Screw Head Cleaner

[Brianc]

Nothing looks worse on a restored piece than rusty of dirty screw heads and nuts. These are fiddly to clean and it is better to use the original hardware rather than replace it with new - modern screws, except for expensive engineering screws, have poorly formed heads and the nuts do not have the asymmetric form of the earlier components (modern nuts seem to be chamfered on both faces, not just one).

[attachment=1993]

The picture shows my device which I "made" about 25 years ago. It's just a bit of hardwood (in this case oak) with lots of holes - 6BA to 0BA clear and others as and when necessary. The other part is a small wire brush. Simply put the screws in the holes, a number at a time if there's lots, and scrub with the wire brush. The screws rotate as they're scrubbed so the sides of cheese-heads get cleaned as well. It works equally as well with wood screws and this was originally made for cleaning wood screws from the pianolas etc. which I was restoring.

[AlanBeckett]

Brian,
I think it's time for a new brush
Alan

[Joe]

Agreed Alan; it makes mine look good!

I've found the same thing when restoring furniture and much prefer to use rusty old screws that look right than shiny new ones.

Cheers
- Joe

[Brianc]

Brian,
I think it's time for a new brush
Alan

I'm saving up for one but seem to be spending too much money on old TVs

[glowinganode]

Finally a use for my jostick holder from student days.
Rob.

[beam me up schottky]

I used similar methods but may I make a recommendation, an ultrasonic bath. Small ones are now quite cheap, they are very effective, quick and produce amazing results. Of course they are useful for cleaning almost anything that will fit in the bath, mine was originally bought to deal with old motorcycle carbs that stubbornly refused to yield their blockage causing crud to any other technique. 10 mins in the US bath and not only were the blockages gone but the surfaces looked almost new. You won't regret buying one.

[fido]

What solution do you use in the ultrasonic cleaner? I bought one a couple of years ago but have not tried it yet. I used one in my lab technician days but there we had access to industrial solvents.

[beam me up schottky]

Depending on the item to be cleaned, either jewellery cleaner, specific ultrasonic solution or even meths and white spirit ! Try it, you'll like it !

[Mark R]

I used similar methods but may I make a recommendation, an ultrasonic bath. Small ones are now quite cheap, they are very effective, quick and produce amazing results. Of course they are useful for cleaning almost anything that will fit in the bath, mine was originally bought to deal with old motorcycle carbs that stubbornly refused to yield their blockage causing crud to any other technique. 10 mins in the US bath and not only were the blockages gone but the surfaces looked almost new. You won't regret buying one.

I use a 12v battery charger, an old bowl and soda crystals.
Attache one croc lead (negative) to a metal knife the other to whatever needs a clean and submerge in water and soda crystals, switch on any away you go.
Works a treat with rusty hinges and the like.

cheers Mark

[Yorkie]

I used similar methods but may I make a recommendation, an ultrasonic bath. Small ones are now quite cheap, they are very effective, quick and produce amazing results. Of course they are useful for cleaning almost anything that will fit in the bath, mine was originally bought to deal with old motorcycle carbs that stubbornly refused to yield their blockage causing crud to any other technique. 10 mins in the US bath and not only were the blockages gone but the surfaces looked almost new. You won't regret buying one.

I’ve tried a couple of the ‘budget’ ultrasonic cleaners over the years – one came from Aldi – the other from Maplin. Both went back the same day – utterly useless. They’re under-powered and only stay on for about 3 minutes at a time. I took the plunge last Christmas and asked Santa to bring me a proper one, as used in labs etc, and he did. Very good it is too. I’ve tried it on such things as cleaning variable caps and the like and they come out like new. It has a heater and a timer and 70 Watts ultrasonic power, and the tank is a sensible size for most bits and bobs. In ‘old money’ the tank is 6” x 5” x 4” deep. It came with a free lid, but the basket was a bit extra, and is essential so as not to damage the tank.

The spec is:
• Ultrasonic Frequency: 40,000 Hz
• Tank Capacity: 2 L
• Timer: 1-30 Minutes
• Ultrasonic Power: 70 W
• Heating Power: 60 W
• Unit Size: 176 x 185 x 212 mm
• Tank Size: 150 x 135 x 100 mm

I bought it from Allendale Stores who advertise in Everyday Practical Electronics.

They also sell a range of cleaning fluids which you dilute, and can store and re-use. It you pour it into a container and leave it for a while, the dirt sinks to the bottom and you can re-use the fluid till it gets too dirty.

I bought it from here:

www.pcb-soldering.co.uk

The one that I bought is here:

http://www.pcb-soldering.co.uk/ultrasoni...acity.html

The full range that they sell, and cleaning fluids is here:

http://www.pcb-soldering.co.uk/ultrasonic-cleaners.html


Interesting website – they sell lots of other stuff of interest.

A complete extravagance of course, but as Liberace famously said: “the only difference between men and boys is the price they pay for their toys”. Not wrong there then.

David.