Compressed Air Cleaning of Electronics


Quick question. Do you know of any compressed air source to clean dust out around electronics that does not cost an arm and a leg like the compressed air cans used for cleaning the inside of computers? For example, maybe some sort of device that can pumped up with a bicycle pump and reused?
nanderson

Showing 1 response by mwilson

How about a 1-gallon pancake air compressor? They're small, portable, and inexpensive for a tool of this flexibility and usefulness. $49 or so at Walmart or other big box stores - that's what I paid for mine. They usually come with a few attachments/nozzles. Compared to cans of compressed air, a mini air compressor such as this will pay for itself in no time, as it is reusable. They also do not leave residue or freeze up like canned air can.

Downsides: extremely noisy, and the air pressure can be quite substantial (depending on gear or circumstance, it can be too high.) You may want to blast off some of the air from a loaded tank before pointing at your equipment. Then again, pressure this high can be quite useful for blowing out very dusty electronics.

I use mine quite a lot, esp. on vintage equipment and computers. I don't miss the expense and poor performance of "canned air".