Lyman Turbosonics: https://www.lymanproducts.com/turbonsonics
| Ultrasonic cleaners have come a long way in the last few years and these new Turbosonics are cutting edge. After a 10 minute cycle you can clean 1300 9mm cases, or 4 pistol frames, and the Lyman solutions have a rust inhibitor in them so you can leave them on steel. All of their concentrated formulas are formulated to clean both the insides and outsides of your cases and metal parts. The coolest thing about this big model is that it has a drain, so you don’t have to dump it out manually, and that makes for an easy to use machine that will be welcome on your bench. |
By it’s nature, ultrasonics are not optimal for cleaning in holes or down long tubes(i.e. barrels). The cavitation works best on outside surfaces. I have a small commercial ultrasonic cleaner and found the cleaning potential varied with the cleaning solution and its temperature. What I found to work better than the ultrasonic and vibratory cleaners is stainless steel media and a tumbler. That, tap water, a cap of Dawn dishwashing liquid and a cap of Lemi-Shine in a tumbler and your brass (primer pockets, outsides & insides) will be pristine. Also it doesn’t matter if you’re tumbling new fired brass or 2-year old range brass, it comes out shinier than new. Google it, “SS Media”, there are videos and articles aplenty online.
I bought last year’s model specifically to clean out the primer pockets of brass I use in a competition revolver. The gun has a reduced power hammer spring, so the primers have to seat properly. The bottom line is it does not work as advertised. It will clean the inside and outside of brass, but it falls down on primer pockets. To be clear, I only use this brass for one revolver. I bought the brass new (.45 ACP) and I de-cap, then clean the primer pockets after each firing. The Turbosonic would NOT completely clean the primer pockets of this brass and that is after de-capping the brass, and preheating new solution mixed with distilled water. Some came clean, but not most of them. If I have to examine each piece of brass and clean the pockets that are still dirty, I may as well just clean them all by hand, which is what I do. This cleaner works fine, as long as you are not concerned about the primer pockets.
With regard to cleaning barrels, I tried cleaning a dirty 1911 barrel (no lead, only carbon). It cleaned the grease and mild carbon deposits, but would not completely clean out the grooves of the barrel. I had to use a bronze brush and Hoppe’s to finish the job. Again, if I have to use a brush and cleaning solution to finish the job, why bother with the Turbo? IMHO, it is faster to clean a barrel by hand.
P.S. I lent the cleaner and solution to a friend and he came to the same conclusion.
I’d love to have the 6000 with a drain. This sounds great for cleaning guns and gun parts. I might use the small one for brass after I deprime and before I tumble to polish. I try not to work the brass before it is completely clean to protect my dies, etc.
I’ve been using a small automotive parts washer using kerosine for years to clean my pistols and it works fine with a little elbow grease. The kerosine is a little greasy which is good and self lubricating. I blow the guns dry with an air compressor, wipe off, lube and reassemble. This sounds much easier. I was a team shooter in the Marines and had access to a large ultrasonic cleaner for aircraft engine parts. It was great. I could do my service rifle and pistols after a match or long practice with only minor tear down and just wipe off and lube before turning in to the armory. I had a regular job aside from the team and it saved me hours of cleaning.
They are very reasonable in cost today compared to when I started using them 10 years ago. Then I had to look at dental office cast offs or defense industry surplus on ebay. If these units hold up for the price, it’s a good set up. Solutions vary and there are numerous posts out there on the web describing how solutions work with new verses “range brass”. suffice it to say you can get old range brass to clean as a whistle with clean primer pockets, no carbon residue and bright shiny brass if you use the right cleaning product. You just have to do the research.
They are not too expensive – about $100 on Amazon
http://amzn.to/z9HwTl
Ultrasonic cleaners work ok for just shot new cases- but when you use range brass or brass that has turned color and you want to clean it! Its best to use Walnut hull or corn cob media in a tumbler if you want it spotless and shinny !
Lyman should take the media off the shelf behind her!! You don’t have to drain a tumbler! Why does Lyman still make a tumbler- if ultrasonic is so good? May work at rusting the insides of your guns if you don’t apply lube to the inside parts by taking the gun apart! Lisen to the (Graphic Designer )sales person! I use a parts washer with rem oil or break free and dry it off and I’m done with it and don’t worry about rust!
What’s wrong with choices?
The solution has rust inhibitors to keep any rust from forming.
Not all of us can afford a ultrasonic cleaner.
Nice looking woman!
Very interesting. Will it remove lead and copper deposits from barrels?
There are solutions specifically for that kind of stuff I think, but I don’t know how well they work.