WizardOfBoz
Diamond
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2006
- Location
- SE PA, Philly
I'm restoring a couple of old bicycles. Also maintaining some new ones. Two things I'm concerned with are
1) Cleaning the crude out of old chains, brakes, derailleurs, and such, and
2) Polishing small aluminum (and other metal) parts like brake handles, hubs, etc.
For the cleaning, I've always used min sprits in a jar. Put a chain in, for example, add min spirits, close the thing and shake. Possibly apply an old toothbrush and resoak and shake. Works pretty well, but I've been thinking about an ultrasonic cleaner. Worth it for this application? If I get one, are the cheapie harbor fright ones (1.5 L, plastic housing, 75 bucks) ok, or would one of the more industrial looking (stainless housing and tank, for example) off ebay be better? If this was a business, I'd probably buy a higher quality one, like a Crest, but for my needs the cheapie should be fine. I hope.
For polishing aluminum, there's a couple of ways to go. A pedestal grinder with a buffing wheel, plus a Dremel-type tool (or a flex shaft tool) with a buffing wheel. Or a vibratory bowl. Or a rock tumbler.
Given that my needs are pretty minimal I'm thinking that a small wet-dry vibratory bowl tumbler might work as well as anything.
Suggestions?
1) Cleaning the crude out of old chains, brakes, derailleurs, and such, and
2) Polishing small aluminum (and other metal) parts like brake handles, hubs, etc.
For the cleaning, I've always used min sprits in a jar. Put a chain in, for example, add min spirits, close the thing and shake. Possibly apply an old toothbrush and resoak and shake. Works pretty well, but I've been thinking about an ultrasonic cleaner. Worth it for this application? If I get one, are the cheapie harbor fright ones (1.5 L, plastic housing, 75 bucks) ok, or would one of the more industrial looking (stainless housing and tank, for example) off ebay be better? If this was a business, I'd probably buy a higher quality one, like a Crest, but for my needs the cheapie should be fine. I hope.
For polishing aluminum, there's a couple of ways to go. A pedestal grinder with a buffing wheel, plus a Dremel-type tool (or a flex shaft tool) with a buffing wheel. Or a vibratory bowl. Or a rock tumbler.
Given that my needs are pretty minimal I'm thinking that a small wet-dry vibratory bowl tumbler might work as well as anything.
Suggestions?