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I've read alot about different ultrasonic cleaners but it seems the ones I see frequently recommended I can't get in the US.
I had a couple saved on amazon that people had recommended awhile ago in other threads but they aren't available any more.

I'm looking to use it to clean my airbrush and maybe clean/strip figures. I might throw my wife's jewely in it too.

So any recommendations on what to buy (links would be awesome) or what I should be looking for spec wise?

Harbor Freight sells them..

Be careful with sticking your airbrush into one of these as it has a good chance of cleaning out all of the lubricant that allows for smooth airbrush operation.

However, if you are familiar with stripping your AB and reapplying the oil based lubricant to the needle then go for it.

Haven't seen much in the way of varying "specs" for ultrasonic cleaners, honestly. The most common household use seems to be jewelry cleaning, so you may have luck at the bigger department stores (Sears, Macy's, etc.), which tend to deal in both jewelry and gadgets. Personally, I wouldn't expect any more out of those than I would of the Harbor Freight model, so I'd simply go for the cheapest/easiest to get. They don't make models, to my knowledge, that couldn't fit an airbrush (especially broken down), so the only functional difference is likely to be the machine's lifespan.

Just get one that's cheap and has a relatively long cycle time. Over 5 minutes is nice.

Where does one get the lubricant for the needle? I didnt know this was a thing.

do ultra sonic cleaners stip paint off models?? i never heard of this...
/interested

This one will do a decent job of cleaning an airbrush.

This one will clean/strip models with correct cleaner in it. I use LAs Totally Awesome in it, cycle it a few times on the longest setting (480s) with the heat on (very very useful) and it strips the models to the point where the paint is just slipping off. Two minutes with a brush, run them under water, and they are good as new.

I ran into the lube-issue when using my ultrasonic cleaner for the first time. Ballistol (a kind of oil used in handgun cleaning) is very nice option for using to lube your airbrush afterwards.

so the heater makes it more suitable for stripping miniatures?

Having a heater makes it better overall. Hot soapy water works better than cold soapy water in the ultrasonic cleaner. The same works for simple green and LAs Totally Awesome both of which I've used in my ultrasonic cleaners.

My larger heated ultrasonic cleaner is leaps and bounds better than my small one, though I can only speak for the models I linked to.

What temperature do you set it to?

I have this one http://www.amazon.com/Joy4Less-Ultasonic-Cleaner-Model-Digital/dp/B009BTMX60/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1393710712&sr=8-12&keywords=ultrasonic+cleaner

You do not need one with a heater as you can just add you own hot water. I use water and a splash of Simple Green.

It will take off acryllic paint even if its quite old and sealed but requires two or three cycles and some brushing to get stuff squeaky clean. It takes off some primers as well such as the Vallejo stuff but not anything out of a can such as GW Chaos black. I had a dread that was probably painted with an enamel based product and it would not come off.

You are not going to be able to submerge a Rhino in this but you can cycle one on its side more or less and then flip. I find it's most effective with fewer items per cycle.

I also clean the components of my airbrush periodically. I say components because I don't toss the whole thing in. I use Badger Needle Juice (costs less than $5) to re-lubricate when needed. I find that when in contact with water, the lube turns into a paste and gets gummy so I clean thoroughly and re-lube when required.

I am glad I bought one (two years ago now) as I have salvaged many ebay finds as well as wipe out my own mistakes. I have just stripped a maulerfiend for the third time in my quest to crack NMM.

Good luck dude.

Cyto wrote:
Be careful with sticking your airbrush into one of these as it has a good chance of cleaning out all of the lubricant that allows for smooth airbrush operation.

However, if you are familiar with stripping your AB and reapplying the oil based lubricant to the needle then go for it.

There are non lubricated airbrushes. Most lubricates are related around the needle nothing that can't be replaced with a little cooking oil.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 ashtekka wrote:
I've read alot about different ultrasonic cleaners but it seems the ones I see frequently recommended I can't get in the US.
I had a couple saved on amazon that people had recommended awhile ago in other threads but they aren't available any more.

I'm looking to use it to clean my airbrush and maybe clean/strip figures. I might throw my wife's jewely in it too.

So any recommendations on what to buy (links would be awesome) or what I should be looking for spec wise?

I use a fairly cheap one with a 50:50 ratio of Simple Green and Water.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Sonic-Wave-Ultrasonic-Jewelry-Eyeglass-Cleaner-KEYS-RING-COINS-DENTURES-/310784965119?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item485c3a39ff