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Sharper Image UltraSonic Cleaner

A

Anonymous

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Do these things really work well for coins? I saw an earlier post and it got me interested. I've heard people say don't use it on anything but silver and others say you can use it on copper just not very old copper. So what's the story?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=67720&item=4977025690&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V
Funny how its Sharper Image who's selling these on Ebay for 39.95 but they sell it at the full 89.95 retail price on their main website.
Jeremy
 
I have a smaller one and for silver or gold rings it works decent, but for silver coins it dont do much and for copper it dont do anything. I beleive these are made more for jewelry with the small cracks and crevises a brush dont get into.
Rick
 
I've never had a bit of success with the ultrasonic approach. They come out pretty much like they went in. Here is a great way to clean some things. Most items in fact except coins, relics, or high end jewelry that may have value as it comes from the ground. The picture is called a "grit blaster". It's actually a miniature sand blaster that is mostly used by model railroad builders. At first you might think the sand would destroy the item. Not so. You can get crushed walnut shells about the consistency of fine sand that will remove dirt without even scratching the surface. I use fine glass beads on most items. If you over use or over power the spray it will leave a grainy surface so it's like painting with a spray gun. You have to practice it a few times to get the hang of it and then you can bring old crusty items back to a decent, presentable level. Hey, it's not the end all and has to be used right but I guarantee you won't believe what you can do with it. Some sprays are so fine you can take the patina off copper without etching the metal. I haven't seen anyone else mention this thing on one of the forums. I use it discriminately and it works. I don't recommend sellers I haven't used and Micro Mark Tools where I got mine doesn't carry them anymore. Type in "Microlux Power Tools" into your search bar and you will get sellers that may be in your area and you can go look at one. In the picture the tank at left holds the grit, an alligator clip inside the glass holds the item, and the tube at right blows the grit as you direct it. Hope you find it as much fun as I do on many items. Practice with it first.
 
Here are some before, during, and after photos of coins cleaned with a sharper image ultrasonic jewelry cleaner.
I picked two good coins for the test, a barber quarter and a wheat cent. Both were well rinsed in the kitchen sink, the wheat was actually scrubbed a bit.
NOTE: I only left them in the machine for about 10 seconds, normally the cycle runs for 5 minutes.
Here is the front of the quarter before cleaning...
<img src="http://www.detectorgear.com/pics/coincleaning/qbeforefront.jpg" alt="" />
Here is front after, POOF the dirt is gone! Pretty good for only 10 seconds in the machine. This is what an ultrasonic cleaner will do for you on silver, it will get rid of the dirt without damaging the coin. It will NOT remove the tarnish and make the coin shiny, thats coin doctoring step 2, step 1 is to get the dirt off so you don't scratch it, thats what these machines will do.
<img src="http://www.detectorgear.com/pics/coincleaning/quarterafterfront.jpg" alt="" />
 
Here is the back of the quarter before cleaning...
<img src="http://www.detectorgear.com/pics/coincleaning/qbeforeback.jpg" alt="" />
Here is back after, there is still some dirt inside "United States" but most of it is gone. Another minute or so in the machine would get rid of that.
<img src="http://www.detectorgear.com/pics/coincleaning/quarterafterback.jpg" alt="" />
 
Here is the wheat cent before cleaning...
<img src="http://www.detectorgear.com/pics/coincleaning/wheatbefore.jpg" alt="" />
Here is wheat cent after, the dirt is gone but the crusty stuff remains, note some chipping of the green patina around the rim. There was some before but now theres more. Warm hydrogen peroxide is a better method of cleaning the coppers.
<img src="http://www.detectorgear.com/pics/coincleaning/wheatafter.jpg" alt="" />
 
Here are some pics of cleaning in action all taken within the first few seconds of starting the machine. Note how the dirt flys off, then continues to break down and disperse in the water.
<img src="http://www.detectorgear.com/pics/coincleaning/clean1.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.detectorgear.com/pics/coincleaning/clean2.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.detectorgear.com/pics/coincleaning/clean3.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.detectorgear.com/pics/coincleaning/clean4.jpg" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.detectorgear.com/pics/coincleaning/clean5.jpg" alt="" />
 
Nice. Although it does appear like your second pic is a lighter overall. I can see how it removed the dirt though. The problem is always getting the coin clean without leaving it looking like it has been cleaned.
Maybe I'll get one.
 
I never used this particular type Ultrasonic so maybe it works better than the cheapies I tried.
 
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