Can-less air - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2014, 11:54:48 pm
content: http://www.canlessair.com/I'm not quite ready to install a compressor in the lab, and I'm sick of buying "canned air" for cleaning thing. So I came across this.Anyone try it?

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 12:09:11 am
content: Get a small vacuum and attach a small diameter hose to the outlet. Same effect, more utility, no charging.

author: Bukurat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 12:40:37 am
content: All that dust has to go somewhere. I prefer it not to be in my workshop so I carry the chassis outside and use the compressor that lives in the garage.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 12:50:54 am
content: instead of a puny canister sized item, why not just gohttps://www.metrovacworld.com/DataVac_Electric_Duster?if 500W isn't enough, it has a big brother:https://www.metrovacworld.com/Air_Force_Blaster_Industrial_MB-3IND/overviewI have the the datavac and it works well for me, except that it has a tendency to suck in the dust it dislodged if you hold it too close to your target/victim.

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 01:19:01 am
content: Quote from: Bukurat on August 29, 2014, 12:40:37 amFor dusty computers a leaf blower is much more effectiveMy uses are more along the lines of blowing IPA off of boards after cleaning flux off. Not dust.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 01:26:19 am
content: Quote from: george graves on August 29, 2014, 01:19:01 amUse a hot air tool to evaporate it quickly.

author: RobertHolcombe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 06:54:08 am
content: I have one, the output is not as high pressure as a aerosol duster, I figure its due to the large diameter of the output tubeI've thought about finding/making a step down nozzle but haven't got around to itIt certainly does work for dispersing IPA, however I have a 858D+ on my work bench so I rarely use it for that

author: Allan88
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 07:28:18 am
content: I never head about this before. Looking forward for my office as well as home computer keyboards. If it looks as good as it sounds I will have to get it.

author: TriodeTiger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 09:59:21 am
content: i could be wrong, but I've heard somewhere (and have experienced) anything with a motor and dry air making quite a bit of static.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 10:49:17 am
content: Quote from: TriodeTiger on August 29, 2014, 09:59:21 amThat's why they offer an ESD variant:http://www.canlessair.com/Buy-Canless-Air-System-O2-Hurricane

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 10:56:12 am
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on August 29, 2014, 10:49:17 amAny clue on what they add to make it EDS safe?

author: TriodeTiger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 11:01:31 am
content: Quote from: george graves on August 29, 2014, 10:56:12 amI'm guessing an ESD safe plastic, on whatever moves the air.

author: RobertHolcombe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 11:28:50 am
content: I didn't realise there were different models, canlessair.com.au only sell the industrial version which is what I have

author: eb4eqa
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 11:40:41 am
content: I have it and I do like it. It is VERY noisy and not as powerful as a new can but that's the Price you pay for the convenience.It runs on NiCd batteries (with a simple trickle charger) and has a brushed motor . One time I thought about hacking it with a brushless motor and LiIon batteries but I doubt it's worth the trouble. It actually does work fine as it is.Ah, and my four year old son loves to blow air on his face with itI'd buy one again if necessary.Regards.Roberto EB4EQA

author: wagon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 11:59:31 am
content: I've got an air compressor with a 150l tank and 5hp motor. Lotsa air, no crappy little cans, no dust, no nuttin'.

author: commongrounder
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 12:53:30 pm
content: I have an air compressor in my woodworking shop. I use it to charge a seven gallon portable air tank with filtered air, to about 100 psi. That comes into my electronics shop. I use a pressure regulator set at about 30-40 psi for the blower nozzle. I just use my Datavac ESD free vacuum to capture the airborne dust as it comes off of the device I'm cleaning. It's a good system for me.

author: tjb1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 01:00:19 pm
content: Quote from: wagon on August 29, 2014, 11:59:31 amYeah, something about 5x more expensive then this. Not to mention the space that it takes and energy to run. I wish forums could stay on topic and talk about the original post rather then recommend something ridiculous.I'm sure many others as well as myself are interested in any experiences with the can-less air as the first post mentioned.

author: wagon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 01:30:57 pm
content: Quote from: tjb1 on August 29, 2014, 01:00:19 pmI don't think it's off-topic.... and it's what I have in my workshop! It's really handy, I can have a rattle-gun, die-grinder, tyre inflator, degreaser gun, air duster, etc. all run off the same machine. It uses very little energy, since I run the pump for maybe 10minutes a week on average to fill the tank, then turn it off at the tap : so it costs about 20cents a week for electricity. The tank will have usable air in it for about a week if I'm only using it for blowing things off, the big airtools run through lots of air. If I get a large piece of equipment in for repair, like a big electric fence unit or an electronic organ, the big machine is great and very efficient. I'd go broke if I used those little cans of air.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 01:33:13 pm
content: Quote from: tjb1 on August 29, 2014, 01:00:19 pmBlimey, I was just going to suggest 50x more expensive is more realistic, then I looked at the price of the thing.I have a smaller 50l 2hp air compressor that was only £69.99 (AUD $125) brand new, lots of accessories. I know what I would sooner spend the money on!

author: Joule Thief
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 01:34:27 pm
content: http://www.zoro.com/i/G1041171/?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google_Shopping_Feed&gclid=CjwKEAjwyYCgBRCMmbWl5beV_RQSJABESqHAzUTzxzbE0oz_W1N0bN-5SYgUaGzn4qiooGNt8LAT4xoC5y_w_wcBof course, just don't fill it with any liquids if canned air is all you require

author: wagon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 01:39:20 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on August 29, 2014, 01:33:13 pmHey, it came with the workshop! My shed was a mechanical workshop before I moved in, and the big compressor stayed in the corner. They're a couple of grand to buy new I suppose, but not my problem, since I rent the joint.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 03:57:39 pm
content: I have thought about getting a small oilless air compressor intended for air brushes to use in lieu of canned air. One thing to be aware of with large air compressors is that unless they are oilless, steps should be taken to prevent spraying the target with oil. Condensed water can also be a problem.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 05:56:07 pm
content: That is why you get an oil coalescing filter and follow that with a 0.5 micron filter to remove the oil mist and water droplets from the output air. If you really need dry air you have to use a drier to condense the water out, either a PSA drier or a refrigerant system, and follow that with a sub micron oil filter to get the last small particles out.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 06:18:35 pm
content: Quote from: David Hess on August 29, 2014, 03:57:39 pmYeah, there is a drain screw for the water on my little 50l compressor. I've never noticed a problem with oil or water using the air-blaster. The heavier tools like air-hammer-wrench, etc. need seperate oiling with a couple of drops of light machine oil and that stuff tends to leak out onto my hands a bit.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 06:26:20 pm
content: Using the oilless compressor just simplifies having to deal with the possibility of oil in the air line.Using a refrigerated dryer or PSA dryer is not going to be economical for most individuals so filtering and desiccation if necessary are the way to go.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2014, 07:22:09 pm
content: 1+ on the datavac. Yes, it can generate static in dry climates but the convenience and power of mains powered blower can't be beat. It cleans very very quickly relative to canned air. Also blow dries after cleaning, speeds paint drying and many other things.In the islands it blows bugs away without killing them. Great handheld 'leaf blower' too for clearing out small patios.As far as shooting dust all over the place, that's the same thing with canned air. Datavac has more power than the rechargeable battery unit and will last far longer as engineering wise its 'derated': the motor is far too strong for its purpose. As for sucking dirt back into the air filter of the datavac yes, but the filter is so easy to clean, just buy more filters, wash one, use another, you can cut them out of foam sponges. It has so much power that if the filter fouls it still blows like a typhoon. To avoid dust do the blowing outdoors or turn on a vacuum cleaner simultaneously to take in what the datavac pushes out. I find it well worth the $50 I paid.Quote from: Fsck on August 29, 2014, 12:50:54 am

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2014, 12:57:45 pm
content: I never like the idea of blowing high pressure air into a nest full of dust. I prefer to use my lungs for filtering rosin smoke.I use an antistatic brush and hepa vacuum cleaner when i need to clean. I understand that high pressure air gun with a compressor tank can reach many places where a brush can't but I like to keep my workplace clean even if it's the shed.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2014, 02:22:39 pm
content: Quote from: nukie on August 30, 2014, 12:57:45 pmI do not either but that is what the outside is for.

author: Leuams
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2014, 04:26:09 pm
content: I bought one of these:https://www.metrovacworld.com/DataVac_Electric_DusterIt plugs into the wall so no need to worry about batteries and it has plenty of power (a true hurricane). Just use it outside and go to town. I clean all my desktops and laptops with this.

author: sotos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2014, 05:47:26 am
content: I have one of these, they are very powerful.http://www.ebay.com/itm/ELECTRIC-BLOWER-AND-VACUUM-13000-rpm-DUST-LEAF-CLEANER-/270823827295?pt=Leaf_Blowers&hash=item3f0e5ba75f

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2014, 06:10:07 pm
content: It looks great, I would have liked to have used that instead, as its cheaper. But reviews of this made-in-China item say performance and quality can be very varied. The datavac has the right nozzles and accessories for doing canned air like work and like Dremel, most all parts to rebuild it are available for DIY maintenance.http://www.amazon.com/CMT-Portable-Blower/dp/B0049L0T0C#cm_cr_dpwidgethttps://www.metrovacworld.com/catalog/Data_VacQuote from: sotos on August 31, 2014, 05:47:26 am

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2014, 04:43:06 am
content: Smallpancake type air compressorsare portable and cheap. They work great for blowing out electronics. Once you have one you find all kinds of other uses as well.