Yes thanks for that.
I suppose what I was speculating about was how much could be done without moving the record (or at least only half or so of it).
Although I know that ultrasonic transducers are usually used in a mode near resonance, if ones could be conjured in conjunction with drive circuitry that achieved a more frequency-independent response, it would seem feasible to do something approaching a swept frequency mode and not require moving the part to be cleaned. But I'm sure the existing machines work fine---it's just a habit of mine to explore possibilities.
I suppose what I was speculating about was how much could be done without moving the record (or at least only half or so of it).
Although I know that ultrasonic transducers are usually used in a mode near resonance, if ones could be conjured in conjunction with drive circuitry that achieved a more frequency-independent response, it would seem feasible to do something approaching a swept frequency mode and not require moving the part to be cleaned. But I'm sure the existing machines work fine---it's just a habit of mine to explore possibilities.
This is mine
Hello All,
and many thanks to all for the very inspiring thread especially to the author.
This is my implementation of the ultrasonic cleaner, very cheap and easy to do...
I use a chinese cleaner, a motor for a mirror ball and a timer to slow it down to 1 turn every 15min approximately, a shaft coupler 7mm/7mm, a steel bar 7mm, a hole saw to drill two disc of wood and two of an unknown material i've found in some package, a drill point stopper 8mm dia, some plastic clamps, two boards of wood screwed toghether.
I had very good results cleaning my first records, i've also had a couple of knosti and the result is far superior with this method. I still have to experiment with cleaning fluid but I am already very satisfied.
I'm a little confused and skeptical about the cleaning machine itself, it claims 150W ultrasonic power and 300W heating power, i've measured the wattage absorbed from the mains and I've obtained 85W for the sole ultrasonic part and a 240W for heating and us toghether, so false claim I suppose to make it more desirable.
I've done the tin foil test and really after 1 minute it's practically destroyed in many parts of it's surface or at least very wrinkled.
I would like to buy a better one but the price difference here in Italy is enormous... I am curious about the chance to tweak the electronic circuit of the us exciter to make it more powerful, I have electronics skills so I will try, at least to analyze the schematic.
What do you think about yhe 85W absorbed? I's normal? Not enought?
Regards,
Luca
Hello All,
and many thanks to all for the very inspiring thread especially to the author.
This is my implementation of the ultrasonic cleaner, very cheap and easy to do...
I use a chinese cleaner, a motor for a mirror ball and a timer to slow it down to 1 turn every 15min approximately, a shaft coupler 7mm/7mm, a steel bar 7mm, a hole saw to drill two disc of wood and two of an unknown material i've found in some package, a drill point stopper 8mm dia, some plastic clamps, two boards of wood screwed toghether.
I had very good results cleaning my first records, i've also had a couple of knosti and the result is far superior with this method. I still have to experiment with cleaning fluid but I am already very satisfied.
I'm a little confused and skeptical about the cleaning machine itself, it claims 150W ultrasonic power and 300W heating power, i've measured the wattage absorbed from the mains and I've obtained 85W for the sole ultrasonic part and a 240W for heating and us toghether, so false claim I suppose to make it more desirable.
I've done the tin foil test and really after 1 minute it's practically destroyed in many parts of it's surface or at least very wrinkled.
I would like to buy a better one but the price difference here in Italy is enormous... I am curious about the chance to tweak the electronic circuit of the us exciter to make it more powerful, I have electronics skills so I will try, at least to analyze the schematic.
What do you think about yhe 85W absorbed? I's normal? Not enought?
Regards,
Luca
not DIY but a new ultrasonic comes to the market, a clone of the Audio Desk, and for $1500 NOT $4000 like the Audio Desk! Aliexpress.com : Buy Amari Automatic ultrasonic LP clean Machine from Reliable machine waste suppliers on Legends of China | Alibaba Group
my last post about it, I promise (I know this thread is for DIY but this new machine for the price is tempting
)I got a quote from cattylink.com and is really tempting price $1098
AMARI RW-600 ULTRASONIC VINYL RECORDS CLEANER (DISCOUNTED OFFER) $855.00
Shipping - DHL / TNT INTERNATIONAL EXPRESS Shipping, Documents, Insurance: $185.00
Payment Fee, Fuel Surcharges: $58.00
Delivery Location : USA
Currency is US Dollar Total $1,098.00
they say, the AMARI RW-600 is the only that works with 115V other ultrasonics machines are 220 TO 240V.
I hope some USA company start to selling rebranded or something for the same price or less.
what do you think guys?
The Amari machine looks like a poor investment to me.
- Cotton rollers that scrub the LP? No thanks. Why not just clean your LPs with an old tee shirt?
- How is the record spun? --- by rubber rollers, immersed in the tank, that rotate against the edge of the record. No thanks.
- The "filter" is a joke. Looks like open cell foam that yellows quickly (see their photo).
- No mention of cleaning frequency --- which implies it could be 25khz (or 40khz at best).
To each his own, but no way would I spend $1000 or more on the Amari.
Cheers,
B B
- Cotton rollers that scrub the LP? No thanks. Why not just clean your LPs with an old tee shirt?
- How is the record spun? --- by rubber rollers, immersed in the tank, that rotate against the edge of the record. No thanks.
- The "filter" is a joke. Looks like open cell foam that yellows quickly (see their photo).
- No mention of cleaning frequency --- which implies it could be 25khz (or 40khz at best).
To each his own, but no way would I spend $1000 or more on the Amari.
Cheers,
B B
well yes your comment makes sense, but so you opinion is the same for Audio Desk and klaudio.com ? I think yes because the Amari works like the Audio Desk, is the same thing...
and yes I think I prefer hold my $1000 and make my own for much less money and better results.
I need read more this thread but one of my big questions about DIY ultrasonics is: ok the disc rotate under the water, so the labels start to wet? you know water moves down... vertical and touch the labels?
and! when everything stop how you vacuum??? if you put on a normal RCM like VPI to vacuum, you put a wet side in the platter of the RCM, that don't sounds good to me, that my only question for now, how vacuum after the ultrasonics cleaning.
cool but why your cost $675 ? is a little expensive I mean I know other ultrasonics for $250 are just 40KHz but... $675 + other materials to ultrasonic almost goes for $1000 ultrasonic machine.
The disc rotates very slowly, so the water runs off first and doesn't wet the label.
Which machines are $250?
ok good make sense.
and when everything stop how can you dry?
put the disc horizontal in a normal RCM to dry like a VPI machine it will be no good, I mean you know put a wet disc on the platter can contaminate again!
maybe using something like this manually: MK1 Record Cleaner Cleaning Wand Vinyl Velvet Brush Tool Vacuum Attachment Vac | eBay
with a vacuum, drying vertical
In the Audio Desk cleaner, the fluid is pumped out for fan drying of the LP, and then
the fluid is filtered and pumped back in.
in the audio desk yes... but Im asking for the DIY
I don't want spend $4K in a Audio Desk and the starter thread make valid points to avoid the $1000 Amari too, yes make sense that anything! touch the record on the ultrasonics baths, so I thinking again in make a DIY
I don't have any way to clean my records, so for now Im thinking buy this:
Opera-Consonance Vinyl Record Cleaning Machine - MSRP US$650.00 | Grant Fidelity Home Audio
and later create my DIY ultrasonics.
by the way for people use both machines, normal RCM like VPI or Consonance and Ultrasonics, what's your workflow? first ultrasonics and later normal rcm burshes etc... or normal first and later ultrasonics?
The least expensive, yet still good cleaner is the Record Doctor.
After building an ultrasonic cleaner, you could still use it, just for drying.
Record Doctor V Record Cleaning Machine US 115v-Audio Advisor
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New here, obviously started lusting after the Audio Desk / Klaudio machines since I saw them, but just not in the budget. I was hoping there would be some cheaper solution, saw some DIY's on eBay, etc., and the Internet roads eventually led here. I'm wondering, in fact, if BB is the originator of this entire movement. Obviously we owe him a huge debt in any case.
I am really not much of a DYI'er (at least, I've never built anything like this). I've read most of the 127-pages-and-counting over the past few days and it all looks quite daunting to me. But I am extremely impressed with the build quality of some of these units and the support by everyone here, so I am thinking I may give it a try.
A couple of basic questions to get me started - and I apologize if these are redundant, but I did read most of the thread I think, although folks keep coming in my office and interrupting me...go figure.
Anyway, obviously I want to use V.3 as my jumping-off point. Am I correct that there is no instruction/assembly manual per se, other than the parts list and notes? I've watched the assembly videos, but that's simply assembling/taking apart a completed unit. I think with multiple views of those and the pictures, as well as the parts list, I'm starting to get the idea. And I realize that improvisation will inevitable come into play.
The V.3 parts list says "for the pump and filter, and spacers, see V.2 list". From what I can tell, the spacers are just the cork things? I saw references somewhere about strong magnets, but I couldn't locate anything to tell what exactly they are or how to use them in conjunction with the cork. I am assuming a magnet goes on each side of the cork or something to hold the LPs tightly?
The filter and pump seem to be optional so one doesn't need to change the cleaning solution as often, is that correct?
What is the current preferred US unit? The ones being produced by Vibrato look pretty awesome, but honestly kind of pricey for me. Same for the Sonix, but I'll bite the bullet if there isn't an acceptable substitute. There's a bunch of different cleaners on Amazon (for instance), but I don't know how good they are.
Would I ideally want a 80KHz model, which in the case of the Vibrato, isn't much more than the 60KHz? I did see the chart and discussion about KHz vs. particle size, but I'm still unsure which to go for, all things being equal.
Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for any help.
- Mark
I am really not much of a DYI'er (at least, I've never built anything like this). I've read most of the 127-pages-and-counting over the past few days and it all looks quite daunting to me. But I am extremely impressed with the build quality of some of these units and the support by everyone here, so I am thinking I may give it a try.
A couple of basic questions to get me started - and I apologize if these are redundant, but I did read most of the thread I think, although folks keep coming in my office and interrupting me...go figure.
Anyway, obviously I want to use V.3 as my jumping-off point. Am I correct that there is no instruction/assembly manual per se, other than the parts list and notes? I've watched the assembly videos, but that's simply assembling/taking apart a completed unit. I think with multiple views of those and the pictures, as well as the parts list, I'm starting to get the idea. And I realize that improvisation will inevitable come into play.
The V.3 parts list says "for the pump and filter, and spacers, see V.2 list". From what I can tell, the spacers are just the cork things? I saw references somewhere about strong magnets, but I couldn't locate anything to tell what exactly they are or how to use them in conjunction with the cork. I am assuming a magnet goes on each side of the cork or something to hold the LPs tightly?
The filter and pump seem to be optional so one doesn't need to change the cleaning solution as often, is that correct?
What is the current preferred US unit? The ones being produced by Vibrato look pretty awesome, but honestly kind of pricey for me. Same for the Sonix, but I'll bite the bullet if there isn't an acceptable substitute. There's a bunch of different cleaners on Amazon (for instance), but I don't know how good they are.
Would I ideally want a 80KHz model, which in the case of the Vibrato, isn't much more than the 60KHz? I did see the chart and discussion about KHz vs. particle size, but I'm still unsure which to go for, all things being equal.
Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for any help.
- Mark
FWIW, there's a guy on eBay selling these, and I asked about the frequency - he didn't know but he checked with the factory (he's in China also) and they told him 80khz, believe it or not.
- Mark
cool but why your cost $675 ? is a little expensive I mean I know other ultrasonics for $250 are just 40KHz but... $675 + other materials to ultrasonic almost goes for $1000 ultrasonic machine.
I would suggest that you get pricing for 60khz and 80khz ultrasonics from other manufacturers with the same Digital Thermostat/Timer features as we have on our ultrasonic cleaners, rather than the standard 40khz Chinese-made ultrasonics.
It is very expensive to build custom ultrasonics on a small scale here in America, as we do.
Louis Steele
Vibrato, LLC.