbikes@gmail.com> wrote:
> hi again two minutes later.
>
>
> I think now that ive found some time out from biz and home projects that i
> should report back on something that pertains to the on topic restorer.
>
> A couple months ago I asked the list what they thought about an ultrasonic
> cleaner ?
>
> The little suckers are pricey but much cleaner than a solvent tank.
>
> Well I bought one on ebay from a company in NY , made in china its called
> a
> Kendall and I got the 9 liter model for $468
>
> Quite few people got back to and said about having a small one for cleaning
> bits with good results but I wanted one to clean the piles of cranks and
> chainrings, so I took a leap and figured if theyer as good as peopel say ,
> it will pay for itself in time gained and less cancer cells
>
> The machine fits a full chainset, its I believe offhand 500watts for
> heating
> and the ehating elelment is the real important stuff.
>
> I used it first with dish liquid, then got a simple of simple green which
> is
> a little better and am yet to try some citrus(the sellers said it ok, its
> stainless)
>
> the first couple batches clened out derailleurs in one 55 minute cycle at
> 65
> degrees celcius f?
>
> This thing cleaned the spots that you need the tiniest brushes to get to
> and
> no brushing was necessary
>
> I have lot of sun here so the stuff drys rapidly on the deck to avoid
> rust-some pieces need to be pulled apart and everything needs some grease
> or
> phil oil
>
> Obviously certain things like hubs cant just be tossed in but i put some
> really nasty stuff in there.
>
> Unfortunately 2 days later the heater stopped, its not the top model but
> its
> $400 plus dollars so I was a little bummed
>
> The seller asked if I would be willing to install a new heating element and
> I said ok, a few days later -new heating element. I got one good batch and
> it stopped heating again
>
> The best part of the machine is the heating , the gunk gets soft and you
> can
> pull the part out and wipe it real quick and toss it back in.
>
> So I was done, i decided I wanted another brand, but that I definitely
> wanted another ultrasonic. Afetr speaking with the seller he sent me a
> prepaid return label and agreed to refund my loot if it happened again but
> assured me i just got the lemon.
>
> Well, i got the new one yesterday and did 2 cycles of really dirty cranks
> (I
> can fit in 2 full crank sets and a few smaller items together.
>
> This one was twice as powerfull as the last - So i believe the first one
> was
> a lemon.
>
> As long as it keeps working I couldnt recommend it enough for anyone who
> plays with lots of vinatge gear, its supposed to work well at pulling off
> buffing compound too.
>
> When i used to do a lot of 70+ mile rides outside of new york, I would
> clean
> my bike up after everylong ride to keep it all lubed and clean. this thing
> would kill for dropping your cassette into and maybe a few other bits.
>
>
> If anyone is entertaining the idea of getting one of these i'd definately
> answer any questions-although im a novice myself. Or the other way
> around
> if youve been using one and have some good tips , i'd love it
>
> I just realized i wrote a bunch of wandering sentences, i live far enough
> from civilization that the communication skills , especially writing need
> some buffing.
>
> happy hot weather rdiing
>
>
>
> --
> Barry Scott
> Mount shasta CA USA