New Hobby Ultrasonic Record Cleaning

@ fleschler
"Not 45, not 80, not 90 kHz. NEVER 120 kHz or higher. All are proven to damage records over time."  I have never seen any data that can confirm this and I think it is likely hyperbole.  None of the other ultrasonic manufacturers would be in business if this is the case.  I read a post on another forum of someone who ultrasonically cleaned a record repeatedly over a hundred times and found no macroscopic or sonic detriment.  One guys experience and may not be valid.  On the other hand, I can categorically refute "AVOID HOME MADE SYSTEMS WHERE TEMPERATURES EXCEED 95°F, (35°C) as these WARP RECORDS and affect groove integrity."  This is easy since warping is grossly macroscopic and easily detected.  I have cleaned over 1000 lps, some repeatedly, with a bath temp between 40-45 degrees centigrade.  I have never had one change in the flatness of lps.  Period.  His statements, in my opinion, are sometimes self serving and may not be factual.  The warping issue at the temperatures described is pure fallacy.

The Kirmuss statements on ultrasonic frequency are pure nonsense.  The science of ultrasonic cleaning is well understood and well documented such as detailed in this book -  Particle Adhesion and Removal | Wiley Online Books.  Fundamentally the lower the frequency the larger the bubble that is created. So, a 40kHz unit will produce bubbles in the size of about 75 microns. These are not going to get into the record groove. The Degritter 120kHz will produce bubbles about 20 microns and these can get into the groove. But, the larger bubble produces more energy when it collapses (cavitation) so there is fluid agitation around the collapsing event that can provide cleaning. How violent the bubble collapse is determined by the amount of power provided by the transducers. So, a low power 40kHz unit may be safe for soft metal (jewelry) while a 40kHz high power unit (used to clean carburetors) may not. The higher kHz smaller bubble by their size are limited to how violent they can collapse - so a high powered 120kHz unit has less potential for damage than a high power 40 kHz. So, fundamentally, if you follow the logic - the lower frequency units (40 kHz) are good for larger soil surfaces and particles while the higher frequency units (80-132kHz) are better at removing smaller particles.

@antinn 
You are correct in your information. Kirmuss has been proven to be incorrect in his statements, and recently his products & statements have begun to fall out of favor. While expensive, the Degritter US cleaner is currently the best unit on the market for this type of cleaning. I also agree with @orthomeade- I made my own DIY US cleaner and NEVER had any issue with heat damaging my records, and I cleaned over 800 LPs, plus several hundred 45s. Heat (in the correct temp range) does, in fact aid in the cleaning process. If you are mechanically inclined, you can make a very good DIY US Cleaner for around $150-$200. There is a LOT of info on this out there.

Antinn, thanks for the follow-up on the pint of the Tergitol surfacant for $21.75 from Talas. That's a much more reasonable cost.

Mike

Skypunk: You were right about the fast shipping.  I got mine in two days.  This machine is excellent.  For those of you who may be on the fence about a purchase, if this machine becomes available again at the same price buy it.  It really does work.  It replaces a Record Doctor 4 which is still a good machine but I think this is better.  The best thing for me is that I can now clean both sides of a record at the same time.  For the price it's a great deal.