I sanded an oak book shelf today. Prior to sanding I was dealing with some
serious planer marks. I used a PC 5" ROS and went from 80 to 120 to 220
grit. I removed about 98% of the marks and did a pretty good job of getting
a smooth surface.
All told, I was running the sander for about 1.5 hours. After I finished, I
used a small compressor to blow the dust out of the sander. It took about
5-6 cycles to completely remove all of the sawdust. (At least to the point
where very little was blown out).
My question is this: Is it possible to harm the inner workings of the
electric motor by using compressed air? I can picture the air pressure
blowing some dust into the brushes or switches. I sprayed the air from into
the exhaust port, through the pad holes, and into the vents in the sander
housing.
The same question applies to a circular saw, mitre saw, and jig saw. (Which
I also used compressed air to clean)
Thanks all.
I do it all the time, probably before eye danger is dust danger, to you or
your shop 8^)
I like to spray my stuff off outside
-Bruce
>
> I think the greater danger is to your eyes from all the crud flying
> around. Wear goggles and use some care. I think that OSHA recommends
> (requires?) no more than 30 lbs of pressure for air cleaning
> operations. I can't see it doing any harm to the tool, however.
>
> Tim Douglass
>
> http://www.DouglassClan.com
On Sun, 7 Dec 2003 17:56:23 -0500, "Mike" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I sanded an oak book shelf today. Prior to sanding I was dealing with some
>serious planer marks. I used a PC 5" ROS and went from 80 to 120 to 220
>grit. I removed about 98% of the marks and did a pretty good job of getting
>a smooth surface.
>
>All told, I was running the sander for about 1.5 hours. After I finished, I
>used a small compressor to blow the dust out of the sander. It took about
>5-6 cycles to completely remove all of the sawdust. (At least to the point
>where very little was blown out).
>
>My question is this: Is it possible to harm the inner workings of the
>electric motor by using compressed air? I can picture the air pressure
>blowing some dust into the brushes or switches. I sprayed the air from into
>the exhaust port, through the pad holes, and into the vents in the sander
>housing.
>
>The same question applies to a circular saw, mitre saw, and jig saw. (Which
>I also used compressed air to clean)
I think the greater danger is to your eyes from all the crud flying
around. Wear goggles and use some care. I think that OSHA recommends
(requires?) no more than 30 lbs of pressure for air cleaning
operations. I can't see it doing any harm to the tool, however.
Tim Douglass
http://www.DouglassClan.com
The downside to blowing tools to clean them is that dust can be driven
into bearings. I still do it but try to not direct the air stream at
the bearing seals.
Boden
George M. Kazaka wrote:
> There is no other way to clean them So blow blow blow
> "Mike" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>I sanded an oak book shelf today. Prior to sanding I was dealing with some
>>serious planer marks. I used a PC 5" ROS and went from 80 to 120 to 220
>>grit. I removed about 98% of the marks and did a pretty good job of
>
> getting
>
>>a smooth surface.
>>
>>All told, I was running the sander for about 1.5 hours. After I finished,
>
> I
>
>>used a small compressor to blow the dust out of the sander. It took about
>>5-6 cycles to completely remove all of the sawdust. (At least to the point
>>where very little was blown out).
>>
>>My question is this: Is it possible to harm the inner workings of the
>>electric motor by using compressed air? I can picture the air pressure
>>blowing some dust into the brushes or switches. I sprayed the air from
>
> into
>
>>the exhaust port, through the pad holes, and into the vents in the sander
>>housing.
>>
>>The same question applies to a circular saw, mitre saw, and jig saw.
>
> (Which
>
>>I also used compressed air to clean)
>>
>>Thanks all.
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
There is no other way to clean them So blow blow blow
"Mike" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I sanded an oak book shelf today. Prior to sanding I was dealing with some
> serious planer marks. I used a PC 5" ROS and went from 80 to 120 to 220
> grit. I removed about 98% of the marks and did a pretty good job of
getting
> a smooth surface.
>
> All told, I was running the sander for about 1.5 hours. After I finished,
I
> used a small compressor to blow the dust out of the sander. It took about
> 5-6 cycles to completely remove all of the sawdust. (At least to the point
> where very little was blown out).
>
> My question is this: Is it possible to harm the inner workings of the
> electric motor by using compressed air? I can picture the air pressure
> blowing some dust into the brushes or switches. I sprayed the air from
into
> the exhaust port, through the pad holes, and into the vents in the sander
> housing.
>
> The same question applies to a circular saw, mitre saw, and jig saw.
(Which
> I also used compressed air to clean)
>
> Thanks all.
>
>
>
Mike wrote:
> My question is this: Is it possible to harm the inner workings of the
> electric motor by using compressed air? I can picture the air pressure
I'd be less worried about air pressure than moisture. If you don't have a
moisture trap, you might blow water all over your inner electrical
workings, and that might not be a good idea.
If you have a moisture trap, wouldn't worry about it. Computers are a lot
more delicate than sanders or circular saws, and people use compressed air
to clean out computers all the time.
--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
On Sun, 7 Dec 2003 16:19:58 -0700, "George M. Kazaka"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>There is no other way to clean them So blow blow blow
Yes there is, a vacuum. <g>
I don't think compressed air will hurt the sander, but it's not the
only way to get out the dust.
Barry