Alternative to canned air

[jimmyG]

I go through quite a few of those cans of compressed air and wonder if there's a cheaper alternative?

I keep a can by the scroll saw to blast a pattern once in awhile plus one on the work bench for when I'm touching up/sanding small projects.  I have multiple air lines around but they're too much pressure.

[Wichman]

I like these https://www.harborfreight.com/pocket-blow-gun-with-industrial-coupler-68262.html you can adjust the airflow by twisting the end. Anything from a very gentle pressure to full blast, these keep the same pressure unless twisted so it's easy to keep the pressure you want.

I've been using these for at least 15 years, so it's a pretty cheap investment.

Edited November 22, 2023 by Wichman

[jerry walters]

Another way is to use the exhaust from your vaccuum. I suck up what I can then switch the hose to the vaccuum. Blow the rest away. Another way is to use your wifes hair blower.

Jerry

[Scrappile]

I purchased one of these a few years ago when Steve Good had a write up on them:

https://www.amazon.com/XPOWER-Inflating-Maintenance-Performance-Eco-Friendly/dp/B0B52DKNBK/ref=asc_df_B0B52DKNBK?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80058317323910&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583657842490314&psc=1

I use it a lot in my shop and also for blowing out my computer, mouse and keyboard. I also use it when clean out the car to blow the dust out of the air vents and such.   I is much quieter than the noisy air compressor, I use to keep in my shop and I don't have to wait for a pressure tank to fill up.  I do love it, money well spent and I think I had to spend a little more than this one listed.

Edited November 24, 2023 by Scrappile

[preprius]

I have been using this for years.

https://www.amazon.com/O2-Hurricane-AirDuster-Rechargeable-Revolutionary/dp/B00DYC3EKO/ref=asc_df_B00DYC3EKO/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198077048526&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2278690907539274408&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032140&hvtargid=pla-390998529246&psc=1&mcid=4a8159ad5bf337dfb6d92e43fabeebee&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6vaqBhCbARIsACF9M6mC0q7k7ox6tT461BERg1axM8AL68lRPe5zcZE26GCix_Ul1E-FBEMaAnPFEALw_wcB

 

 

[jimmyG]

9 hours ago, jerry walters said:

Another way is to use the exhaust from your vaccuum. I suck up what I can then switch the hose to the vaccuum. Blow the rest away. Another way is to use your wifes hair blower.

Jerry

Too much pressure and not pin point enough fot small intricate pieces.  I also use them to blow out excess finish from small cut outs that aren't accessible.

[BadBob]

12 hours ago, jimmyG said:

I have multiple air lines around but they're too much pressure.

You can lower the pressure with a regulator. I have one of these I use for my airbrush.

[jimmyG]

I use my airlines for air tools and to blow out my workshop.  The compressor has a regular but it's under my miter station and not very accessible plus I don't want to be tripping over an airhose.  I guess the handheld rechargeable option would be better if there are ones with good reviews.

[rafairchild2]

23 minutes ago, jimmyG said:

I use my airlines for air tools and to blow out my workshop.  The compressor has a regular but it's under my miter station and not very accessible plus I don't want to be tripping over an airhose.  I guess the handheld rechargeable option would be better if there are ones with good reviews.

Same here, I have an air compressor and a 50-foot hose on a retractable wall-mounted case that also is hinged.  I use that for my equipment and workbenches.  Once in a while when I have the big overhead door open, I get my gas-powered leaf blower and have at it.  Now that gets the floor super clean!

[Norm Fengstad]

Air compressor with blow nozzle works for me, canned air is expensive

[OCtoolguy]

How about an air brush compressor? They are pretty cheap nowadays and might be handy if you want to airbrush something. 

[Sycamore67]

The blower on my saw is sufficient to blow the dust off while scrolling.  Is your blower working OK? 

[BadBob]

38 minutes ago, OCtoolguy said:

How about an air brush compressor? They are pretty cheap nowadays and might be handy if you want to airbrush something. 

That is a great idea.

[jimmyG]

1 hour ago, Sycamore67 said:

The blower on my saw is sufficient to blow the dust off while scrolling.  Is your blower working OK? 

My Dewalt's blower works fine to clear a path but after a while like stated I like to blast the top off.  I use compressed air all the time. Go through a couple at least every month. 

[Sycamore67]

Between the blower and the vacuum hose on top, I have very little saw dust at all.  Do you have a vacuum on top?

[jimmyG]

2 minutes ago, Sycamore67 said:

Between the blower and the vacuum hose on top, I have very little saw dust at all.  Do you have a vacuum on top?

No vacuum.

[rafairchild2]

I have posted this image elsewhere but I have a bottom and top vac on my EX.  I am surprised that a top vac has not been added by scrollsaw manufacturers. I designed my top vac to move with the arm when I raise it.  And when I lower the arm, the vac is right back at the same position, no fiddling around.

Add the fact that I am running an overhead airfiltration system dust is fairly minimal.  However, when I am doing videos I keep my dust handling system off, thus some dust in the shop.  Also, since I have a large garage overhead door, when I open it on some days, leaves and such can blow in, thus the leaf blower once in a while.

 

Edited November 24, 2023 by rafairchild2

[Randyw81]

I manage an automotive paint & body supply store. If you already have a  compressor, we sell small inline regulators that will attach to your blow gun to cut the pressure, or there are several companies that make trigger blow guns that you will blow at different pressures depending on how hard you squeeze the trigger.

[jimmyG]

Guess I need to check into the handheld rechargeable blowers since i don't want to be tripping over hoses or having a vacuum blasting for hours. Some wood's sawdust like Basswood's is dense and will lay on the pattern when it's blown from the cut line.  Thanks all for the input!

[Wichman]

The basswood sawdust is some of the worst, it sticks in the kerf and easily takes a static charge so that it is difficult to remove. I was recently  cleaning up some ornaments and had to blow the sawdust off the pieces, looked like fuzzes but it was dust standing on end.

[Bill WIlson]

My shop is small enough that my compressor is only a few feet away from my bench and maybe 8-10' away from my scroll saw.  I have a recoil air hose that I keep my blow nozzle attached to.  It's easily within reach, whenever I need it.  No hoses strewn across the floor.  If I had a larger shop, I would have a retractable hose reel attached to ceiling, so I could easily reach up and grab the air nozzle.  I'd be lost without my compressor.

[jimmyG]

6 hours ago, Wichman said:

The basswood sawdust is some of the worst, it sticks in the kerf and easily takes a static charge so that it is difficult to remove. I was recently  cleaning up some ornaments and had to blow the sawdust off the pieces, looked like fuzzes but it was dust standing on end.

I agree about the basswood

[dgman]

I don’t use compressed air to clean. I use a simple brush to sweep away sawdust. It’s always near the saw and workbench.I turned the handle. Complete with dog chew marks!

[OCtoolguy]

18 hours ago, dgman said:

I don’t use compressed air to clean. I use a simple brush to sweep away sawdust. It’s always near the saw and workbench.I turned the handle. Complete with dog chew marks!

Dan, I use a 2 inch wide paint brush. No chew marks though.

[rjweb]

Ray, that's what use paint brush, RJ