Baskets for Ultrasonic Cleaner

[David1984]

Good Afternoon fellow enthusiasts.  I am newer to watch repair and am enjoying the hobby so far, but I'm having an issue when I run things through my ultrasonic cleaner.  Some of the smaller screws seem to escape the mesh baskets I have, and I'm looking for the best to keep everything inside, so I do accidentally lose tiny parts.  These are what I have now, and the mesh is too open, apparently.  5 Pcs Ultrasonic Cleaner Baskets, 304 Stainless Steel Jewelry Steam Cleaner Baskets Ultrasonic Parts Cleaner Basket with Lock and Hook for Cleaning Jewelry and Small Parts https://a.co/d/8LdGSZH

[RichardHarris123]

I leave small screws and springs in the parts tray, leave it soak in cleaning solution, wipe the try afterwards  thus keeping the tray clean. 

Edited August 4, 2024 by RichardHarris123

[oldhippy]

I would put them in ronsonol lighter fluid to clean them get a small pot with a screw lid then put them on some tissue paper and fold it over them to soak up the fluid. Very similar to what Richard has suggested.  

[Marc]

I have a different approach to @RichardHarris123 and @oldhippy in that I return screws to their respective holes once the part that they were securing has been removed.

This not only prevents losing screws but also helps to ensure that the screws all end up back in the right place, assuming of course that they were in the correct location to start with

[RichardHarris123]

3 minutes ago, Marc said:

I have a different approach to @RichardHarris123 and @oldhippy in that I return screws to their respective holes once the part that they were securing has been removed.

This not only prevents losing screws but also helps to ensure that the screws all end up back in the right place, assuming of course that they were in the correct location to start with

The only reason that I don't use your approach is the screw holes and threads can't be properly cleaned. 

[Marc]

8 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

The only reason that I don't use your approach is the screw holes and threads can't be properly cleaned. 

An interesting and valid observation.

However, I first of all can't imagine how the threads might become dirty or contaminated in the first place, and secondly I can't see that it would matter much if they did. Obviously if there is rust involved then that would need to be addressed, as would any contamination that might cause the threads to bind or which could cause other damage in the watch. Other than rust though I have never come across threads that particularly needed cleaning. These are static, un-lubricated parts so it's hard to see how failing to clean them as individual pieces could be detremental to their function, and to me the pro's far outweigh the con's.

None the less, this is watchmaking so is guaranteed to garner differences in approach and opinion, all equally valid

[RichardHarris123]

I can't disagree with any of your logic @Marc, both methods are valid, along with probably many others  

[rjenkinsgb]

I use these screw-together brass ones, the only thing that's ever escaped was a tiny wire click spring.

(No idea which seller I got mine from, they were in fives, I think).

Examples:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385557654160

Those in turn go in a larger stainless mesh basket with a loop handle that can be easily lifted out of the machine tank.

[Neverenoughwatches]

1 hour ago, RichardHarris123 said:

The only reason that I don't use your approach is the screw holes and threads can't be properly cleaned. 

I have to agree with you Rich , ive experienced often and I'm sure we all have , dirt and grease laden  threads of both screws and screw holes. I'd be extremely surprised to hear of someone that hasn't. 

1 hour ago, RichardHarris123 said:

I can't disagree with any of your logic @Marc, both methods are valid, along with probably many others  

I have to ask Rich , have you seen dirt and grease in screw threads ? If so then the reason to clean them is obvious 

Like OH used to , i hand clean screws and any small springs etc in a small screw top tin using a stiff brush particularly on the screw threads.  Dirt and grease can quickly contaminate the cleaning solution used so without a doubt whatever dirt/grease is present inside it does make its way into the threads, much depends on the age and maintenance of the movement ,how dirty it will be inside. Hand cleaning ensures i dont lose very small parts.

[RichardHarris123]

On a previous post the question was asked " who are you?" Impossible to answer as most of us are a myriad of things.  One of my few (many) faults is being opinionated when I   think I'm correct, so try really hard to  temper my opinion because I don't want to upset anyone.  In this case, I  have seen grease and dirt both on threads and in the screw hole

So who am ? Impossibletoanswer but  a small snippet, I'll go out of my way to help anyone, try really hard not to hurt anyone, cross me, poor you.

[Neverenoughwatches]

8 hours ago, RichardHarris123 said:

On a previous post the question was asked " who are you?" Impossible to answer as most of us are a myriad of things.  One of my few (many) faults is being opinionated when I   think I'm correct, so try really hard to  temper my opinion because I don't want to upset anyone.  In this case, I  have seen grease and dirt both on threads and in the screw hole

So who am ? Impossibletoanswer but  a small snippet, I'll go out of my way to help anyone, try really hard not to hurt anyone, cross me, poor you.

I think most of us here are opinionated Rich, this hobby calls for a logic brain developed through experience .When we have that or think we have that we dont wish to see our logic flawed by other folk , that it turn can make us quickly more opinionated than we would normally be.  Its not a bad thing as long as it remains within the bounds of civilised back and forth discussion . We learn from our experiences and others can also learn from our experiences through that discussion.  What was the previous "who are you" post ?

11 hours ago, Marc said:

I have never come across threads that particularly needed cleaning. 

I'm  struggling to understand that Marc?  I have seen it often, before any cleaning process while inspecting for faults, taking bridges off putting them back on dirt is pushed through threads ending up on the plate. Its possible that cleaning solutions will wash through the threads to clean them to some degree but wouldn't you want to keep solution jars less contaminated as in mechanical precleaning ways ?

[RichardHarris123]

19 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

What was the previous "who are you" post ?

I think it was @Jonvideo which showed his workshop and students.  He said it showed a little of who he was and his ethos.  

[Neverenoughwatches]

9 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

I think it was @Jonvideo which showed his workshop and students.  He said it showed a little of who he was and his ethos.  

Ah yes it was Rich you're right , i think it was discussed what we looked like, he mentioned my profile pic was epic . Shame its not me , well kind of me 30 years ago, its my lad. 

[Marc]

10 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

I'd be extremely surprised to hear of someone that hasn't. 

Prepare to be extremely surprised.

I can't claim to have the experience of a seasoned professional who's been at the bench for 40 years, but I have been practicing this wonderful craft as a hobbyist for about 20 years, averaging a couple of watches a month, so I have a sample size of more than just a handful of examples to go on. I can't say that I have ever come across....

10 hours ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

dirt and grease laden  threads

I have encountered a few (I would say less than 10) grossly over oiled movements, but even on those, "dirt and grease laden threads" were not a feature.

I find it hard to imagine a mechanism by which threads would even become so contaminated, unless someone actually purposefully oiled them (?????). Even excess lubrication migrating from places where there should be oil is unlikely to find its way into screw holes, let alone in sufficient quantities for the threads to become "laden".

Still, we all have different experiences and I guess that I must be sourcing my victims from a cleaner and less oily source than some other folks.

As I previously said if there is rust involved then it's a different matter.

 

Note: I have actually come across a couple of examples of grossly contaminated threaded holes (dirt, not oil), but only in un-cased movements that have been rattling around unprotected in someones parts bin for a few decades.

[Neverenoughwatches]

16 minutes ago, Marc said:

Prepare to be extremely surprised.

I can't claim to have the experience of a seasoned professional who's been at the bench for 40 years, but I have been practicing this wonderful craft as a hobbyist for about 20 years, averaging a couple of watches a month, so I have a sample size of more than just a handful of examples to go on. I can't say that I have ever come across....

I have encountered a few (I would say less than 10) grossly over oiled movements, but even on those, "dirt and grease laden threads" were not a feature.

I find it hard to imagine a mechanism by which threads would even become so contaminated, unless someone actually purposefully oiled them (?????). Even excess lubrication migrating from places where there should be oil is unlikely to find its way into screw holes, let alone in sufficient quantities for the threads to become "laden".

Still, we all have different experiences and I guess that I must be sourcing my victims from a cleaner and less oily source than some other folks.

As I previously said if there is rust involved then it's a different matter.

 

Note: I have actually come across a couple of examples of grossly contaminated threaded holes (dirt, not oil), but only in un-cased movements that have been rattling around unprotected in someones parts bin for a few decades.

Haha yes you are right marc I'm surprised,  maybe I've been rather unlucky in my finds lol

[CYCLOPS]

David1984, get some of these tiny baskets for smaller parts, I saw these on eBay, there are other styles too...

[Neverenoughwatches]

8 minutes ago, CYCLOPS said:

David1984, get some of these tiny baskets for smaller parts, I saw these on eBay, there are other styles too...

Tbh, i dont like these, the brass screw together is heavy and blocks valuable solution getting in, i might put big parts in,but anything with a pivot.........the baskets roll around a lot....a pivot pokes through the mesh and its days are duly numbered. The best cheapish ones around are some that @Jonposted a few months back for ali.x , they had a finer mesh and good lids.

[AndyGSi]

I use these from Cousins.

Along with these from Ali

[rjenkinsgb]

8 hours ago, CYCLOPS said:

David1984, get some of these tiny baskets for smaller parts, I saw these on eBay, there are other styles too...

I use that style in different sizes, though I pack them in an outer basket, all upright, with extra one if required so they cannot roll around.

They work fine in the ultrasonic - but I would not use them in a rotating style machine, due to things being thrown about , as Neverenoughwatches says.

[CYCLOPS]

I use the tiny stainless L&R like above myself, the brass ones for overflow needs, the brass is generally less expensive too and most on here just dip there movement/parts to clean also....

[HectorLooi]

I found that brass baskets react with ammoniated cleaners and shorten their useful lifespan. And with the cost of L&R #111, that can really hurt the pocket.

[rjenkinsgb]

On 10/17/2024 at 9:55 AM, HectorLooi said:

I found that brass baskets react with ammoniated cleaners and shorten their useful lifespan. And with the cost of L&R #111, that can really hurt the pocket.

I agree that they do the first time or two, but then seem to stabilise - I've used mine dozens of times & still only half way through my first can of L&R 111 (which included doing a couple of mantel clock movements).