PC Cleaning tools

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SiegeWulf

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#258607 12-Oct-2019 13:49

Hi guys,

I am looking at what to get for air-cleaning PC's as I am re-building Laptops and Desktops regularly.

I wanted to know if anyone has tried an Airbrush without paint in to blow things clean?

I have been looking for small compressor type things but cannot find anything small enough at a reasonable price.

Thoughts? And would I need to worry about water/static from an airbrush?

JWR

821 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2336210 13-Oct-2019 10:57

I got one of these Small compressor

Its good for PCs and other small jobs e.g. pumping up tires etc..

But, wait till they are on sale.

I got mine for about $110.00 with hose and small kit of attachments.

SiegeWulf

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2336224 13-Oct-2019 11:40

Thank you! That is a pretty good option. I'd add a water trap - but that's no biggie.

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#2336630 14-Oct-2019 10:48

I have a similar Super Cheap compressor

https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/blackridge-blackridge-air-compressor-direct-drive-2.0hp-105lpm/545695.html
issues were , the tank drain taps failing , connector came off the hose and rust .

My one's tank rusted under the paint , much of the paint on the tank bubbled off . I had to spend hours stripping paint & removing the rust before it got really bad.
By a spare drain tap, they are really cheap .
Cant complain given what it cost & it still works after many years.

They arnt designed to be run continuously for long periods though . Perfect for occasional use.

Gordy7

1906 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#2336675 14-Oct-2019 11:46

This one from Bunnings also seems like a good option with extra gauges, a regulator and a quick fit connection...

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/ozito-24l-1-5hp-oil-free-air-compressor_p00318050

Gordy

My first ever AM radio network connection was with a 1MHz AM crystal(OA91) radio receiver.

qwertee

709 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2336740 14-Oct-2019 12:28

Might pay to buy an antistatic brush to reach areas to loosen up caked dust.

SirHumphreyAppleby

2844 posts

Uber Geek

#2336742 14-Oct-2019 12:28

Water is definitely a concern with an air compressor. At the very least I would use a water trap at the tool end and empty the compressor after you finish using it.

The cheap Tooline from Mitre 10 ($199) claims to be able to deliver much more air than the Ozito, so I'd look at that if you are willing to go to a 24L unit. I have one. It's a toy compared even to my 50L belt drive compressor (itself a toy compared to industrial units), but it's sufficient for running most basic tools.

Neither of my compressors are used for cleaning PCs.

karni

50 posts

Geek

#2336745 14-Oct-2019 12:50

I got this one from the Tool Shed on sale for around $150 and a box of attachments so it does everything from bike tyres to cleaning off my mitre saw 😀

Equinox IT

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1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#2336820 14-Oct-2019 14:41

Having a regulator to drop the pressure when cleaning PC's would be a bonus , or just hold it further away.
You'll want to do it outside, the amount of dust when blowing out old PC's is insane.

Be very careful with the fans, even hold the fan with finger to stop it spinning if possible.
The other option is a vacuum cleaner and a paint brush , that works really well, but not as thorough as compressed air.

The Ozito linked above: "Air tools shown sold separately" . :-)

K8Toledo

1014 posts

Uber Geek

#2336888 14-Oct-2019 17:06

Well I always clean with vacuum cleaner although purists will decry their use around PC's... Main drawback for me is the hoses are generally too big to clean out knooks & crannies.

Personally I did experience problems with paint brushes, years ago while cleaning an X1950XT PCB I knocked off one of the capacitors. YMMV...