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Anybody own a small air compressor for on-site computer cleaning?

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Phishie

Junior Member
I am looking to buy a small air compressor soon to clean out computers on the go. If anybody uses one of these to clean computers at different locations I'd like to know your opinions.

I read a few reviews where people complained that the air didn't last more than a minute and it took so long to refill the air before it could be used again. So if anybody has any advice to give me when it comes to purchasing one of these things I'd like to hear it. So far I've only used my dad's air compressor in the garage, but he has a heavy-duty one that is gigantic and not portable.

My requirements are these:

Must be portable.
Tank must hold enough air to thoroughly blow out at least one computer without having to refill.
Must be quiet.

Any opinions on brand, model, horsepower, tank capacity, etc. is much appreciated.
 
How quiet does it have to be? You may want to consider a portable air tank, and fill it with an ordinary compressor.
 
Originally posted by: JLee
How quiet does it have to be? You may want to consider a portable air tank, and fill it with an ordinary compressor.
Click to expand...

Well I plan on using in/outside of client's houses to clean out their PCs. So I would prefer it if I wouldn't have to fill it while on-site but if I had to I'd just want the noise to be as low profile as possible. Oh and I am researching this air tank option. Something I didn't think about. Thanks. I might just get an air tank and fill it with my dad's compressor.
 
I second the air tank route. You can get up to 10 gallon tanks for very cheap and they should be more than enough to clean out computers.

Any decent sized air compressor you get is going to be noisy as all hell.
 
Originally posted by: dsity
wouldn't there be dangers of static electricity damaging system components?
Click to expand...

No the air comes out with enough force where you don't have to get that close. And as long as you control the air flow you don't have to worry about the air physically knocking anything loose (besides dust of course).

Thanks for the quick tip JLee. I think you are right on the money. I think I am going to browse around for a 9 gallon tank and nozzle attachment.
 
We have a small portable air compressor in our garage that we use to pump car tires, and also for cleaning out PCs. Something like this. Ours is a craftsman, not sure if it's the same 1.5 gallon capacity, but looks very similar to that one. While it doesn't have a large capacity, it only takes one or two tank fulls to pump up car tires or clean out my PC. I actually prefer it to a large tank setup, as it's easier to carry around and it fills up pretty quick.
 
Originally posted by: PCMarine
We have a small portable air compressor in our garage that we use to pump car tires, and also for cleaning out PCs. Something like this. Ours is a craftsman, not sure if it's the same 1.5 gallon capacity, but looks very similar to that one. While it doesn't have a large capacity, it only takes one or two tank fulls to pump up car tires or clean out my PC. I actually prefer it to a large tank setup, as it's easier to carry around and it fills up pretty quick.
Click to expand...

I have one like this. I like it, but I can't exactly fit it in a back seat. 😛
 
Originally posted by: JLee
Originally posted by: PCMarine
We have a small portable air compressor in our garage that we use to pump car tires, and also for cleaning out PCs. Something like this. Ours is a craftsman, not sure if it's the same 1.5 gallon capacity, but looks very similar to that one. While it doesn't have a large capacity, it only takes one or two tank fulls to pump up car tires or clean out my PC. I actually prefer it to a large tank setup, as it's easier to carry around and it fills up pretty quick.
Click to expand...

I have one like this. I like it, but I can't exactly fit it in a back seat. 😛
Click to expand...

Nothing like the 25 gallon pro series 😉 at least it's quieter than our oil less variants.

To the OP: All the sears craftsman compressors have at least an available 150 PSI IIRC. You can use the regulator to turn that down as well. The smaller ones all use a oil lube motor, so they really aren't that loud. If you grab like a 1hp 3 gallon one it flows something like 3.4 scfm at about 40 psi, which is probably good enough for you, or 2.4 at 90 psi.
 

It is not practical to have a quiet compressor because they are relatively heavy and cost in the thousands.

Try a portable air tank that come in at 5, 10, 20 gallons that are rated between 125-200psi. It can be refill at home to around 125 psi and at the gas pump to around 75-80 psi

If the above solution doesn't do it, the next step is to buy/rent an air tank/nitrogen tank from your local welding/diving shop.

 
Originally posted by: deadlyapp
Originally posted by: JLee
Originally posted by: PCMarine
We have a small portable air compressor in our garage that we use to pump car tires, and also for cleaning out PCs. Something like this. Ours is a craftsman, not sure if it's the same 1.5 gallon capacity, but looks very similar to that one. While it doesn't have a large capacity, it only takes one or two tank fulls to pump up car tires or clean out my PC. I actually prefer it to a large tank setup, as it's easier to carry around and it fills up pretty quick.
Click to expand...

I have one like this. I like it, but I can't exactly fit it in a back seat. 😛
Click to expand...

Nothing like the 25 gallon pro series 😉 at least it's quieter than our oil less variants.

To the OP: All the sears craftsman compressors have at least an available 150 PSI IIRC. You can use the regulator to turn that down as well. The smaller ones all use a oil lube motor, so they really aren't that loud. If you grab like a 1hp 3 gallon one it flows something like 3.4 scfm at about 40 psi, which is probably good enough for you, or 2.4 at 90 psi.
Click to expand...

I think mine is oilless - it's not the newest model..I've had it for a couple/few years. It's loud. 😛
 
A while back I remember seeing at Fry's a variation of the standard aerosol can, however, this one was refillable, (google?).
You folks are aware that both a compressor, or a tank will spit water aren't you?
 
Originally posted by: runzwithsizorz
A while back I remember seeing at Fry's a variation of the standard aerosol can, however, this one was refillable, (google?).
You folks are aware that both a compressor, or a tank will spit water aren't you?
Click to expand...

They have moisture filters and such to take care of that, although I've never used one myself.
 
Originally posted by: NoShangriLa
If the above solution doesn't do it, the next step is to buy/rent an air tank/nitrogen tank from your local welding/diving shop.
Click to expand...
I cracked up when I read that because I live out in the middle of the desert. Where the hell would I find a diving shop? lmao

Originally posted by: runzwithsizorz
You folks are aware that both a compressor, or a tank will spit water aren't you?
Click to expand...
I've been using a 25 gallon air compressor to clean out my computers for years and years and years. I'm not too concerned about it. =]
 
Use a portable tank and make sure you filter the air that comes out of the tank.
The reason I said filter the air as it comes out is because the air in the tank could develop small particles, bits of rust over time.

I have seen people that use old propane tanks, like the kind used for grills.
 
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