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Old 2nd Mar 2023, 8:50 pm   #1
pmmunro
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Default Miniature Compressor for Air Dusting

This is not really a radio question but I hope it will be permissible to draw on the expertise of forum contributors.

I am intending to digitally scan a large number of 35mm slides and negatives and, following available advice, I will need some means of blowing off dust. Due the quantity, concerns on environmental impact, cost and the fact it will be a long term project, I'm reluctant to buy "canned air" which is apparently a compressed gas other than air.

For this reason I thought that a mini compressor of the size suitable for an airbrush might be suitable. I have some small filters and pressure regulators already.

Could I ask for tips drawn from experience please?

PMM
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Old 2nd Mar 2023, 9:57 pm   #2
Radio Wrangler
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Default Re: Miniature Compressor for Aor Dusting

Sensible to me.

Dad's an artist. One Christmas I decided to buy him an airbrush kit and a little compressor. Seeing the price of little compressors in the artistic world, I immediately decamped to my favourite tool supplier and got a substantially larger and better built machine for a substantially lower price. It's still carry-able and has a small receiver, so you can get a blast of air for blowing muck out of awkward places. It's even got enough umph to run my plasma cutter for chassis work. It's more than the airbrush needs, but the airbrush hasn't complained yet.

Once you've got some compressed air around the place, you find more and more uses.
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Old 3rd Mar 2023, 12:37 am   #3
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Default Re: Miniature Compressor for Air Dusting

I agree with David, in that an air compressor has a multitude of uses and is uber handy to have in the workshop. Try and get a decent brand, as my Draper one went kaput after only a couple of years.

One thing you might find is that a typical compressor could be a little too powerful for 35mm slides. Have you thought of a 'rocket blower'?

https://www.richardpeters.co.uk/giottos-rocket-blower/
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Old 3rd Mar 2023, 1:17 am   #4
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Default Re: Miniature Compressor for Air Dusting

The rocket blower seems very appropriate for the task and certainly won't break the bank.

I'd also be concerned about particles of water and even oil in the air from a compressor. Driers and filters are available.

Steve.
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Old 3rd Mar 2023, 10:09 am   #5
pmmunro
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Default Re: Miniature Compressor for Air Dusting

Many thanks everyone for your help.

I've decided to go with Steve's suggestion of a Rocket blower.

I had't thought about those, possibly because I have meetings about blowing dust around the sensor of a DSLR. I would have thought suction was needed for sensor cleaning but devices for that seem rare.

PMM
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Old 3rd Mar 2023, 12:01 pm   #6
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Default Re: Miniature Compressor for Air Dusting

Glad to hear you are happy, however I can't take credit for suggesting the rocket blower, that honour must go to 'Knobtwidler'.

Steve.
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Old 3rd Mar 2023, 1:05 pm   #7
knobtwiddler
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Default Re: Miniature Compressor for Air Dusting

There are generic Rocket Blowers out there, so you can save a few quid over the Giottos one if brand image isn't important to you.
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Old 3rd Mar 2023, 9:48 pm   #8
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Default Re: Miniature Compressor for Air Dusting

I bought one of these electric blowers designed for cleaning computer equipment. It is surprising powerful, as good as a can of compressed air. It has a filter and comes with different nozzles https://www.itdusters.com/product/compucleaner/
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Old 3rd Mar 2023, 10:47 pm   #9
Tim
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Default Re: Miniature Compressor for Air Dusting

Fish tank air pump?
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Old 5th Mar 2023, 10:17 am   #10
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Default Re: Miniature Compressor for Air Dusting

I bought one of these a few years ago and wouldn’t be without it
https://www.itdusters.com/product/metro-datavac/
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Old 22nd Mar 2023, 8:36 pm   #11
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Default Re: Miniature Compressor for Air Dusting

Thanks everyone for comments and advice. I've chosen the Rocket blower solution for the present.

Unless anyone has anything to add, I would ask the moderators to close this thread olease.

PMM
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