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best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner
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looking for something under $100 preferable under $70. a cleaner that can fit a cassette as I'm mainly looking to clean my chains and cassettes.
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [mickison] [ In reply to ]
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get some an old coffee tin or clean paint bucket, an old sander, and some jewelry cleaner. Not my image but there you go:



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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [mickison] [ In reply to ]
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I have this one from amazon. It works pretty well, I do have to change the water and degreaser a few times to get the parts completely clean though. It can fit an 11-28 cassette and chain no problem.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EM5BYGC/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [AlyraD] [ In reply to ]
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That is awesome. I'm tempted to throw my Harbor Freight Ultrasonic in the trash and make this.

My Blog - http://leegoocrap.blogspot.com
Last edited by: Morelock: Mar 11, 19 11:52
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [mickison] [ In reply to ]
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mickison wrote:
looking for something under $100 preferable under $70. a cleaner that can fit a cassette as I'm mainly looking to clean my chains and cassettes.

I really like the one I have. It was $79 when I bought, now $99. I can do a couple of chains at once. Think I have packed about 3 of them in at once and 1 cassette at a time. Careful of the jewelry cleaners, they are way smaller than they look so keep in mind the capacity and you need it deep enough for the cassette. I have the 1.5 liter fwiw. Not really a traditional inexpensive one but it has made back its money quick. Even used it to clean some paint brushes last weekend.


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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [Thomas Gerlach] [ In reply to ]
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Thomas Gerlach wrote:
I really like the one I have. It was $79 when I bought, now $99. I can do a couple of chains at once. Think I have packed about 3 of them in at once and 1 cassette at a time. Careful of the jewelry cleaners, they are way smaller than they look so keep in mind the capacity and you need it deep enough for the cassette. I have the 1.5 liter fwiw. Not really a traditional inexpensive one but it has made back its money quick. Even used it to clean some paint brushes last weekend.

I have this exact same one as well. I think 11-34 is about the biggest cassette I have been able to get in there (without the basket). It's been runs dozens and dozens of times over the last year. I got zapped a few times turning the unit off at the back with wet fingers, so I recommend not doing that. Most sensible people probably know better.
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [mickison] [ In reply to ]
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I've been using this for several years now, I think I paid less than $50 for it.
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [Morelock] [ In reply to ]
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Oh? I've been meaning to go grab the HF one. With the 20% off it's cheap and I thought regarded as decent enough (on par with HF?)
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [JASpencer] [ In reply to ]
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yeah I bought the tiny one a long time ago from HF, last year bought the big one. I've been happy with it for the money, no complaints.

My Blog - http://leegoocrap.blogspot.com
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [mickison] [ In reply to ]
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I’ve been using this one and have been happy.

Industrial Grade 160 Watts 2.5 Liters Digital Heated Ultrasonic Cleaner https://www.amazon.com/..._api_i_XERHCbNFTXD8P
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [blueapplepaste] [ In reply to ]
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That’s nice and large for that price
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [mickison] [ In reply to ]
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Or, you can consider what I did after I bought an ultrasonic cleaner to clean my regular-lube drivetrain -

Go with a WAXED chain, and never ever need to clean your drivetrain, ever again! It's really amazing after you've been used to all those grease stains and chain tattoos - never again!

(Note that you will have to put up with more regular chain waxing compared to lube, and it's prob not the best approach if you ride in rain or wet conditions regularly.)

My US cleaner is literally collecting dust now, glad I didn't pay too much for it!
Last edited by: lightheir: Mar 11, 19 13:19
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [lightheir] [ In reply to ]
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lightheir wrote:
Or, you can consider what I did after I bought an ultrasonic cleaner to clean my regular-lube drivetrain -

Go with a WAXED chain, and never ever need to clean your drivetrain, ever again! It's really amazing after you've been used to all those grease stains and chain tattoos - never again!

(Note that you will have to put up with more regular chain waxing compared to lube, and it's prob not the best approach if you ride in rain or wet conditions regularly.)

My US cleaner is literally collecting dust now, glad I didn't pay too much for it!

This.
I cannot fathom why anybody uses conventional lubes, such a time waster.
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [lyrrad] [ In reply to ]
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Quote:
it's prob not the best approach if you ride in rain or wet conditions regularly

Well imagine riding in Alabama, where we get an average of 56" of rain per year.

I'm closer to the feathered end of the spear than the point.
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [David_Tris] [ In reply to ]
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I actually think it is better for wet rides.
All chains need attention after a wet ride.
Pop it in the fryer while you rinse/wipe the bike down, refit.

You could wax your chain after every ride and it would still be nowhere near the time taken to clean your dirty drive train just once in it's life.
Not to mention how less dirty the rest of your bike gets when there is not a oily thing weeping all over it.
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [lightheir] [ In reply to ]
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I made the switch too and haven’t looked back!!

But I still use the cleaner from time to time for my wife’s jewelry or gun cleaning.

But for those who aren’t using wax lube, it’s a solid choice. Worked great for me before I started waxing.
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [lyrrad] [ In reply to ]
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lyrrad wrote:
I cannot fathom why anybody uses conventional lubes, such a time waster.


Really? I wipe my chain down 2x with rubbing alcohol drenched on a rag to clean it which takes maybe a minute, then I let that dry for a minute or so before applying a single coat of Squirt wax. I leave that on for about 5 minutes and wipe off the excess.

So my total wrenching time is what 90 seconds?

-------------------
Madison photographer Timothy Hughes | Instagram
Last edited by: Timtek: Mar 11, 19 16:32
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [Timtek] [ In reply to ]
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Timtek wrote:
lyrrad wrote:
I cannot fathom why anybody uses conventional lubes, such a time waster.


Really? I wipe my chain down 2x with rubbing alcohol drenched on a rag to clean it which takes maybe a minute, then I let that dry for a minute or so before applying a single coat of Squirt wax. I leave that on for about 5 minutes and wipe off the excess.

So my total wrenching time is what 90 seconds?

I think he's comparing to if you cleaned a lubed chain to similar/equal extent to that of a waxed chain, in which case would involve removing the chain completely (the chain cleaning machine utterly fails in this regard compared to the cleanliness of a waxed chain), sequentially degreasing it (which will take 2-3 steps of degreasing to get it truly free of black dirt), then relubing it. And then you still have to factor in degreasing disposal time at some point.

Sure, you can argue that your 90sec of cleaning is plenty good for riding no problems, and then someone else (like me) would come along and said we didn't even lube or clean our chain for 3 years and it worked totally fine for racing and training for us, so I was saving even more time than that! Now I've come to love a spot-free drivetrain, especially when I wrench my bike where it's an absolute godsend.
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [lightheir] [ In reply to ]
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Definitely understand that a clean chain is all relative, but in my book spot-free has as much bearing on drivetrain efficiency as the eyeball test has on aerodynamics.

-------------------
Madison photographer Timothy Hughes | Instagram
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [Timtek] [ In reply to ]
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Timtek wrote:
Definitely understand that a clean chain is all relative, but in my book spot-free has as much bearing on drivetrain efficiency as the eyeball test has on aerodynamics.

Yes, I def agree with you. I'm under no illusion that my spic n span no-tattoo drivetrain gives me any wattage reduction. I'd say literally zero watts gained even compared to a completely blackened, well used chain covered in lube.

In terms of practical cleanliness though, it's a monster difference. We've all had items of (pricey) clothing that inadvertently got chain tattoos on them when least expected - this absolutely never happens with a waxed chain. And once you start messing with your bike, or even something as trivial as swapping the bike on/off the Kickr, it's awesome - I just grab the chain full out with my hand, no problemo, and don't even have to clean or wipe my hand. Def can't do that even with a recently-cleaned traditional lubed chain without some degreaser on hand!
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [lightheir] [ In reply to ]
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Waxing is a time saver now? I don’t know how long you guys are spending cleaning drivetrains with conventional lube, but it is apparently waaay to long.

And if you’re worried about getting a chain tattoo I have a simple solution. Learn to ride your bike and stop putting your leg into the chainring!
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [commendatore] [ In reply to ]
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Lol. I stopped getting chain tattoos 25 years ago. That doesn't mean that getting black shit on my fingers when I need to futz with the chain Isn't still a pain in the ass: removing the rear wheel, dropped chains, jammed derailleur pulley, etc.

Waxing may not be a time saver, but it isn't exactly a time suck, either. I spend a lot more time just looking at it.
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [Thomas Gerlach] [ In reply to ]
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Thomas Gerlach wrote:
mickison wrote:
looking for something under $100 preferable under $70. a cleaner that can fit a cassette as I'm mainly looking to clean my chains and cassettes.

I really like the one I have. It was $79 when I bought, now $99. I can do a couple of chains at once. Think I have packed about 3 of them in at once and 1 cassette at a time. Careful of the jewelry cleaners, they are way smaller than they look so keep in mind the capacity and you need it deep enough for the cassette. I have the 1.5 liter fwiw. Not really a traditional inexpensive one but it has made back its money quick. Even used it to clean some paint brushes last weekend.

That’s the 1.5L one. The 2L one is 79$. Bigger and cheaper?
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [lightheir] [ In reply to ]
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lightheir wrote:
Timtek wrote:
lyrrad wrote:
I cannot fathom why anybody uses conventional lubes, such a time waster.


Really? I wipe my chain down 2x with rubbing alcohol drenched on a rag to clean it which takes maybe a minute, then I let that dry for a minute or so before applying a single coat of Squirt wax. I leave that on for about 5 minutes and wipe off the excess.

So my total wrenching time is what 90 seconds?


I think he's comparing to if you cleaned a lubed chain to similar/equal extent to that of a waxed chain, in which case would involve removing the chain completely (the chain cleaning machine utterly fails in this regard compared to the cleanliness of a waxed chain), sequentially degreasing it (which will take 2-3 steps of degreasing to get it truly free of black dirt), then relubing it. And then you still have to factor in degreasing disposal time at some point.

Sure, you can argue that your 90sec of cleaning is plenty good for riding no problems, and then someone else (like me) would come along and said we didn't even lube or clean our chain for 3 years and it worked totally fine for racing and training for us, so I was saving even more time than that! Now I've come to love a spot-free drivetrain, especially when I wrench my bike where it's an absolute godsend.


You ARE replacing the pin with a new one every time you remove it right? I've seen pro mechanics say (on video actually) that you should replace the pin if pushed out as it does damage the integrity of the strength at that point--although I personally never had any issues when I've just pushed it back in--maybe I was lucky & it didn't break...
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Re: best inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner [Rocky M] [ In reply to ]
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Wipperman quick links. I can take my chain off with no hands.
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