Compressed air in the workshop

[dickm]

I recently got the chance of a reasonable secondhand compressor (1.1kW, couldn't read the air delivery value) very cheap. Was tempted, but then started to wonder what would I actually use it for? You only need to blow dust off things occasionally, and I don't do much spray finishing which can be done anyway with a Wagner airless.
So what do those of you out there with compressed air use it for, and what is the minimum size that is useful, as opposed to desirable?

 

[Steve Jones]

Dick,

I've had a compressor for a number of years and the only thing woodworking related it gets used for is to power my 18g nail gun.

Steve

 

[head clansman]

HI

Me two nail gun .hc

 

[NickWelford]

I use mine all the time - great for clearing holes etc, getting dust and stuff off surfaces, even small ones. Clears shavings out of hollow turned vessels a treat. If it is cheap, then get it - you'll be surprised how useful it can be.

 

[WellsWood]

... You only need to blow dust off things occasionally, ....

Warning: Rant Alert

I've lost track of the number of times this is suggested or condoned in these hallowed pages. Considering the level of excitement which is generated everytime the dangers of workshop dust comes up in conversation here, and the fact that on pretty much every occasion I can remember machine purchase advice is accompanied by the familiar cries of "don't forget to budget for dust extraction", I'm truly surprised at the frequency that this practice is suggested. I'm even more surprised that, for reasons I can't fathom, it doesn't seem to generate the same sort of response as dado blades and unguarded saw blades etc.

If you care about your health at all, and don't spend your entire workshop time wearing breathing apparatus, then blowing dust around with compressed air is a really really bad idea, even occasionally. Much better to get soft brush and a shop vac with a fine filter and use them rather than your lungs to remove the offending dust at source. After all, even leaving aside the dangers, you're going to have to hoover up all that dust when it settles anyway so you may as well "cut out the middle man" so to speak.

Rant over.( feel better now)

 

[Graeme]

I agree with Nick. I use my air line all the time for blowing chips out of holes, its very very useful a real time saver. Nail guns are cheap and easy to use, ideal for holding things together until the glue has time to go off.

As for spraying, I use and Earlex HVLP system for that.

Go on buy it you wont regret it.

Graeme

 

[Chris Knight]

+1 on de-dusting - entire workshop included.

By all means wear a dust mask but then blow dust off everything like crazy - leave shop for half an hour with fine dust collector running..

Mine also gets used for cleaning the tablesaw (rise and fall starts to jam without a periodic blasting of the mechanism), pumping up car tyres, speeding up drying of some wet things, nail guns and other air driven tools, spraying and before I got a vacuum pump, a venturi vacuum thingy.

 

[wizer]

In retrospect, I wish I'd never bought mine. I barely ever use it. I've never felt the need to use brad nail for any of the work that I do and I have no desire to spray finish in my workshop. It's under powered to run any of the air tools I want to use like die grinders and sanders. The only real use going forward it, as Nick says, for hollow forms on the lathe.

They're bloody noisy too.

 

[paulm]

They're great for all the things mentioned above and I agree very handy for dusting the workshop, obviously with a mask and then leave the air filter running for a while after......

Also good for clearing laptop pc keyboards and ventilation holes when needed !

Cheers, Paul

 

[WellsWood]

Not being an owner of a compressor I must be missing something.

I'm afraid I just don't get it. :?

 

[crazylilting]

I use mine all the time as well. Nail gun mostly and shamefully to blow dust around. I can't smoke with a dust mask on so i don't wear them very much.

I also hose myself down with it before leaving the shop. My partner is thankful for this as i don't bring in the dust now.

 

[wizer]

shamefully to blow dust around. I can't smoke with a dust mask on so i don't wear them very much. .

You might want to make yourself one of these with that nail gun:

 

[crazylilting]

now now don't be like that

I'd never have myself buried!!!

Ashes to ashes dust to dust i'll end up in someone's tea cup

 

[wizer]

Ashes to ashes dust to dust i'll end up in someone's tea cup

or lungs

 

[RogerS]

Discovered today that mine is great for blowing dry leaves from out of the guttering. Blasts about 1.5 m which speeds things up no end.

 

[dchallender]

I also have a compressor and use it all the time for nails guns, sanders, air drills, etc.

I have to say though I agree with Mark they shouldn't be used for blowing anything about, I always use a dustpan and brush. I served my apprenticeship as an engineer in the Merchant Navy and I remember quite vividly the H&S aspects of HP compressed air. It's not just your lungs you have to worry about, it's your eyes, ears and the possibility of air inclusion in your blood stream!!

Quite dangerous stuff really and should be given the same respect as a machine tool.

Sorry for the rant but I remember my old workshop tutor kicking this into us on a daily basis!!......that and his love of Liverpool FC

 

[pren]

+1 for brad nailing and air dusting.

I've got a spray gun I keep meaning to use but have yet to get round to it. I also have an airbrush which runs of it very nicely.

I've also got a tyre inflator with a gauge that I use on the car and bike tyres. It also comes in handy for keeping the wife's gym ball inflated.

I don't use my compressor all the time but I couldn't imagine getting by without it on some projects.

 

[FatFreddysCat]

And quitre right, too! Brilliant for driving drills (unlike a cordless you'll break less Kreg bits IMHO), spray guns, nailers, staplers and even my tyre inflator :lol: , but another thing to treat with respect.

BTW as everyone is on the safety kick I wonder how many people drain down the tank at least once a week or have the compressor safety tested every couple of years?

 

[Digit]

Also very useful for cleaning vacuum cleaner filters. As regards airborne dust, I blow everything out through the workshop doorway.
In my opinion any tool that produces fine chips or dust, such as a router, will benefit from the occasional air blast.

Roy.

 

[pren]

I wonder how many people drain down the tank at least once a week?

That's something that has been on my 'I-really-must-do-this' list for a worryingly long time

Last time I did it, a frightening amount of rusty water came out. :shock:


Actually; I'm going to do it now.