Cleaning out the dust

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waikariboy

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#150597 28-Jul-2014 07:53

So im looking at getting a air compressor to clean out the dust in my case. But im unsure about the type i should be getting. Don't want anything big something small but enough power to what i want. ideas?

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#1096861 28-Jul-2014 08:10

For extended cleaning using an air-gun, unfortunately the bigger the compressor the better. I use an inexpensive 120l/m cheap direct drive compressor (Supercheap Black Ridge brand) which has (IIRC) about a 40l tank. It's barely enough to blow out the interior of a car - need to stop several times to let it come up to pressure. I have been using it for blowing dust from surfaces when sanding/painting etc, but in that case it's only blowing for a few seconds.
I've just bought a compact electric/battery blower - waiting for it to be delivered. I suspect that's going to be more useful than the compressor for such jobs.

Edit to say - I misread "my case" as "my cars" - doh.
What case? For blowing out a toolbox/instrument case etc - one of the small cheap compressors as above would be absolutely fine.

Inphinity

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#1096862 28-Jul-2014 08:26

You could just get a can of air if it's a one off, probably cheaper, assuming whatever case it is is relatively small.

Dynamic

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#1096866 28-Jul-2014 08:38

That seems like an expensive way to clean one PC. A can of air is relatively expensive, but so id having a compressor in the garage not being used.

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gzt

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#1096893 28-Jul-2014 09:25

Imho can of air used carefully. Just regard it as an operating expense. It is only worthwhile if done regularly.

ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#1096910 28-Jul-2014 09:55

Good idea when using compressed air to clean out your PC is having a vacuum cleaner nozzle nearby to suck away the dust cloud. If you're careful a can of air will clean out a lot of PCs, or one PC a lot of times.

DKe

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#1096911 28-Jul-2014 09:57

I use this: https://www.camera-camera.com/lenses-and-accessories/lens-accessories/lens-cleaners/sky-digi-super-blower.html for a small space/area.

For more power or larger area, then I use a small air compressor similar to what the others have said.

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timmmay

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#1096912 28-Jul-2014 09:57

What case? Violin case, PC case, etc.

waikariboy

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#1096966 28-Jul-2014 10:27

Have used can of air in the past and wasnt happy with the results, not look at getting a 1200$ compressor something around 100-150$. Just after some details like how powerful it would need to be.

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Dynamic

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#1096972 28-Jul-2014 10:35

waikariboy: Have used can of air in the past and wasnt happy with the results, not look at getting a 1200$ compressor something around 100-150$. Just after some details like how powerful it would need to be.

Anything requiring two hands to lift (with an air tank) will be fine. The motor charges up the tank so you have a good few squirts before the engine kicks in once more to top up the tank.

They are really noisy, so we charge our tank up and then when the motor stops we switch the jolly thing off.

The instructions should tell you, but remember to empty the tank when done, otherwise condensation forms and the tank rusts from the inside out.

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waikariboy

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#1097019 28-Jul-2014 11:58

Dynamic:
waikariboy: Have used can of air in the past and wasnt happy with the results, not look at getting a 1200$ compressor something around 100-150$. Just after some details like how powerful it would need to be.

Anything requiring two hands to lift (with an air tank) will be fine. The motor charges up the tank so you have a good few squirts before the engine kicks in once more to top up the tank.

They are really noisy, so we charge our tank up and then when the motor stops we switch the jolly thing off.

The instructions should tell you, but remember to empty the tank when done, otherwise condensation forms and the tank rusts from the inside out.

Cheers.

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gzt

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#1097206 28-Jul-2014 16:12

Dynamic:

How do you ensure water moisture (and oil to a lesser degree) are minimised?

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Dynamic

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#1097218 28-Jul-2014 16:22

gzt:
Dynamic:

How do you ensure water moisture (and oil to a lesser degree) are minimised?

Any compressor with a tank (in my experience) will have a valve on the bottom that you can loosen to let the air and any moisture drain. Our compressor is used only once a week, and a note I put on it indicates the valve should be left open when finished.

I suspect this is even more important with cheap imported compressors as the tank walls are likely to be thinner.

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gzt

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#1097231 28-Jul-2014 16:36

Imho that is not going to do it, it's just built up condensation inside the compressor. Imho if you are using something like that you need a decent oil and decent mositure filter on the output. The other option is the expensive kind of compressor built for oil free and moisture free operation.

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#1097261 28-Jul-2014 17:39

On a practical note, it is fun blowing air through a fan but do it only briefly a few times or else you will either kill the bearing or snap off a fin - been there done that.

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#1097379 28-Jul-2014 19:24

Niel: On a practical note, it is fun blowing air through a fan but do it only briefly a few times or else you will either kill the bearing or snap off a fin - been there done that.

Might be fun. But, I wouldn't do that at all.

You don't want to mess up your CPU fan.

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