A shell cleaning machine

[scotto]

The "UltraKleen Shell Cleaning Machine" found at Shell Lovers, Inc.

My Webpage

[babela]

I see the incredible before & after pictures of shells cleaned using the "UltraKleen Shell Cleaning Machine."

Anyone with personal experience using it?
Have you had similar results? Any cautionary notes?

[Russ]

Looks like a dental scaler. Maybe a veterinary unit.

I have not used one, but I think that it would help.

Now where did I put that $600?

Russ (pick in hand)

[babela]

Yep, it's a high price all right. Perhaps there is a chance one is available on e-bay for much cheaper. Meanwhile, will keep those picks close by. Bob

[cnb]

I have gotten great results with the UltraKleen unit. It still takes a bit of time and work, but I have been able to clean off all sorts of encrustations, including barnacles, much more thoroughly than I could with the old dental pick technique. It's also safer with fragile and small shells if you're careful.

The unit actually is a dental scaler.

[blackjack]

Hi,
l have to say, that's the nice machine. l using it for murex shells. and it's a good result always.
lf you'll buy it, please, say my best regards to Lee and Jan Kremer. They're good persons.
Eugene

[babela]

Dear Lee & Jan,

Thanks so much for the info.

I know of some collectors who have invested on a small, industrial-grade glass beader. Instead of using glass bead media, they use ground-up walnut shells with a specific grit. From what I've seen, the results are outstanding on many hard-to-clean muricids.

The down side? Likely cost. And room to park one of these babies...likely in a garage or some place with good ventilation.

The descaler appears to achieve equal results and I'd love to purchase one. Not just yet though, have to keep my budget balanced. Though it is on the 'wish' list.

Cheers,
Bob

[Marlo]

A thread from Conch-L, August 2009:

Andrew Grebneff wrote:

"I have been looking into ultrasonic scalers. These can do a marvellous job of removing encrustations from shells, especially spiny ones. They can also be used for some fossils.

The Chinese are making quite a few, and prices are WAY below US or European-made units.

For instance, Yunsheng Medical Instrument Co Ltd's Model YS-CS-A for special price of $156. Contact: Yuki Zhang <yunsheng262@gmail.com> YUNSHENG DENTAL

Nanjing Foinoe Equipment Co Ltd sells its Model-K for $140.00US, but for that price the minimum number of sets is 5. Tips are $2.00 each, minimum 10 (that's gotta be cheap!). Contact: Export Manager Bob Jiang <foinoe@gmail.com> Nanjing FoiNoe Co. Ltd . I see this same machine sold in New Zealand as Intop DDUSC 02 as well! I haven't bothered to find out the price... probably 3x the above for the same unit."

Marlo asked:

"Do you actually have the unit and does it work?"

Andrew answered:

"No, but I'm thinking about the Yunsheng.

The Nanjing/Intop I would assume works, or it wouldn't be advertised by a western equipment importer. I'd think the Yunsheng item works too, though I've only seen it on Yunsheng's site.

The issue with cheap... heck, and not-cheap too... equipment is reliability. How long will it last with frequent and possibly extended use? I can't say. But often enough cheap equipment can last as long as much more expensive items, especially if it's treated roughly."

Mike Gray then added:

"I have just received a price from the New Zealand importer.

For the Intop DDUSC 02 scaler, which is identical to the Nanjing Foinoe Woodpecker Model K (price exChina $170.00US), they want $1500NZ... about $1020US at yesterday's rate.

That's 5 TIMES the price. How can they justify that??

I might just ask them...of course they'll have an excuse, such as...
"Foinoe's is an inferior copy" or some such lie.

Ask your dentist if he has one he wants to get rid of. (Your dentist is also a great source of dental picks - he throws away dozens every month.)

And, btw, most dental hygienists are now using an ultrasonic pick to clean yer teeth. Might be really great for shells."

Carole Marshall then pointed out that:

"I am not positive, but I think COA members the Kramers sell them. I am not sure of the price and don't have enough shells to justify the expense, but I think I saw them demonstrate their product at a bourse. Maybe someone else knows more about this."

Note: The Kramers are the "Shell Lovers, Inc." linked, above.

Debbie Duval commented:

"I have purchased one of the Kramer's Ultrasonic scalers, and yes, it was expensive, but well worth the investment--to me there is no purpose in collecting all over the place, and then not really being able to appreciate the beauty of the shell. I'm very glad I took the plunge, (and it was a very hard decision). If you get in touch with Femorale Shells, you can get more information, as well as a 10% discount for the referral."

Andrew provided some more information:

"Ask your dentist if he has one he wants to get rid of. (Your dentist is also a great source of dental picks - he throws away dozens every month.)

Older units cannot be used dry. The transducer in the handpiece requires water for cooling, and if used dry will eventually fail...
not coincidentally becoming uncomfortably hot to hold!

Newer units with piezoceramic transducers apparently do not suffer from this problem and I'm told can be used dry, which is a necessity with many fossils."