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Solvent-H no more... what now????

jguitron
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jguitron WRT Addict

jguitron

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Hello everyone,

 

After several more lessons I've come to appreciate the utility of Solvent-H in the cleaning process. Since I don't know if this is universal, here it goes: we use it to clean individual parts after they've been put through precleaning and then the actual full cycle in the machine. If overoiled or dirtied for some reason while assembling we can dunk that part or jewel into Sol. H and it's back as clean as before. I figure it's similar to one-dip by Bergeon to clean hairsprings?

 

Anyway, apparently solvent-H is no longer produced. It's main use was the cleaning of printer equipment as in newspapers and books.

 

Even if it was still available, it could only be bought by the gallon and once opened it had to be used in short order, so for low-volumen individuals this was not cost effective.

 

Is there anything else similar out there? Would one-dip do the job? Is naptha or lighter fluid usable for the above?

 

Thank you much for taking the time.

 

Cheers!

 

 

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wls1971 Distinguished Member

wls1971

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Never heard of it who made it, it should have a safety data sheet available if a comercial product that would tell you the main ingreidients and allow you to search for a similar product,

Why does it have to be used quickley ?

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jguitron WRT Addict

jguitron

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Never heard of it who made it, it should have a safety data sheet available if a comercial product that would tell you the main ingreidients and allow you to search for a similar product,
Why does it have to be used quickley ?



It's a rather mysterious solvent that my school uses regularly. The master watchmaker seems to have found an alternative but I'll have to get that info in detail before I can post it.

It appears to degrade once the container is opened.

So, what are you and in general people doing when once the parts are clean and you're reassembling when suddenly you smear a piece or overoil a jewel... how are you cleaning it?

Cheers!




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dadistic Distinguished Member

dadistic

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I use One-Dip, the Trichloroethylene version. In fact, I bought some lab grade stuff since it was cheaper than the branded.  Not something you want to snort, though. Those fumes are nasty!

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dadistic Distinguished Member

dadistic

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Yes,  I think the tetrachloroethylene is the Bergeon version. It's the same as perc, the dry cleaning fluid, and thanks to @FedericoI bought some sold by CRC as brakleen, got a gallon pretty cheap. Now I just need some old Bergeon bottles and I could make a fortune!

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wls1971 Distinguished Member

wls1971

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Solvent H is made by ottobock and is a N-Heptane solvent it shouldnt break down over time it will however evaporate quickley producing a heavier than air vapour that is highley volatile and at the correct air vapour mixture highly explosive, N-Heptane should be available from any scientific lab supplier like Fisher, Ottobock sell their Solvent-H  in 0.25 litre bottles.

I wouldnt use it in a home enviroment it would require use under antic static conditions.

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jguitron WRT Addict

jguitron

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Solvent H is made by ottobock and is a N-Heptane solvent it shouldnt break down over time it will however evaporate quickley producing a heavier than air vapour that is highley volatile and at the correct air vapour mixture highly explosive, N-Heptane should be available from any scientific lab supplier like Fisher, Ottobock sell their Solvent-H  in 0.25 litre bottles.
I wouldnt use it in a home enviroment it would require use under antic static conditions.



Impressive! Very interesting info.

Sounds like one-dip will be the best choice.

Super interesting input. Thanks to all!




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