When I was a kid I developed an interest in firearms and target shooting. After target practice using a nearby cliff as a backstop it was time to clean and lubricate my weapon for the next go-round.
Over the years my collection grew to include a vasriety of antique and collector pistols, many of which required repair and all requiring a thorough cleaning and lubricating. When members in my shooting club discovered that I repaired weapons they asked if I could service theirs. Each repair can take time, so I looked into a way of “automating” the cleaning and lubricating process.
A friend at the local state police barracks said they used an ultrasonic cleaner to clean and lubricate all of their weapons. I looked into this and found the perfect solution in an HCS 200 ultrasonic cleaner offered by Tovatech. Attractively priced it is designed for the recreational shooter, hobbyist and collector. Ultrasonic gun cleaning and lubricating together take about 20 minutes while I focus on mechanical repairs for others in the service lineup.
How it Works
The ultrasonic gun cleaner solution shipped with the unit is diluted and poured into the cleaning tank. Minus wood, ivory or plastic hand grips, disassembled pistols are put into the supplied basket then immersed in the solution. On the bottom of the unit are things called transducers that emit high frequency sonic energy that you can’t hear. This energy creates billions of microscopic bubbles in the cleaning tank that implode when they come in contact with the parts. In a process called cavitation the implosion creates shock waves that literally blast dirt and grease from the parts, penetrating the smallest crevices and screw holes.
After approximately 7 – 10 minutes the parts are removed, rinsed thoroughly under running water and drained for about a minute. I have a small air compressor to remove any remaining water, after which parts are transferred to the lubricating pan filled with the supplied lubricating solution. This is placed into the cleaning tank in contact with the cleaning fluid. Following another 7 – 10 minute ultrasonic cavitation cycle parts are removed and allowed to air dry.
And by the way, my costs are recouped from what my customers call “quite reasonable repair and cleaning charges.”
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Has your hobby turned into a full or part-time job where cleaning and repair are part of the action? How do you clean parts?
Tags: ultrasonic
