Ultrasonic Cleaners for Reel Bearings

Im interested in this as well. Ive been looking online at different options but have yet to pull the trigger. Right now I just have a container with degreaser that I swish around. lol

I do. Heated Eumax. Not made any more, but there are many equivalents out there.

I put bearings to be cleaned in glass test tube/viles with screw-on caps filled either with acetone or simple green…depending on what I’m trying to accomplish. Putting them in the vile(s) isolates em and keeps them safe from damage while in the ultrasonic. Don’t have pics of the viles on my phone, but I’ll add some later. Also..find one with a good hanging rack for use with other parts. Tip: Metal racks are great, just be sure to cover the appendages with shrink wrap or something similar to protect your parts that will be hung from it. Metal on metal…no bueno. 

Simple Green = general lighter cleaning duties. 

Acetone = for deeper cleaning of heavier build-up before re-lube.

I will also use Denatured alcohol on occasion.

@rise You mention equivalent cleaners...can you provide name and models? Do they have to be heated...is it better for them to be heated? Where would you purchase those glass tubes?

Thanks for the information.

Amazon will have many options if you’re a prime member.

Does not have to be heated, but I like it for degreasing, as it’ll help soften thicker lubricants.

Here’s a few, but check reviews. Some are louder than others, which wouldn’t bother me, but may irritate you. 

CREWORKS Ultrasonic Cleaner with Heater Timer, 60W 2L Stainless Steel Jewelry Cleaner for Professional Tool Watch Glasses Retainer Denture Parts Cleaning, 5.9"x5.5"x3.9" Tank Sonic Cavitation Machine https://a.co/d/48u7693

EIWEI 2L Ultrasonic Cleaner Dual-Frequency Professional Digital Stainless Steel Cleaning Machine with Heater Timer for Carburetor,Parts,Circuit Board,Glasses,Denture,Jewelry(2L Plus) https://a.co/d/9n7r3jt

iSonic P4810 Commercial Ultrasonic Cleaner, 2.1Qt/2L, 110V for Brass, Gun Parts, Carburetor Cleaning , white https://a.co/d/5lOLftv

Some vials below. 30-40ml should do as long as they are about an inch in diameter. 

6-Pack of 4.25" inches, Over 1 oz (11 Dram / 40.7 mL) Extra Large Clear Glass Storage Container Sample Cosmetic Herb Spice Specimen Beads Vials w/Black Phenolic Screw on Caps https://a.co/d/dhhnw08

@rise Great information....very helpful. Do you mind if I send you a private message to ask additional questions regarding the process?

Thanks

Posted by: @blksheepfishing

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@rise Great information....very helpful. Do you mind if I send you a private message to ask additional questions regarding the process?

Thanks

Don’t mind at all, but I’d also like to continue this thread so others can refer to it if/as needed. 🙏🏼🤙🏼

@rise I think sharing the questions with others would be great....here goes.

1. After dropping the bearings into the glass tubes how much cleaning product (Simple Green) do you place in the tube...do you fill it to the top or leave a small space?

2. After placing the glass tubes in the wire rack, what do you fill the ultrasonic cleaner with...water and how full?

3. How long do you run the cleaner for typically?

4. Once the bearings have been cleaned with Simple Green do you rinse them off with anything else prior to oiling? 

Thanks

Dang brother Greg, are those some Olde School Abu Ultra-Mag reels?  My buddy had a couple back in the mid 1980s and they were friggin' the cream of the crop then.

@blksheepfishing…outstanding questions.

1) Yes, fill them almost completely. A little air inside will help the vile stand upright, but don’t leave too much in there. 

2) Distilled water in the ultrasonic is best when using the vile, in my experience. But…if that’s not an option, at least wipe/dry the cleaner tank out after use. Helps minimize deposits, etc. Otherwise, fill the tank with simple green diluted, for direct contact/rack/basket cleaning of other parts. Again, wipe clean thoroughly after use. 

3) Depends on how dirty things are and what I’m cleaning. Oil, start at 3-8 minutes, and go longer as needed. Grease, I’ll wipe as much off as possible, first, then…usually run for 5-10 minutes, but honestly, the time needed will vary between different ultrasonics. So..you’ll need to experiment a bit with whichever one you choose. 

4) After the cycle is done, it’s important to remember to us a pick/hook tool, or something you can safely extract the bearings/parts from the vile or tank with, while keeping it upright. This ensures debris will stay in the vile/at bottom and that you’re not pouring the bearings out of the vile or whatever you are cleaning them in and having debris poured back onto the bearings…hope that makes sense.

After removing the bearings, I will usually dab em on a clean paper towel and then use compressed air (can or from my small compressor) to quickly/carefully give a blast, removing any remaining liquid. Denatured alcohol once in a while on stainless bearings as a rinse to clean further, but I’m OCD, and honestly…that is more gravy than a requirement. Let em sit/dry for a bit before re-oiling. 

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions at all. I’m happy to answer if I can add something useful. 

@dragon1 good eye, brother…yes, they are. Mixed into that batch are some of the older gems/sentimental favorites that I’m either cleaning/restoring or will be modifying further. I owned a couple when they were released…damn, I feel old right now…and lost them during those dark years of my life. Good buddy gifted em to me a while back after we were talking about some of of our early favorites. They are in very nice condition and should be a blast to fish when I’m done with em.