Ultrasonic Watch Cleaning Setup - 3 Jar Method with L&R Cleaner

[@troynasello2085]

Brilliant. I love that you rinse as other parts clean, each jar is actively working simultaneously. Huge time saver.

[@WatchWithMike]

Yes! I felt like I had my own little watch parts assembly line going! 😄

[@troynasello2085]

@@WatchWithMike it's just a great idea. I'm really impressed by it & a bit irritated with myself that I never thought of it.

[@WatchWithMike]

@@troynasello2085 we are always building our knowledge!

[@troynasello2085]

@@WatchWithMike indeed, without doubt. Keep the great ideas & tips coming!

[@dale4034]

I like the nail drier I doubt I'd ever have stumbled onto such a thing as neither I or my wife are users of nail polish. It must be a challenge to keep the fine wood dust out of the watch movements.

[@enricosgromo]

Have two 1800‘ pocket watches coming in today. Thank you very much for the insight! (Even i will try some non-ammonic stuff for the brass)

[@WatchWithMike]

@@enricosgromo You're welcome, and good luck with your projects!

[@walther9161]

A mesh on top would diffuse the air… nice setup!!

[@WatchWithMike]

Wow, that's a great idea! I like it… Thank you!

[@JulioMo]

Thank you for inspiring us, and showing us what works. Truly thankful!

[@WatchWithMike]

You are very welcome! 😁

[@VierImageStudios]

Im currently researching products to get into this as well. I saw someone else who was using sn inexpensive food dehydrator as a dryer for his parts. Seemed like a really slick solution as well

[@WatchWithMike]

I also looked into food dehydrators. It's a strong alternative. 😄

[@meulen1295]

This jar method is so clever, very nice video too!

[@WatchWithMike]

Thank you! It has been working well! 😁

[@mikeellis4345]

Oh I have the same ultrasonic cleaner works great on watch parts but I didn’t consider a 3 part cleaning system. I’ll give it a try !! Cheers !

[@WatchWithMike]

Lately I have been putting everything (that fits) into smaller jars first. Not only does it save cleaning solution, but it is much easier than scrubbing grime out of the big tank. 😁

[@mokumholland5640]

Mike, I would place the parts in the petrie dish on some kind of wire mesh so it can dry from the bottom too.

[@WatchWithMike]

@mokumholland5640 - that's a cool idea! I'm going to keep a lookout for some really fine wire mesh. Thanks!

[@mokumholland5640]

@@WatchWithMike also, and I just thought of this only now: maybe even to cover your dish so nothing can blow away.

[@WatchWithMike]

@@mokumholland5640 lol, yeah! This set up is definitely a work in progress!

[@Van_Der_Lay_Industries]

Awesome! Just what I'm looking for as a novice repairer. Subscribed.

[@WatchWithMike]

Excellent, welcome! 😁

[@fernandoAveledo]

Thanks for your video. Good content, sound and video. Passing parts from jar1 to jar2 will contaminate jar2 with cleaning solution. I use another jar with alcohol to take out the cleaning solution. You can use your Drier to speed up the evaporation of the alcohol…

[@WatchWithMike]

Hi Fernando, I think there's something in the rinse to neutralize the cleaner - at the expense of contaminating it to some degree.

[@endurojimmy3109]

Fantastic video, I'm in the begginer stages, and this is exactly what I was looking for. I was there that I would probably have some taller jars in the ultrasonic cleaner and fabricate a lid with with 3 holes in for the jars. Other than that, I think you've nailed it. Thanks again

[@WatchWithMike]

Thanks for the nice words, I think your ideas are very good! A cover with holes would keep the jars from "walking around" and bumping into each other, the way mine sometimes do. While I like how sturdy the mason jars are that I am using, I wonder if thinner glass would transfer more of the ultrasonic waves to the parts. I'd love to hear what you end up with! 😁

[@endurojimmy3109]

@WatchWithMike Yeah, I think having a thinner container is a good idea. I have a freind that owns some laboratories, so I'll ask his opinion.

[@kevinstenner8836]

Very interesting for a beginner like me, keep it coming from the UK.

[@WatchWithMike]

Thanks Kevin! Glad to have you along for the ride. 😁

[@PMELKUS]

For me I use Dawn dish detergent follow by a rise in Distilled water then a dip in 90% IPA. For drying I use a Food Dehydrator. One tip is you should degas your Ultrasonic before you add your parts. Air and other gases dissolved in a cleaning solution that will impact performance of ultrasonic cleaning tanks. I run mine for about 20 mins before adding my parts. Nice set Mike.

[@WatchWithMike]

I agree, degassing the cleaning fluids is a great idea. I usually have the chance to do that when I am warming up the cleaning fluid in the water bath. Before switching to the L & R cleaners, I was following your exact cleaning regimen. I still do that for watch case parts and bracelets, but I think I am using Palmolive. 😁

[@ColonelJGHyde]

Hiya what temperature do you use for degassing. Can glass jars be used? And temperature do you set for cleaning/ rinse cycles? Thanks

[@WatchWithMike]

@@ColonelJGHyde I shoot for 110 to 115°F for the whole process. The jars I am using are Bell jars for canning, and they can withstand being sterilized in boiling water, so I have no concerns at the lower temperatures I am using!

[@ColonelJGHyde]

@@WatchWithMike I'll follow that method of cleaning. Thanks for the advice 👍

[@PMELKUS]

I will put both of my glass jars in the machine and set the temp to 40C, one jar has my cleaning fluid the other my rinse water. I allow it to come up to temp then I will start the machine and allow it to run for about 20 min. After this I will add the parts I want to wash to the fluid jar and allow it to run for about 30 min. After this the parts will be put in the rinse jar and ran for about 5 min. Parts are then took out and dip in 99% IPA then they will be dry using a food dehydrator. I never change the temp on the machine it's always left at 40C.

[@samnova450]

Great feed back on your ultrasonic setup, curious what size is your machine? Also, I’ve seen people use food dehydrators to dry out watch parts. I plan to get an ultrasonic machine this year sometime.

[@WatchWithMike]

Thank you! The ultrasonic cleaner is 3 L, .8 gallon. I also looked at food dehydrator before settling on the nail polish dryer. My Amazon links are in the video description if you'd like to see more. 😁

[@romay8173]

Great idea with the 3 jars!!! Mike , how big is your ultrasonic? Is it 2L or 3L?

[@WatchWithMike]

Thanks! My cleaner is 3L (.8 gal). Here's the exact one I have: Ultrasonic Cleaner with Heater and Timer, 0.8 gal (3L) amzn.to/3Ear8pZ

[@batlleborn]

just on point of info .i didnt see you do it but for youre vieuwers .never put the balance or the palletfork in a utlrasoon except if you wonna ruin the watchmovement .the palletfork both teeth are attached with slack ( like a wax) that if heated or treated with alcohol sollution can come loose . and the balance spring shouldnt experience vibration like that

[@WatchWithMike]

👍

[@Kevin-yr6sq]

He meant 🖕🏻.

[@jimmyngktpi]

Would it be better to soak and clean the pallet folk in a solution like one-dip ? I think it is shellac friendly. Thanks.

[@TheHitman-]

It's not slack...it's bug chemical residue from female bugs india. It will not break the material loose unless you heat too much or use strong cleaners.

[@monte4150]

Great video Mike! Keep up the great work.

[@WatchWithMike]

Thanks Monte!

[@robertj548]

Consider an air diffuser to alter the warm air flow perhaps a mesh, stainless or fabric

[@WatchWithMike]

Thanks Robert! I did what you are suggesting. I took a small embroidery hoop and stretched a piece of window screen over it. It sits nicely on top of the petri dish and diffuses the warm breeze from the dryer without the parts blowing around. 😀

[@robertj548]

@@WatchWithMike Any better you may have to patent and manufacture.

[@WatchWithMike]

@@robertj548 Lol, it does the job! 😁

[@sonnymoorehouse1941]

Great Video !!!!! You can get un ammoniated L&R ultrasonic watch cleaning solution from amazon, it works well and does not irritate like the ammoniated product,

[@WatchWithMike]

@sonnymoorehouse1941 - Thanks Sonny, I'm glad you mentioned it! Here is a link: L&R #566 Ultrasonic Watch Cleaning Solution (works with the #3 Rinse Solution) amzn.to/3xsngwV

[@CristiNeagu]

So, so helpful. Thank you for this.

[@WatchWithMike]

I'm really glad you found it helpful. Thank you for watching!

[@boydsargeant7496]

Thanks Mike. I’ve just subscribed. I like your presentation skills. I like your new set up. I’d like to hear how you get on with your modification ideas. I have a similar set up. I’m going to try changing my cleaning jars to proper chemistry beakers, these have thinner glass and could help improve the cleaning. How have you found heating the liquid helps? What’s the ideal temperature in your opinion? I’ve found on old movements heat and prolonged cleaning sessions can lift the nickel plating on movement parts. I also clean case parts in Elma red 9:1, but I don’t think it’s available in the US (I’m in the Uk and get it from Cousins). Also I don’t like drying parts outside of the small baskets, in case bits get lost, I keep them in the baskets and turn them over a couple of times. Also I no longer dry the balance with heat, I’ve warped a couple of balance springs. Thanks again.

[@WatchWithMike]

Thanks for subscribing to the channel, I'm glad to have you along for the ride! I will keep an eye on my balance springs to see if the cleaning process is doing any harm. I generally keep my fluids at around 115°F, which seems to be working well. I've heard that people use thinner glass in their ultrasonic baths, but I've been satisfied with the Ball jars I've been using. The parts seem to get clean and the jars are pretty tough so I'm not afraid of them breaking. I hear what you are saying on leaving the parts in the basket when you are drying… transferring them out of the basket before drying makes me nervous but it seems to be worth it since I feel like I have the best control of separating parts that are stuck together for more thorough drying. I love all the experimentation, and I know that perfecting my technique is probably a long way in the future! 😂

[@piotrw6487]

Awesome video. I'm at the stage of learning how to clean a watch. Question that bothers me is how to clean the ballance. Could you share some info on that? Video would be even better :)

[@WatchWithMike]

Thanks for the nice words! To clean the balance, I reattach it to the main plate and run it through my cleaner with all of the other parts. Hope that helps!

[@piotrw6487]

So, does it mean that it also lands in ultrasonic cleaner?

[@WatchWithMike]

@@piotrw6487 Yes, I've been ultrasonic cleaning the balance assembly, protected by the main plate. Alternately you could give it a bath in One Dip.

[@pustiul1358]

Well done Sir !

[@WatchWithMike]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@grahamhall2662]

Some great ideas and not mega expensive like most things in this hobby are. Just bought the same ultra sonic machine only with the mechanical dial knobs. I can take a lot from this presentation of yours, thank you. The smell of pee is ammonia, a very long established cleaning chemical.

[@WatchWithMike]

Thanks Graham! I really like the ultrasonic cleaner, and this method of cleaning is doing a really good job. I have been watching professional cleaners for sale on eBay and, yikes! They are really expensive, even in bad condition. I'm glad the tips in this video are helping you in your hobby… Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@IamIvanStan]

you can just pee into the cup , why buy the cleaning agents

[@udayrathod6471]

Enjoyed the video🙏

[@WatchWithMike]

Excellent! Thanks for watching!

[@jamesly1066]

I like your video. What size (liter) is your ultra sonic cleaner. Thanks

[@WatchWithMike]

Thank you! The ultrasonic cleaner is 3 L, .8 gallon. My Amazon links are in the video description if you'd like to see more. 😁

[@RestorationWatch]

I've never understood the hair dryer and now nail dryer method as you are blowing dust from the air at your parts at a concentrated rate. Convection heating is the only method that makes sense to me, such as pre-heating the kitchen oven on the lowest setting with a thermometer inside and placing the parts in once it has cooled back down to about 50C degrees.

[@WatchWithMike]

I understand your theory, but any dust that gets blown on would also get blown off, right? 😁

[@RestorationWatch]

@@WatchWithMike No, as isopropanol is a solvent, it dissolves the dust particles and coats the parts as it dries.

[@SkyBlue-le7cd]

Thanks!!! Super helpful.

[@WatchWithMike]

Awesome! I will be using this set up this morning to clean my next project. Stay tuned! 😁

[@donbrough6386]

Thanks. Very useful.

[@WatchWithMike]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hectorcolon9989]

What size mason jar are you using.

[@WatchWithMike]

I think they are 200 ml jars.

[@IMakeWatches]

But does it also TASTE like pee? 😂😂😂 Great video Mike! I really enjoyed it! I think I need a better ultrasonic cleaner now!

[@WatchWithMike]

@IShootWatches - Oh, wow Dayton, did you really just go there??? 😂 I've gotten my money's worth out of my old ultrasonic cleaner, but the new one is definitely superior in it's build, capacity and heating capability. So far I'm really happy with the new setup.

[@troynasello2085]

Maybe if you but the petri dish in the dryer before turning it on. That way the air doesn't blow it from the side as you slide it in. Also, the air will gradually increase instead of introducing the parts to a torrent immediately, lessening the chance of blowing away parts.

[@WatchWithMike]

@troynasello2085 - that's a really interesting suggestion! I guess I could do a test with something expendable to see if it stays in the petri dish or blows out. Thanks for the idea!

[@troynasello2085]

@@WatchWithMike you are very welcome. We are all in this together. I clean parts with the exact same ultrasonic cleaner. Now I'm going to get 3 sealable jars and use your idea of all 3 in the cleaner at once to clean & rinse. Excellent set up.

[@JeffBeairsto]

Thanks for the video. To avoid spills from a 'glugging' jug, try this: Turn the jug on its side so the spout and handle are level. The spout will be able to draw in replacement air more readily and it won't 'glug'. This shows the (almost) sideways orientation I'm talking about. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGi1q2qeorqle5osi=nxyI96U0q5RUVqSl&t=209 If the jug is very full, you can turn it so the handle is lower than the spout for a glug-free pour.

[@WatchWithMike]

Good tip...I appreciate you watching! 😁

[@JesusChrist-iz7fl]

How many litres is that ultrasonic machine?

[@WatchWithMike]

0.8 gal (3L) amzn.to/3Ear8pZ

[@JesusChrist-iz7fl]

@@WatchWithMike ahh yeah that makes sense 😆 been using a 1.8L for my cleaning 😅

[@WatchWithMike]

@@JesusChrist-iz7fl I use my smaller ultrasonic all the time, but there's no way it will fit three jars.

[@igedeputra8625]

Good brother

[@WatchWithMike]

@igedeputra8625 - I appreciate it! It's been working very well. Thanks for watching!

[@lobdsk]

I will never use L&R again. I ruined 2 movements with that stuff

[@WatchWithMike]

Oh, sorry to hear that. What happened?

[@batlleborn]

im now in my second year of horlogie school and if i put any part of a watch movement in the ultrasoon ill get a F but truly in my opinion its primarely dangerous for the balance spring and palletfork

[@WatchWithMike]

I hear you! If I run a hairspring in the ultrasonic, it's mounted onto the balance which is mounted onto the main plate. As far as the pallet fork, I haven't had a problem the way I have been cleaning parts, but people have advised me to never use Isopropyl alcohol, because it will melt the shellac that holds on the pallet stones. Better safe than sorry, right? Thanks for sharing your insight!

[@batlleborn]

@@WatchWithMike then you should be fine

[@tylerfukuda]

Idk man, George Michaels "Watchmaking" has a section about cleaning and he states using an UltraSonic cleaner? "When starting to make each new component the plates and associated components should be washed clean to prevent the mating surfaces becoming marked during contact. This issimply and safely done with an ultrasonic bath of warm water and liquid soap."

[@WatchWithMike]

@@tylerfukuda warm water with dish soap has long been my preferred method for case parts. But I feel like parts come out more shiny, and dry more thoroughly when I use the three-step chemical cleaning process.

[@batlleborn]

slack wich is used to attach the jewels inside of the incabloc is a waxy substance that becomes more liquid if exposed to alcohol or to much heat so it couldshift the positiopn of the jewel also ultrasonic cleaning is cleaning with sounds freqeunty crystals and sounds arent a good combination also jewels are pressed at margins of 0.02mm and you want to shake them really quickly .and my teacher who has 30 years of experience at omega sais so .also go ask any suisse watchmaker and hell comfirm what i said even the o.p of this video agrees with me thats why you didnt see him put in the main plate inside of the ultrasound everyting without jewels is less dangerous but if i do that during my examns of horlogerie school ill get an f .andmy school is recognized by the suisse . so i dont really care whatever youre source sais @@tylerfukuda

[@robertobarbieri4379]

It's not a good idea tu put movement parts in an ultrasonic machine.It's good for bracelet and case.

[@WatchWithMike]

Ultrasonic is used in the highest of high end watch cleaning machines, so I am not concerned. I have not been ultrasonic cleaning my pallet forks, because I don't want the heat to soften the shellac. So far I have had great results with no casualties, but I suppose everyone should develop techniques that they are comfortable with. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@robertobarbieri4379]

👍

[@joeoliveira8558]

looks like pee, smells like pee, maybe it is pee.

[@WatchWithMike]

😂🤣 It better not be pee for what I paid!

[@tomraine4288]

Looks like pee, smells like pee, it is pee.

[@WatchWithMike]

😂 very expensive pee!