Yup. That is exactly what I was talking about. Good job.
Can I use my Kirby vacuum to clean inside my gear?
- Thread starter Quick Cal
- Start date
A Kirby does not blow harder than an air compressor. An air compressor is designed to deliver air at pressures from 90 to 150+ psi through tiny nozzles to power pneumatic tools or blast away stubborn dust/dirt. A Kirby blows at high volume, but at virtually zero measurable pressure. A Kirby couldn’t run my air drill motor if I connected them.
That being said, I’m pretty sure you could have cleaned virtually all the dust/grime off of your unit in about a minute or two with a compressor.
Last edited:
Of course you can... or a shop vac. I would recommend something the equivalent to a domestic version of a black-hole.
Would I use that? Now that is another question entirely. I would use a can of compressed air. 
restorer-john
Addicted Member
Nothing beats a decent air compressor, outside of course, and a few paintbrushes. Use a water/oil separator too. You don't want to be blasting chassis and PCB/components with moisture in the compressed air.
These brushless blower things are insanely good for quick cleanups of HiFi. It's hard to believe how much air they push- the black one is like a leaf blower! And they sound like a mini jet turbine.
These brushless blower things are insanely good for quick cleanups of HiFi. It's hard to believe how much air they push- the black one is like a leaf blower! And they sound like a mini jet turbine.
I bought one of those blowers to use to blow out the computer but frankly it could use a lower speed that doesn't move so much air. It is like a leaf blower. The only time it was really useful was when I opened up a power supply while I was rebuilding a computer and I used it to blow out all the accumulated dust. And there was a large amount in there. That power supply is still going strong now. But I wouldn't use that thing on any audio equipment because it might damage something. I don't even use it on the computers.
restorer-john
Addicted Member
Both those above units have adjustable speeds. The black one has 3 plus a super power speed and the other one is infinitely variable.
Well, what I was saying was that the one I bought just didn't have a low enough speed so the air pressure was always too great. Maybe they make ones that are better. I don't know. After that I really didn't have a desire to buy another one. Could I use a variac to slow it down? LOL. Just a thought because why not... Maybe I should disassemble it and take a look. Because why not...
Infinitely variable. Now there you have it.
Yeah, that is what I do sometimes. But I have to hold it probably two feet away so you also don't get a really targeted stream of air. In the end, I just use the canned air most of the time and then maybe that blower once a year. To me, it would have made more sense to simply put a low speed on the thing that is more usable...
restorer-john
Addicted Member
I agree. The black one above even on its lowest speed it probably borderline for fragile things. If they had a variable speed trigger like a cordless drill, it'd be better.
sound hound
Super Member
Problem is a variac is not safe for motors, not sure if ac or dc motors or both, though.
I seem to remember once when I was a child and we went down to the basement of our house and started messing with things. I fell like I put in a potentiometer of some sort in the cord of a fan so I could slow it down if I wanted to. But that was a long time ago and who knows if I am even rememebering things right. LOL. I don't think I got into too much trouble but yeah I was always interested in how things work and what happens if you change something. Tear it apart and see if it goes back together...
You could move further away from the area as suggested. If still a concern, then use a variac to slow it down. I’ve been using my variacs to control the speed of my 36” and 20” shop fans for over 10 years, works great for adjusting the blade speed/air flow to my liking.