Air compressor recommendation to remove computer dust?

[HGC]

Is anyone using one they like? Can you get them at Walmart? How about one that might do double duty inflating auto tires?

Thanks very much for any ideas.

 

[bendixG15]

i use the wet-n-dry vac..works great.

 

[corkyg]

Blowing dust around doesn't really clean anything - it just moves it from one place to another.

My method of cleaning out my computer is to open it up once a month and wipe it dow internally with a "Swiffer" of "Grab-It" throw away cloth. They hold the dust and actually remove it.

And, about every six months I use this tool set. It works beautifully - and is especially good at cleaning keyboards. and system fans.

Suction

 

[pkme2]

I use an old Craftman's mini-compressor that has 40psi air gun. It does the job.
My friend who has a computer store uses a 30 gallon air compressor to blow out dust from customers' rigs.
My friend uses a 12v tire inflator for the same purpose too. It takes a little longer, but if you have the time, it gets ......

 

[NucEm]

I take the system outside and use air hose from a compressor. A computer tech told me that using an air hose may damage the circuit board because the air was not dry air. Well, that may be correct but I've never had a failure from compressor air. I did buy several cans of 3M Dust Remover (Sam's Club) and I've found that it doesn't work as well as compressor. The compressor air is under more pressure and greater volume than the can air. The other thing with the can air is the temperature drops as the air expands. This will cool the component you're using it on. The moisture in the air tends to condense on the cooled part. So my experience shows that the canned air will produce more moisture on the system than the compressor air.

As far as blowing dust around, corkyg is correct if you're trying to keep a clean environment. But what you're generally trying to do is get the dust buildup away from the heat sinks and system fans. So blow it out and have suction close by or do it outside. I've seen more systems fail because of dust buildup on/in the heat sinks.

 

[thescreensavers]

I just use a hair dryer on the cool setting gets the job done cheap period.

 

[HGC]

Thought I'd revive this old thread as I found something new, to me at least, that I like very much.

The mini shop vac you can get at Walmart has an accessory called the Micro Kit. It has five different heads designed for computers and electronics. Costs $14.95 and fits any normal vacuum cleaner.

I am very happy now to not be buying $5 air cans every month.

 

[Powermoloch]

Originally posted by: HGC
Thought I'd revive this old thread as I found something new, to me at least, that I like very much.

The mini shop vac you can get at Walmart has an accessory called the Micro Kit. It has five different heads designed for computers and electronics. Costs $14.95 and fits any normal vacuum cleaner.

I am very happy now to not be buying $5 air cans every month.

I want one too....I used up a can today :roll:

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: HGC
Thought I'd revive this old thread as I found something new, to me at least, that I like very much.

The mini shop vac you can get at Walmart has an accessory called the Micro Kit. It has five different heads designed for computers and electronics. Costs $14.95 and fits any normal vacuum cleaner.

I am very happy now to not be buying $5 air cans every month.

Do you have a link to exactly what you bought.
Only thing I found on Walmarts website is this:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4196249

 

[thegorx]

leaf blower

 

[orion23]

I use a small inflator (came with a pool)
It does a great job. I tried using a 40PSI compressor but it sucked compared to the small inflator (too loud, big, heavy, not as powerful)

I still wish for somthing faster or stronger at least to clean the HD's and CD bays.

 

[Jiggz]

I use a rechargeable compress can which I charged with my tire inflator or if you do not have an inflator charge it at the gas station or tire shop. The can cost about $10.00 but can be recharged indefinitely. Check Harbor Freight for the can.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: corkyg
Blowing dust around doesn't really clean anything - it just moves it from one place to another.

My method of cleaning out my computer is to open it up once a month and wipe it dow internally with a "Swiffer" of "Grab-It" throw away cloth. They hold the dust and actually remove it.

And, about every six months I use this tool set. It works beautifully - and is especially good at cleaning keyboards. and system fans.

Suction

Corky, swiffers are electostaticly charged. Electorstatic will destroy computer components. Blowing is fine if you use an ESD safe vaccuume and take the computer out side. 3M at one time made one, but I am not sure if they still do.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrostatic_discharge
http://www.esdsystems.com/
http://www.esdsystems.com/Search.aspx?query=vacuum

 

[Googer]

My Pops has this one

I would not mind owning this one If you cannot spend that much Sears Craftsman is the next best choice.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: Googer
My Pops has this one

I would not mind owning this one If you cannot spend that much Sears Craftsman is the next best choice.

Ingersol Rand :thumbsup:

Only bested by Quincy.

Expanding vapor (bascially freon in a can) is not very efficient at cleaning computers. Those cans are for small jobs like removing dust from a reflector or contactor mechanisms, etc. Plus if you jiggle the can and have liquid come out it can craze (damage) many plastics.

Beware if the air is extremely dry static can build up in a compressed air stream. Keeping the power supply plugged into a grounded receptacle should help. If your compressor pump has an oil sump (non oil-less design) be careful of oil in the output air. Small filter drier/traps do a good job of removing these contaminants.

 

[imported_Imp]

I'm feeling pretty bad now seeing that people clean ther systems out once a month. I only did it once, oh, 3 years with my old system. Was planning on never opening up my new system again. Anyways, when I actually do it, I just use tissue paper to pick and just blow on the rest; not sure if Swiffer/charged wipes will break anything.

 

[Budarow]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn

Originally posted by: Googer
My Pops has this one

I would not mind owning this one If you cannot spend that much Sears Craftsman is the next best choice.

Ingersol Rand :thumbsup:

Only bested by Quincy.

Expanding vapor (bascially freon in a can) is not very efficient at cleaning computers. Those cans are for small jobs like removing dust from a reflector or contactor mechanisms, etc. Plus if you jiggle the can and have liquid come out it can craze (damage) many plastics.

Beware if the air is extremely dry static can build up in a compressed air stream. Keeping the power supply plugged into a grounded receptacle should help. If your compressor pump has an oil sump (non oil-less design) be careful of oil in the output air. Small filter drier/traps do a good job of removing these contaminants.

Sounds like someone might work for IR

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Budarow

Originally posted by: MS Dawn

Originally posted by: Googer
My Pops has this one

I would not mind owning this one If you cannot spend that much Sears Craftsman is the next best choice.

Ingersol Rand :thumbsup:

Only bested by Quincy.

Expanding vapor (bascially freon in a can) is not very efficient at cleaning computers. Those cans are for small jobs like removing dust from a reflector or contactor mechanisms, etc. Plus if you jiggle the can and have liquid come out it can craze (damage) many plastics.

Beware if the air is extremely dry static can build up in a compressed air stream. Keeping the power supply plugged into a grounded receptacle should help. If your compressor pump has an oil sump (non oil-less design) be careful of oil in the output air. Small filter drier/traps do a good job of removing these contaminants.

Sounds like someone might work for IR

No one in my family has any working relation with them. My dad got his through a buddy/dealer on a steep discount.

 

[AllGamer]

i use a combination of a strong Vacuum cleaner, and Compressed Air.

it's the best combination, blow it off, then immediatly suck them all meanwhile still lose in the air.

i'm in the process of shopping for a mall electrical air compressor instead of using Cans of Compressed Air

 

[coopermckay]

I use Stratus Economy Duster, it works great. you can get them online at a computer store. The only annoying thing about them, is if you spray them at the wrong angle, it is liquid not air, i was noob and did that to my motherboard. but it miraculously still works. i get dust on my computers all the time i would recoemnd cleaning them every 6 months or so.

 

[HGC]

Originally posted by: Ike0069

Originally posted by: HGC
Thought I'd revive this old thread as I found something new, to me at least, that I like very much.

The mini shop vac you can get at Walmart has an accessory called the Micro Kit. It has five different heads designed for computers and electronics. Costs $14.95 and fits any normal vacuum cleaner.

I am very happy now to not be buying $5 air cans every month.

Do you have a link to exactly what you bought.
Only thing I found on Walmarts website is this:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4196249

Here's a link for it at shop.com: http://www.shop.com/op/aprod-p27878363?sourceid=3

I bought it at my local Walmart. It fits onto the tube extension thingy you connect to extend your vacuum cleaner's hose. I like it a lot, but I like what you found, too, might have bought that if they'd had it.

 

[HGC]

Here's another thing I just found at Target online. Mini vac that plugs into a USB port. Looks pretty cool. Raises the question, though, do you want to be cleaning inside the case with the power on?

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr...00910?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B000EOWA6Y