I'd like to get an ultrasonic cleaner for cleaning reels and such. Does anyone know a good one or a good source for one? I don't want to go into business, just for my own use so I don't want a large expensive commercial one. Thanks for any advice.

Not a bad little cleaner for home use. No heat, does as decent job for not a whole lot of money. From personal experience.

http://www.bransonic.com/model_b200.asp

From there, a person can go up to units that will degrease, timers, heated, etc.

Thanks, Most I have found have had mixed reviews. Had missed this one brand.

Here ya go Marble.......

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/search_catalog_command.cmd?fromProductSearch=true&item1=ik-217821

Cheers,

George

If you want one that will last! I think you can not go wrong with a Branson! You can find them on Ebay used every so often. I have had mine for over ten years and it runs everyday!

+1 Branson is the way to go I tried one of the cheaper plastic ones and it cracked after about 3 months. Have had one Branson for almost 5 years and the other for over 3 years no problems.

Had two of these for almost 3 years now. Wanna guess how many reels have been in them? I am guessing at about 3000. $69 bucks and 100 Watt.

Now, you guys talking about ultrasonics scares me. You do know they won't work by simply dunking the whole reel in them don't you? They still have to be broken down properly to work. I use plastic reusable coffee filters for the small stuff.

Thanks for all the help, guys. The one from Harbor Freight is the one I had originally wanted but some of the reviews were pretty bad while others were quite good. Thanks for the advice Coast Tackle. If they have been that good for you I'm sure they are fine for my use. With 20+ reels to keep cleaned I just can't afford to pay someone to do it and one of these will let me stay on top of them better. I do realize they have to be disassembled. I was thinking about making a basket from window screen but the coffee filter sounds great. Just didn't know if anything like screen or coffee filter would still let it work properly.
On disassembly, for say an Abu 5000 series, do you have to take all the parts off the plate the push button is on or will it clean up under the flat pieces?

Thanks again to everyone who posted.

Remove everything with the exception of pressed-in fittings.
For most smaller parts, a fine-wire mesh strainer can work well, remove the handle. Be careful, there are wire springs and such that can escape, be extra dutiful with ultra small parts.
Would recommend not doing bearings unless completely disassembled.

Remember every time you fill the machine with your liquid solution, to run a degas cycle. This is simply a full cycle with liquid only, no parts. Your product "initial set-up" or owners manual should explain. You will never realize full benefit of the machine without first doing this.

This outfit used to market a really good solution for ultrasonic use. Do not know if they are still around.

Reel Clean Corporation
13029 Faxton St
Clearwater, FL
727-524-4279

Do what you want but those are the most important parts in the reel. AGain, Everything I do on reel is down to the frame to the point that it had never seen an assembly line. That Ultrasonic will not remove the grease completely, YOu have to hand clean still on most heavily dirty parts and then put it back in to finish cleaning. They really do not work on parts like that unless they are loose to where you can get to the bad spots. What an ultrasonic will do is remove most LOOSE particles that you cannot get to otherwise. To be honest,doing your own reels would be just as easily done with a mild solution of simple green and dishwashing liquid by hand and a toothbrush. The ultrasonic works well again on the frames, sideplates, and small parts to get it started but there is still some hand cleaing that has to be done even after they go through a couple cycles on the cleaner. At least the cleaner will bring the water up over 100 degrees to soften the grease. I keep two because I will break down as many as 10-15 reels at a time and then stand and clean them all and prepare them for reassembly. By then the solution has to be changed. It is a waste to do up a solution and get the cleaner going for just a few reels.

Do people seriously buy ultrasonics and then just put a fully assembled reel in it? Yikes!

Thanks for the info. I have been using a toothbrush and solvent since the 60's. I just thought with one of these I could just put parts in, reoil and grease, and reassemble. I think you are right in that I might as well just keep on like I've been doing.
I mean no harm and want to thank you for the info, but it kinda reminds me of "Wash the dishes before you put them in the dishwasher." I have always wondered why women even want one if you have to wash them first anyway!

[img]http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/large/628/992327.jpg
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Midway USA Hornady Case Cleaner cleans 100 .308 cases at a time should work well for a couple of reels or your dentures (lol). $99.99

Happy Fishing
Kevin

Press release on free ultrasonic cleaner giveaway on July 4th: News.Yahoo.com http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20110405/bs_prweb/prweb8269588_1 Hope one of you can win it.

we use the Bransonic and never had any problems. It has a heater and timer. If you order one, but sure to order the solid pan tho. I have number if you want. send me e mail and i'll get it for you as not on this computer.