Canned Air options.....

3930dave · Feb 2, 2025

..... used to be, I'd just pick up a pack of canned-air dusters @ Costco.... turns out, they dropped them a while ago..... Walmart is $13CAD/can - not paying that. I use it primarily on electronics, so need clean/dry.

Not interested in yet another battery-powered cheap tool, and while I can find a corded air-blaster on Amazon, it's a bit bigger than I'd like......

Anybody recently purchase canned-air (@ less-than insane price), or another product you'd recommend ?

At the moment, I have access to clean compressed air @ work, but am loathe to pressurize random PRC small bottles to that pressure, then bring it home. Last time I saw a bottle like that ^, it was in a JC Whitney printed catalogue...... I'm old !

Rgds, D.

Roadworthy · Feb 2, 2025

I believe most of the canned air was discontinued because most of the companies used Freon which is reputed to destroy the ozone layer. Perhaps you could look into small bottles of compressed nitrogen - probably from a gas supplier.

3930dave · Feb 2, 2025

Roadworthy said:
I believe most of the canned air was discontinued because most of the companies used Freon which is reputed to destroy the ozone layer. Perhaps you could look into small bottles of compressed nitrogen - probably from a gas supplier.

It's still available, but extremely expensive.

Inert gas - good point. I know Lee Valley (Tools) used to sell an inert product, to use as a barrier-layer inside (expensive) cans of wood-treatment products. If they still have it, I may try a can.

As of about a year ago (google WD40 Canada - just one example) we now have even more hoops to jump through re. industrial products, that most of the USA does not..... I may be adding to my cross-border shopping list, even with my depressed CADs....

I won't get started, on what happened with Brake Cleaner here.......

Rgds, D.

aba4430 · Feb 2, 2025

Unless you need a cordless solution, an electronic duster is a decent option. See Metrovac datavac dusters at Amazon. I bought one about 10 years ago and have been very happy with it; Made in USA; not sure if this is still true. Excellent for cleaning electronics, computers, engines after a wash etc.

ray66v · Feb 2, 2025

The fact that the "air" was actually Freon, (often 134a), is only half the problem.

They are commonly used to get high. People who are prone to addiction get out of control with it, because there has been nothing prohibiting it.

Long term use ends up being quite toxic.

While I agree, that's their problem. Their medical bills, and nursing home expenses, end up being our problem.

The industry has known this for a long time, and turned a blind eye to it.

rangerfredbob · Feb 2, 2025

You could probably use something like THIS but just that volume of compressed air wouldn't last long

bmaverick · Feb 2, 2025

This should be your only option. Buying canned air for a box of 12-cans is EXPENSIVE.

Buying a refillable air tank is WISE.

Mount any port or hose of your choosing too. Even a port that will fill from a 12VDC automotive bike pump.

CliffordK · Feb 2, 2025

I've used small canister vacuums in the past.

I haven't tried this, but it would be worth a try. How high of pressure do you really need?

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-cordless-high-volume-inflatordeflator-tool-only-57166.html

3930dave · Feb 3, 2025

Good suggestions guys, thanks !

I don't use a ton of it, and I'm not trying to sandblast steel, so don't really need crazy high pressure. Cans are convenient - I like the portability, to use quickly inside the house or outside. Derailed, by huffers.... thanks.

I already have an air-pig (portable tank), so could plumb that up. My olde Devilbiss compressor doesn't have a dryer, so would have to haul it into work to fill.... I can fix my laziness.... Work getting weird about perceived "random activity"... wish I could fix that.

If I go for an electric direct solution, am leaning towards corded, so will check out the one posted. With a low CAD it was already expensive enough getting things across the border, so am not looking forward to seeing where this prices @ today.....

(Unrelated example.... looked up a backpack recently posted by Ham Radio Tube (yt), about a month ago. Something like $29 USD, was $100 CAD on Amazon

)

Rgds, D.