We sat down with Shawn Albert, Stuller’s Tools Product Manager, to get the 411 on our new gadget, the Elma StullerSonic Cleaner. Shawn has been with Stuller for over 20 years now, so it’s safe to say he knows a thing or two.
What is a StullerSonic?
It’s an ultrasonic . . .
Well, what is an Ultrasonic?
An ultrasonic is used to clean jewelry. It vibrates and heats up, dissolving the rouge that has built up from polishing a piece.
What makes StullerSonic different from others on the market?
Most significantly, the warranty. The warranty on the Stullersonic is a huge benefit. If it breaks within 90 days, we will replace it for free.
From the 91st day up until the two-year mark, if your StullerSonic breaks, we will send you a new one the next day while we wait to receive your broken machine. You’ll only be without an ultrasonic for a day so you won’t have to stop your work. Once we receive the broken StullerSonic, we’ll check out the problem. We’ll credit your account for the new ultrasonic, minus $50.
What if I have a temper tantrum and throw it out the window?
That won’t be covered.
Okay. Good to know. How dependable is the StullerSonic?
There are cases where we’ve seen someone have issues with other brands of ultrasonics. The standard lifecycle of an ultrasonic is about five to seven years. You’re messing around with electricity, chemicals, and water!
Yikes.
Right, it’s not the best combination. So eventually, the machine wears out. That being said, the StullerSonic is very dependable. It’s been sent out there in the real world to be tested and we’re very happy with the reviews. I’ll read you one testimonial from David White at Aucoin Hart Jewelers.
“I think we’ve had the first prototype since December. I’ve been on a mission to break it, burn it up, and push it to its limits. We’ve had the [Stuller] ultrasonic running at least eight hours a day. Hardly any etching of the tank, which is usually caused by cavitation and corrosive cleaners. The tank is solid. It gets so hot you can just about boil crawfish with it. No bells and whistles, just a simple cleaning machine that removes polishing compounds extremely fast and works as hard as you need it to. For the price, I don’t know of a better machine out there. The shop is extremely impressed.”
** Note: Do not actually try to boil crawfish in your StullerSonic. It’s not covered under the warranty.
The StullerSonic sounds like a durable, reliable tool with Stuller support behind it. Thanks, for the info Shawn!
How often do you use an ultrasonic during the course of the day? Share your experiences here.