Air duster

[J Pearce]

Has anyone found a good, more environmentally friendly, alternative to air-in-a-can? Everything I've found in a can uses either flammable hydrocarbon propellant or horrific ozone eating propellants.

 

I probably need something stronger than a squeezy bulb air blaster. I know compressors can have issues with static/ESD, is there a compressor setup that alleviates this?

[Brian]

What are you wanting to dust? I have one of these...

 

 

..which is amazingly blowy. Search on ebay for 'datavac'.

[J Pearce]

Cleaning mics, desks, and small electronic bits mostly - things where the short sharp blast from the can-with-a-straw is handy and you don't want ESD issues. But also with an eye on cleaning a rig that has been hung for 4 years and is soon to receive some overdue cleaning attention.

[alistermorton]

Giottos rocket blaster - used to remove dust etc from cameras - might fit the bill? Rocket blaster.

[J Pearce]

I've got one of those in my camera kit. It's good and could easily replace 80-90% of my air in a can use, but it's not quite as vicious. Though perhaps mine is a cheaper variant than that model?

 

The datavac stuff looks good too - I realise I actually watched a review of one of those on youtube (on techmoan's channel). He seemed to think it was pretty good - certainly would do for cleaning lanterns.

[ImagineerTom]

Not suitable for you electronics stuff but for shifting dust on rigs we use battery powered leaf blowers - example here https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0147BE5R6/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_H2H8R76788FMTTDE9NV8

 

Lots of companies seem to be own labelling the same product; on ultra high power mode they run about 10mins on battery but that's enough to shift all the confetti and dust from panto sitting on a rig.

 

 

[J Pearce]

Thanks Tom - an old uni coursemate (and housemate) has just recommended the same for larger non ESD sensitive jobs.

[natjones]

Another upvote for the Giottos rocket blaster. I bought one for my camera sensor over 15 years ago, and it sits on my work desk now. It's great for doing maintenance jobs and lantern cleaning, and is frequently borrowed to clean keyboards.

[Charlotte_R]

I've used an air compressor before. With a regulator and a moisture trap, it's done the job for cleaning moving lights. It was what we were given, I didn't choose it, so I can't necessarily comment on its suitability.

[Brian]

I've used an air compressor before. With a regulator and a moisture trap,...

 

 

In a previous life I ran a large 24/7 broadcast engineering department. We used exactly that setup to clean very expensive broadcast VTRs and PCBs. Static was never an issue.

[MarkPAman]

I wonder if modding something like this would be any good?

 

link

[J Pearce]

Good to know Brian. Whether RA-ing a compressor is any easier than RA-ing a flammable spray remains to be discovered upon my next meeting with the university H&S department; might sort me out for my own personal use though. (Part of the aim of eliminating air in a can is reducing our stock of aerosols and COSHH substances).

 

Mark - your link is scrambled somehow?

Edited February 1, 2021 by J Pearce

[pmiller056]

An air compressor and associated parts falls under the legalities around pressurised plant and boilers (I can't remember the relevant legislation offhand). It will need to be insured and regularly inspected by the insurer. If your workplace uses similar equipment and has the processes in place to look after it, you should be OK. From a managemnt point of view, small air compressors are too easily obtained, and are regularly unexpectedly found in odd places and not on any insurance inventory.....

[Dicky]

I've used an air compressor before. With a regulator and a moisture trap, it's done the job for cleaning moving lights. It was what we were given, I didn't choose it, so I can't necessarily comment on its suitability.

 

One of my other jobs is servicing video projectors. I use a compressor with a moisture trap, no problems at all for fans, circuit boards, plastic parts. I do use a can of air for the sensitive optical parts though.

 

Dicky

[James Remo]

I’ve been considering an Opolar air duster for a while, but have not put money into one yet, was hoping to find a real world review rather than just youtube recommendations. I used to have a small Stanley compressor for on site servicing of lights, but it was a lump to carry around, and I don’t do much install servicing any more

 

Edit to add - spot the rookie error in their promotional video

Edited February 1, 2021 by James Remo