Using leaf blower to dust a PC!

[SwampDog]

I'm looking for a good way to clean dust from my PC's. The compressed air cost's too much. A friend of mine suggested buying a small air compressor with a blower attachment. Another said he cleans his with a cheap $30.00 leaf blower from Sears. Considering an air compressor is around $90.00 + tax, I'm actually considering a leaf blower. Is there a reason why this is a bad idea? If not I'll give it a try.

 

[RichPLS]

I would not recomend that idea, too easy to blow off chips, mem, ic's etc.
NTM that objects like sand/grit are permitted to blow thru a leaf blower...

 

[sirrobin4ever]

Easy Case Cleaning instructions:
1. Remove door or outside of case.
2. Inhale.
3. Blow on heatsinks.

 

[RichPLS]

Tho I use an air compressor, with a dryer to dehumidify air...

 

[orangegator]

You want to clean dust? Try a Dustbuster. 😛 Or the hose attachment on a vacuum cleaner.

 

[truromeo4juliet]

we use the shop-vac bmb200 wet/dry vac (it's a blower)... it's got a funnel on it that compresses the air in the chamber and shoots it out REALLY WELL... it works better than a leaf blower, imo, because it can be directed easily, and it's about the size of 2 large power supplies stacked on top of each other + funnel...

dunno where you can find one though 🙁 I don't recommend a leaf blower unless it's small

 

[nobly]

I have to agree that a leaf blower would not be a good idea. It'll shoot dust and any other small debris right at your computer. I also wonder if the high speeds could cause any static buildup???

I'd just get the compressed air and then install some dust filters on the inputs of your computer case fans. Then you won't have to spring for compressed air as much since you can just wash the filter.

 

[scubageek]

I got a small compressor from Walmart for 68+tax, and don't regret it. Of course I use it for more than cleaning out my PC too.

If you have a vacuum cleaner and the right attachment that would work for free if money is such an issue.

Honestly the leaf blower isn't going to be strong enough to blow any chips off, good exaggeration, but it may be a bit more than you need, considering you can't really control what you blow into the case while you are trying to get the dust bunnies out of your case.

It will work, but honestly either spend a few more bucks for a 2 gal compressor, which is overkill, or just use your home vacuum to suck the dust out.

 

[Whizzard9992]

I'm actually considering a leaf blower.

That's awesome.

Other than the danger of it shooting debris at your computer, I can't see how it would hurt.

 

[firemist]

I must be missing something.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899888208

1 can of air (perfect for this job) = 5.99
1 Sears leaf blower (doubles for yard work) = 30.00
1 air compressor (to be installed in shop) = 90.00

How much air do you need (or how big is your case) to say canned air is too expensive?

 

[CompTIA_Rep]

I'm looking for a good way to clean dust from my PC's. The compressed air cost's too much. A friend of mine suggested buying a small air compressor with a blower attachment. Another said he cleans his with a cheap $30.00 leaf blower from Sears. Considering an air compressor is around $90.00 + tax, I'm actually considering a leaf blower. Is there a reason why this is a bad idea? If not I'll give it a try.

You know why there is canned air for electronics? Because it prevents or close to it, static electricity from friction.

A leaf blower, or other high velocity air mover will cause static build up as the air is circulated. Dust in the air also add to this effect. The risk involved is loosing components from static damage, which does happen more then you think from people using these things. I have a shop and have seen it about a dozen times over the last 3 years.

 

[SwampDog]

I'm actually considering a leaf blower.

That's awesome.

Other than the danger of it shooting debris at your computer, I can't see how it would hurt.

What debris? I won't be doing yard work while I dusting my computer.

 

[SwampDog]

I must be missing something.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899888208

1 can of air (perfect for this job) = 5.99
1 Sears leaf blower (doubles for yard work) = 30.00
1 air compressor (to be installed in shop) = 90.00

How much air do you need (or how big is your case) to say canned air is too expensive?

I have 4 computers. 2 are full size Lian Li cases and 2 are larger Dell cases. The Lian Li cases suck air like a ninja vacuum along with dust and dog hair. Filters would help. It takes me 2-3 cans to clean 4 computers to my satisfaction. So at $5.99 per can it adds up. I guess I could get a better house keeper. It would still be cheaper in the long run to spend $30.00 on the ShopVac. I hope this clears up any confusion.

 

[CompTIA_Rep]

Did you read what I said about static buildup using such a device.

 

[SwampDog]

Static electricity. I didn't know that. Lets say I use something other than canned air to dust. Would grounding the computer case first, make any difference against static buildup?

 

[gloppppp]

:arrow: Spend the money on the compressed air,use it a couple of times a week,a couple of shots on the fans for sure,1 can should last you about a month,thats the safest way(on your components anyway)to keep her clean.I,m sure you can afford about $8.00 per month.

 

[SwampDog]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[jwolf24601]

Always used my air compressor to clean pc. Never had problems from static that I can tell. Been spraying out my p2 machine since 1998 every month(sometimes miss a month or two), it still works fine.

If you unplug everything from the computer before you do that I dont think you would have any problems.

 

[akahuddy]

Why don't you just build yourself a homemade "blower" using a spare casefan and some sort of cone shaped material with a narrow opening made from a straw. You could even add a filter too. And it runs straight off your computer's PSU. 8)

 

[CompTIA_Rep]

Well i have been in the shop environment for 13 years give or take and I can tell you that it does cause issues for sure.

Not that common, but it happens and I was informing that it is a risk.


I have 2 machines and every 6 months, I wash one and swap for the other (let dry for about a week).

Canned air for electronics is the best way to go. Shop around I can usually get a full size can for 3$, which is good since we buy 20 of them at a time.

 

[caamsa]

Just use your vacume cleaner with special attachments for cleaning computers or keyboards.

Also I had a can that I purchased once that I could compress over and over again but I lost the little hand pump for it. That was failry cheap and using the pump to pump it up was good exercise.

Yes you can blow on your computer just make sure that you take it outside first and make sure your neighbors are not looking when you do it.

 

[Whizzard9992]

I have 2 machines and every 6 months, I wash one and swap for the other (let dry for about a week).

Wait... Wash? How are you washing your computer???

 

[CompTIA_Rep]

While its on...


I use distilled water and I flush out the system. Most the time I reapply thermal paste as well. ... and while it is off.

You have to remove the IC cards too, but wash them, its fine.
Also, pull the battery and discharge the caps first.

 

[RichPLS]

I believe it works... tried it on a few older pieces too...
but, thanks, no thanks.

 

[farmkid]

You know why there is canned air for electronics? Because it prevents or close to it, static electricity from friction.

A leaf blower, or other high velocity air mover will cause static build up as the air is circulated. Dust in the air also add to this effect. The risk involved is loosing components from static damage, which does happen more then you think from people using these things. I have a shop and have seen it about a dozen times over the last 3 years.

Add me to the list of those recommending against using a leaf blower or vacuum. Not too long ago I built a new computer for my sister because she killed her last one by cleaning it with a vacuum. She opened the case and carefully cleaned out all the dust, being careful not to touch anything with the vacuum hose. However, when she put the cover back on and turned it on it was dead. It never turned back on again. Static is the best explanation I could come up with.