@oberoniaomnia Exactly what I do. None of the records I get are terribly messy, but I use the ProJect for the messier ones, and an ultrasonic for for the others. I do both at once, but always vacuum the US ones on the ProJect rather than air dry or spin dry or blow dry or whatever the US offers. Once in awhile one that goes through the US sounds crackly, I redo that on the RCM and it always sounds better, which leads me to believe it gets tougher stuff. I use the AI #6 solution on the RCM and the Humminguru drops in the US.
Vacuum Record Cleaner Rreplacement
I get most of my records from from garage sales and such, and they are typically pretty dirty. My record cleaning protocol is to run them through the vacuum record cleaner then the ultrasonic cleaner. If they have fingerprints or mold I’ll put them through the Neil Antin’s method. I’ve done it this way for years with good results.
Unfortunately, my venerable Music Hall WCS-2 needs a new cleaning wand and I’ve been told from numerous sources that the parts are no longer available. I started the hunt for a new vacuum cleaner and found a suitable replacement. Before I pull the trigger, I wanted to determine if I really need a vacuum cleaner if I’m using the ultrasonic. I’ve used both cleaners in succession more from habit than any practical reason, though I’ve convinced myself that the vacuum cleaner gets the big chunks off first and the ultrasonic does the fine, deep cleaning. I don’t know if this is true or not.
I’d like to know the thoughts of the group. I’m more than happy to buy another vacuum cleaner, but could always put that money toward something else if it is not needed.
Thanks in advance for your help.
- ...
- 85 posts total
@jrcotner Re gunk remaining in US bath, don't know. What I do know is that when I empty the US bath after a few cycles, initially there is some brownish sauce coming out of the machine. So US does remove stuff, and much of that stuff settles to the very bottom. There is likely some gunk still in the water. When I do a lot of vacuuming, the removed water also has some color to it. As I have a vacuum I use it. Any worries about residual detergent is unwarranted as detergent molecules are a few Angstrom (= 10exp-10 m) "thick" and after vacuuming there are only scattered molecules remaining, not a film. Average "thickness" of film is <<1 Angstrom. I also notice quieter record with US rather than just vac. |
Oberon, your science around molecular size may be correct but I hear a big difference between rinsing with distilled water and not rinsing, after washing with a nonionic detergent and drying before rinse, using my HW17. And that difference is very much in favor of water rinsing then vacuuming a second time |
@oberoniaomnia re: Naia, thank you for your reply. I'll keep looking. I have a collection of TTs. Definitely am interested in Naia if one comes along. |
I see an experiment on the horizon. Prepare a microscopic slide of the distilled water prior to using in the ultrasonic machine to determine the amount of particulate per square millimeter or whatever unit is most suitable). Clean five records, draw another water sample and check under the microscope. Repeat after every five records until you reach saturation or you get bored. That would settle the question of how much particulate is suspended in the ultrasonic bath water, not to mention how often you should change the water. Would require pretty good microscope |
- 85 posts total