Lyman's new ultrasonic cleaner (brief review)

[BrettSass844]

I have noticed quite a few threads recently about different methods of cleaning brass. I just got my Lyman ultrasonic cleaner from Midway on thursday so I figured I would take the time to share a brief review. I am somewhat new to handloading and this is the only method I have used to clean brass so I will no be able to directly compare side by side to brass cleaned in a tumbler. I chose this method after reading Tresmon's handloading posts. I am very happy with the first batch of results. Here is a link to the page with specs from Midway.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/default.aspx?productnumber=225214

Everything came packaged nicely and i was impressed with the quality. Feels very stout and even the small details like the AC power cord are nice.

Lyman claims the basket will hold 900 9mm cases and 200 308 cases.

I used the Hornady one shot cleaner because midway was out of the Lyman solution. It is 32 oz and should last around 40 to 45 cycles depending on how many cases are in the cleaner.
Here are some before pics of the 30-30 cases. All pics were taken with my blackberry, sorry for the image quality.

I ran the max 480 second cycle.

 

[BrettSass844]

Re: Lyman's new ultrasonic cleaner (brief review)

Here are the after pics.

I was impressed to say the least. very happy with the results given the small amount of time involved. The only pain I could see happening is making sure I get all the moisture out if I am trying to get some rounds loaded in a hurry.
This morning I cleaned 200 308 cases. I had to run the cycle 2 times. I would guess that around 150 would be the max for getting a good cleaning using 1 cycle. Here are some after pics of them. Win brass, 45.7 gr of varget.

I am glad I picked this up. Definitely a good addition to my handloading setup. Hope this helps if anyone is interested in this cleaner or any other. Sorry again for the pic quality.

 

[wegner426]

Re: Lyman's new ultrasonic cleaner (brief review)

Does this have a heater function to it? Does it heat the water? If not did you use hot water or cold and did you notice any difference in effectiveness?

 

[nostyta]

Re: Lyman's new ultrasonic cleaner (brief review)

The description at Midway says that it has a heated tank.

Lyman Turbo Sonic Cleaner.

May have to look into getting one myself.
Thanks for the review BrettSass844.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Lyman's new ultrasonic cleaner (brief review)

I have a Harbor Freight Tools ultrasonic, that's the same device. I also have a tumbler.

Small mechanical devices I need to clean - chain saw carborators, etc. - go in the ultrasonic. My cases go in the tumbler. It does all a case needs done, does it without a wet mess, it's works easy and without constant personal attention, my case are ready to use the moment they come out. YMMMV. ??

 

[BrettSass844]

Re: Lyman's new ultrasonic cleaner (brief review)

I have not tried cold water. It took about 20 min for the tank to heat when full. Next cycle I run I will try the cold first and let you know how it does. I have a few case holders that came from hornady's Lever evolution ammo and I did notice that the cases dry a lot more efficiently in something like that. I may call them and see if I can just order a few. I have scoured Midway but didn't see quite what I was looking for. I can put the cases in that holder and 3 min with the blow dryer they are ready to go.

 

[mwroseberry]

Re: Lyman's new ultrasonic cleaner (brief review)

dang you brett... going to have me spending my money before I even have it in my pocket...

 

[KLambert05]

Re: Lyman's new ultrasonic cleaner (brief review)

just an fyi, if you go to harbor freight, they make one for $60, it just doesnt say lyman. I know this because my dad wanted one but didnt want to pay the money for the lyman and just happened to see it in the store and was like wtf...so he bought it, we got it home and its the exact same thing, only half the price.

 

[vman]

Re: Lyman's new ultrasonic cleaner (brief review)

Thats a lot of cases in that basket. How long did they take to clean to that level?

What power is the cleaner? For example, 100W?

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Lyman's new ultrasonic cleaner (brief review)

<span style="font-style: italic">"..if you go to harbor freight, they make one for $60,.."</span>

Find a Harbor Freight Tools 20% off coupon in the Rifleman or many car magazines and you can get it for $48.



<span style="font-style: italic">"What power is the cleaner? For example, 100W?"</span>

I wish I knew. They tell us what the whole thing draws but that includes the heater which I suspect takes most of the power. They give no info on the electronic drivers or transducer itself but it sure ain't much; and even at that it over-heats quickly and has to sit idle for awhile after each few minutes of operation. I don't think that one or any other table top US unit sold to reloaders have much working power.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Lyman's new ultrasonic cleaner (brief review)

I drank the stainless pin media koolaid...haven't used ultrasonic, but am well versed with a dr vibratory Tumbler. The stainless does an amazingly nice job, but it sure is a hassle! As mentioned, it requires a lot of attention. Sure looks purdy though!

 

[memilanuk]

Re: Lyman's new ultrasonic cleaner (brief review)

Its interesting, for sure. I have one of the HF ones that looks a lot like that, and a Bransonic 2510-MTH that is around the same tank capacity but has quite a bit more power, both for the heater and the 2 transducers... and neither would come anywhere near cleaning that many cases that clean in that short of time. I'd tried most of the popular solutions at the time, both home-brew and commercial ultrasonic solvents. I wonder if there is anything special about the newer solvents, or the newer cleaners?

 

[LRS_Ranger]

Re: Lyman's new ultrasonic cleaner (brief review)

You are getting pretty good results in just one cycle.. I have the Hornady cleaner and usually I run 3 or 4 cycles on the longest setting, and that's to get the primer pockets cleaned out. Still doesn't get them spotless, but good enough for me. I wonder if the Lyman one is a bit more powerful?

 

[LRS_Ranger]

Re: Lyman's new ultrasonic cleaner (brief review)

And as a side note, I've noticed that for heavy carbon deposits in the primer pockets, if you run a cycle with all the cases sitting pocket down in the basket, it blasts the pockets clean a bit better.

 

[Joe-n-TX]

Re: Lyman's new ultrasonic cleaner (brief review)

I use the little one from harbor freight. I picked it up for $20.00 with coupon. I can clean 20 cases in 3 cycles of 4 minutes using the 50/50 formula.

 

[RTO]

Re: Lyman's new ultrasonic cleaner (brief review)

I have been tempted to go the stainless route. I have a hornady ultra sonic and use the hornady solution. Are you guys using anything extra in your solution to help clean? I have not been happy with the Hornady/Hornady solution cleaning primer pockets and inside of brass very well. I know some people use a drop of dish soap and few other things. Anyone have any feedback on things that have helped?

 

[svencool]

Re: Lyman's new ultrasonic cleaner (brief review)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kevin05</div><div class="ubbcode-body">just an fyi, if you go to harbor freight, they make one for $60, it just doesnt say lyman. I know this because my dad wanted one but didnt want to pay the money for the lyman and just happened to see it in the store and was like wtf...so he bought it, we got it home and its the exact same thing, only half the price. </div></div>

Yes I picked up one from HF as well and works really well for the money