Reloading: Sound Advice

Case cleaning technology has evolved from the traditional vibratory tumbler and polishing media to modern ultrasonic’s. The latter potentially offers a cleaner, easier and more effective means of removing the accumulated crud from brass, especially from the hard to access internal surfaces. Well, the makers claim that they do. Our trial starts here.

CLEANING WITH SOUND

Ultrasonic’s work by using sound to vibrate a liquid medium at an extremely high frequency in order to produce a turbulent fl ow of microscopic bubbles. The bubbles implode against the surface of the contents in a process called cavitation. A frequency of 42kHz (42,000 cycles per second) is most common. Cleaning fl uids can be added to the basic liquid medium (usually water, ideally distilled), in order to enhance the process.

Some machines also contain a heating element to further speed and improve the process. Capacities vary from less than a third of a litre to many tens of litres. Baths are almost always made from stainless steel as this is the component that not only transmits the sound vibration frequency but also resists any potential chemical attack from the medium or resulting residues. Units mostly include a fi ne mesh or plastic tray for suspending the components in the bath solution. Almost all of these mains - powered devices are fi tted with a timer.

WELL ESTABLISHED IN THE USA

Ultrasonic’s are not limited to cleaning metal components and will work on a wide range of materials providing that they are waterproof and NOT porous. Prices range from about £45 to thousands, with those most suited to our needs typically costing £90 - £450. I started with three candidates, an unheated 1.3 litre Gunson 77107 from Machine Mart (web sales only) at £96, a heated 2.5 litre JPL Ultra 8050D-H unit from Maplins at £100 and an RCBS 3.0 litre heated model (borrowed outside the UK and requiring a 110V a.c., 60 Hz supply) costing €220 (Euros). It’s worth noting that the American handloading market is well served with Ultrasonic cleaners. There are ranges of models from Hornady, Frankford Arsenal, RCBS and Lyman amongst others. Indeed, the JPL Ultra 8050D-H from Maplins was a very deliberate choice as it is identical to Lyman’s Turbo Sonic 2500; so much for badge engineering… they’re all built in China!

GUNSON

The Gunson was fi rst and was surprised by how small the tank actually was. Securely packed, it looked solid in construction and came with fairly brief instructions. Used with cold water fi lled to the appropriate level, my batch of de-primed .44-40 cases did not seem to change their appearance during the suggested 180 second cycle. I drained the tank and replenished with hot water at about 50°C and a few drops of dishwasher liquid. The results after 3 mins were none too impressive. After a further 15 minutes the cases were reasonably free from crud. The brass was still rather dull in appearance but this was to be expected – ultrasonic’s only clean, they do not polish. To restore their ‘as-new’ sheen they still need to be tumbled in polishing medium. Being honest, I was rather underwhelmed by the process and results.

AN AMERICAN ABROAD

The ‘American Spec’ RCBS Ultrasonic Cleaner was already unpacked, on the bench and plumbed to a waste pipe. I soon discovered that my idea of a decent cycle time was wide of the mark. Heat, chemical, distilled water and a 30 minute cycle were the order of the day. Instructions indicated that the basket must be used in conjunction with heat and their proprietary Case Cleaner Solution. Whilst Lyman claim that up to 900 x 9mm cases can be fi tted into their 2.5 litre unit and cleaned in less than 15 minutes, RCBS were much more conservative! Making it clear that better, faster and more regular cleaning would be achieved if smaller batches were used.

I had not taken any .44-40 brass abroad but my host had a stock of de-primed .45 ACP. They were dirty but a 30 minute cycle (the longest on the timer) at 140°F, followed by a thorough rinse in saw them restored to a healthy appearance. Each cycle was interrupted at about 15 mins, the lid was lifted and the basket agitated in order to reposition the cases.  Further batches were cleaned in the same heated solution, the colour getting darker with the dirt from each use. Four batches of 250 cases were cleaned before the solution was drained via the discharge pipe and a new mix added. Cases were spread on to an old towel and dried in the airing cupboard.

JPL ULTRA 8050D-H, THE LYMAN CLONE

Armed with considerable wisdom from my RCBS experience I bought both distilled water and the JPL recommended metal cleaner for use with my JPL Ultra 8050D-H. The water was pre heated until it was at ‘hot tap’ temperature and added to the tank together with 100cc’s of cleaner solution. The TC button was pushed, engaging the tank heater in order to keep the water temp to about 65º C. The unit was then set for the max duration of 480 secs (8 minutes). At the end of the cycle the basket was lifted, the contents shaken and shuffl ed and the process run for another 8 minutes. The contents was removed, rinsed and dried. In accordance with the suppliers instructions the machine was then ‘rested’ for 15 minutes. Two more batches were processed in the same manner using the original water solution but with an additional top-up of 20cc’s of cleaner for each batch. Soiled liquid was then drained and the tank rinsed and dried. Job done. My attitude to ultrasonic cleaning had been changed.

COST BENEFIT?

The old rule applies; if you only shoot a few hundred rounds per year then this is something of a luxury. However, for a volume ammo burner then the £100 or so for the cleaner together with the necessary consumable costs will soon be reduced to almost nothing. A half litre tub of cleaner costs about a tenner and the distilled water about two quid a litre, equating to a total unit cost of less than 1p per case. Sod all, really!

Since I started planning this review I’ve been advised by Lyman and Hornady that they now supply some of their models wired for 220v a.c. You’ve now run out of excuses. Socks and smellies or an ultrasonic cleaner for Xmas?