This is our finalised DIY cleaner ‘kitset’ design.
It is a 3-piece ‘kitset’ designed for easy self-assembly, with only 4 screws.
An additional 3 screws attach a slow-rotating BBQ ‘rotisserie’ motor and the whole assembly fits neatly onto the top of a 6 Litre Ultrasonic Cleaner tank.
This is the finished Cleaner Kit installed onto the tank:
The DIY ‘kit’ consists of:
- 1.2mm stainless steel, precision laser-cut frame, 3 pieces.
- Stainless screws (4) & spring washers. (You just need a 2.5mm hex wrench (allen key) to assemble.)
- Stainless steel shaft with motor-drive coupler.
- Semi-soft record spacers (4).
- Clamp knobs (2).
- End bearing.
In order to be economical, we are beginning to make small batches of this kit, using machine-work where possible, minimising labour. (If interested, the cost at this time is US$135 + postage, from New Zealand, less than 1kg packed weight.)

(Note: The laser-burn marks visible on the steel plates are only on the protective plastic film.)
You will need to purchase:
- Ultrasonic Cleaner tank, model no. PS-30A (as pictured below, specify correct voltage for your country).
- BBQ rotisserie motor – there appears to be many variations of this China-made 2-rpm motor, However the critical dimensions are the positions of the fixing-holes & the motor-drive.

The type of rotisserie motor used in our device.
Note: To fit the 12″ records, the tank top length must not be less than 325mm & to accommodate the DIY kit, the tank top width must be not more than 176mm (6.9″).
The tank top dimensions of my tank are 325mm L x 176mm W (12.8″ x 6.9″).
This fitting is designed to hold (up to) 3 records at one time. However, 4 records can be cleaned, by adjusting the spacers & clamp knobs to ‘centre’ the records. Of course, you can also substitute thinner spacers and more records, but I prefer to have plenty of water space between records.

( 4 records loaded. )

Note how the detergent/surfactant creates a uniform fluid film over the entire record surface.
Here is a video of the cleaner (prototype) in operation:
Cleaning Fluid: I am currently using the following mixture:
- Filtered drinking quality water (you can use more pure distilled water if you wish, but I think it’s unnecessary ).
- Triton X-100 pure detergent/surfactant, 0.1% to 0.5% dilution in the water. (Pre-mix a 1% stock solution.) I hear that Tergitol is an equivalent product – (non-ionic, neutral pH) detergent with no additives.
Unless your records are very dirty, avoid using alcohol – we understand that such solvents tend to remove plasticisers from the vinyl. (Ref. US Library of Congress.)
If the records are extremely dirty, you could add some enzymatic cleaner.
Heating: At this stage, I am using no heating. A little heating will assist cleaning I believe, but I have not experimented yet. The ultrasonic ‘cavitation’ action actually heats the water a little, around +5deg C every cycle or two.
Cleaning time: I suggest starting with at least 15 minutes. Note that, as the records are rotating (2 rpm with this motor), the immersion time of inner grooves is less than outer grooves and both will be immersed for only a fraction of the cleaning time duration – approximately 1 minute and 3 minutes respectively, for inner and outer grooves. (See Long-Section diagram above.) So, 20 minutes (or even more) may be a good idea.
Drying : After cleaning, the records will naturally air- dry quite quickly because the surfactant forms a thin surface film. However it is probably a good idea to water-rinse them before drying.
Or, if you have a conventional vacuum record cleaner, it would be beneficial to vacuum-dry the record. (Using a clean vacuum brush or nozzle of course.)
Enjoy!
See also Ultrasonic record cleaning Pt 1.
Pingback: Ultrasonic record cleaning Pt 1 | D a r k L a n t e r n
Nice project, what is the size (dia) of the central shaft ? Thanks.
Hi keeper – thanks.
The record hole is 7.25mm approx.
We use a M6 (metric 6mm) threaded stainless steel rod.
Cheers, Owen
Thanks my friend, I like your setup – love it. Trying to make one as shipping charges to India would be double the cost of the item ! Please advice me on the spacers – where to get them ?
I Would Like to buy a Kit Please.. Would you be able to send a Link to the correct BBQ Motor? What would be the total price + shipping to the US? Thanks let me know how to complete the order.
Hi JB – at current exchange rates, the price is still US$159 incl airmail to continental USA.
We’ve just received lasercuts & most parts for more batches of kits.
Either (i) PM me from the DarkLantern forum page – http://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/147/ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machines?page=14
Or (ii) email me oyoung@orcon.net.nz.
Thanks for looking in.
Cheers, Owen
Hi Bebashis – our spacers are plastic, from a local supplier.
We can ship a kit to India for US$135 + 25 postage.
Cheers, Owen
Hi, this looks like a very good set. How and where can I buy it?
Regards, Joerg
Hi Joerg – depending on your country, I think we can airmail 1 kit to Europe for US$160 including airmail postage (or Euro127). We can use Paypal transaction. Package size will be 38.5 x 25 x 8.5cm, weight 1.1kg.
Feel free to ask any questions.
Regards, Owen
Hi Owen,
Price and arrangements to supply to Toowoomba please. I’m sold.
Thanks for your effort in producing it for others to use too.
Tim
Hi Tim – cost of the ‘kit’ to Australia is A$175.
Airmail postage is A$15 (Courier A$30 if preferred).
We have a couple remaining in this 4th batch.
Ask any questions.
If you wish to order, you can PM me on the DarkLantern forum – http://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/147/ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machines?page=14
There is also a StereoNet thread page.
Or, I can email you directly.
Cheers – Owen
Hi – I’m in the US, Florida, what would be the cost to ship a kit here postal code 33756? Also what’s your paypal email for payment? I’m interested in doing 4 LPs at a time.
Hello Lee – apologies for delay getting back to you.
At current exch rates, we could send a kit by Internat. Airmail to anywhere in continental USA for US$165 incl. shipping.
(However we have sold out of our 2nd batch & parts will be around 3wks away.)
If interested, i suggest securing the US cleaner tank & rotisserie motor first..
The tanks can comfortably fit 3 records at a time & 4 records is possible with some adjustment – see ‘Citroen’s 11 July post on this local forum page – http://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/147/ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machines?page=12
Feel free to ask any other Qs.
Regards, Owen
The Ultrasonic Cleaner tank you show is Tank size: 300 x 155 x 150 mm (L x W x H) or 11 3/4″ × 6″ × 6 ” (L x W x H) which won’t fit a 12″ record. Where did you get the 325mm L x 176mm W (12.8″ x 6.9″) tank?
Hello Lee – the tank that I use is from ebay, a ‘6 Liter’ tank, model no ‘PS-30A’ , eg….
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Stainless-Steel-6-L-Liter-Industry-Heated-Ultrasonic-Cleaner-Heater-w-Timer-/182689771867?hash=item2a8928b15b:g:bUUAAOSwa2lZfJMQ
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-Steel-6L-Liter-Industry-Heated-Ultrasonic-Cleaner-Heater-w-Timer-110V-/400637527765?epid=7003304865&hash=item5d47db86d5:g:V1cAAOSwknJXx6Nz
LP record dimension – the record only sits into the tank up to near its record label (see diagram above), so the tank internal length of 300mm is just adequate (with approx 4mm clearance ea end).
Regards, Owen
Hi Owen, looks great! Where are you buying your Triton X-100 from? Cheers, Jeremy
Hi Jeremy – thanks – I have sourced from a local supplier (in NZ) but you should be able to buy from ebay, eg. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Triton-X-100-Tech-Grade-Choose-Your-Size-985X-/191584738397
Owen
when will you have a unit available please? I note that you are recommending the 6L tank as opposed to the 10L. Are you aware the 10L tank is a higher wattage unit, which reduces the time per cleaning cycle?
Hi John – where are you located? To date, we have supplied around 30 kits, but only to Australia & NZ. Our fitting is dimensioned to fit this ‘6L’ tank model no. PS-30A. I have not found it necessary to use heating, with the detergent/surfactant cleaning mixture & around 25mins cleaning cycle – bear in mind that with the rotation & partial immersion, the inner groove area receives only a few mins total immersion over a 25min cycle.
Some NZ forum discussion is here – http://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/147/ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machines?page=14
Australian forum here – https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/120698-diy-ultrasonic-record-cleaner/
Hi, when can I order a kit and have it shipped to Sweden?
Hi Nick – we have some ‘kits’ here from our 3rd batch & I can email to you a cost + postage cost (packed weight is only 1kg). You will need also (i) a 6 Litre Ultrasonic cleaner tank model PS-30A (ii) Rotisserie motor. – Cheers, Owen
Hi, I’d like to get a kit shipped to New York, USA. Do you have any available? if so, how can I place an order?
Hi Matthew – we’ve just shipped out the last of our 3rd batch of ‘kits’
It is likely that we will prepare a 4th batch soon.
I can keep you updated by email.
Owen
Thanks. Please keep me posted.
Hey,
please send me information about the cost of shipping to Poland?
Could you send me a link where I can buy a BBQ rotisserie motor?
Regards,
Tomek
Hi Tomek – At current exchange rates, the price including airmail postage to Europe is Euro127. (We sent one to Sweden recently – 12 days.)
I will email you a link for the rotisserie motor, if I can find one near you.
Let me know if I can help further.
Regards, Owen
Pingback: Ultrasonic Record Cleaning Machine – Jeremy Young Design
Hi Owen, I’d like to purchase a kit. Can you let me know if there are kits available and how I can order one? I’m in Melbourne Australia.
Hi Nick – Thanks for looking in.
We are still shipping our 4th batch presently.
You can either (i) PM me from the DarkLantern forum page – http://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/147/ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machines?page=14 (ii) email me oyoung@orcon.net.nz.
I will provide you with costs, postage costs & any other info required.
Cheers, Owen
Thank you, will do.
Hey mate I would be keen on a kit for the next batch I’m just in Tauranga great work on this project was almost about to bite the bullet and purchase a off the shelf cleaner until I came across this
Hi Josh – no problem, we are currently still shipping our 5th batch.
Will email you with full details.
Latest news can be seen on our DarkLantern forum thread here – http://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/147/ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machine?page=10
Thanks – Owen
Hi it looks like you may have the mechanicals as a as a kit. Is this correct, can I buy a kit and what would the cost be including freight to 2650 NSW, Australia be please. Thanking you.
Hello clarketraeger110247524 – Thanks for the message. The kit is still A$175 + postage – options are Air Parcel A$16 (reliable to date) or tracked Courier A$32.
We are shipping our 5th batch presently. If OK, just email me your postal name/address & we’ll have one packed for you in a couple of days. Also your email for Paypal – the payment request will be sent only after are packed ready to ship. – Cheers, Owen
Should I reply here – I haven’t been able to get a response so far ?
I didn’t want to leave my details available for public view.
Hello clarketraeger110247524 – sorry, your email does not appear to be linked to the above username.
However, you can Private Mail me your email address at either of the forums below (you will need to register first):
http://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/147/ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machine?page=10
https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/120698-our-diy-ultrasonic-record-cleaner/?page=40
I will keep a lookout for your details.
Thanks, Owen
Hi Owen,
If the kit still available could you please let me know the price incl. shipping cost to Hawthorn VIC 3122, Australia.
Cheers,
Mike
Hi Mike – thanks for contacting.
Price is still A$175 + postage.
Postage options are (i) A$16 airmail (ii) A$32 courier.
To date, airmail has been reliable, 4-12 days delivery time to AU states.
You can Private Mail me your email address at either of these forums:
http://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/147/ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machine?page=10
https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/120698-our-diy-ultrasonic-record-cleaner/?page=40
Cheers, Owen