Other uses for air compressor?

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Jay Lonner

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Mar 30, 2022, 6:37:46 PM3/30/22
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I’m gearing up for experimenting with tubeless tires per the Analog guide, so I just bought a an air compressor with appropriate inflation attachments. It’s obviously great for keeping my tires topped up, but I’m wondering if it has other clever uses. Blowing out grit I guess, and drying stuff off — anything else? 

Jay Lonner
Bellingham, WA

Jon Dukeman

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Mar 30, 2022, 6:47:32 PM3/30/22
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Blowing off the decreasing fluid from the bike parts you just cleaned.
Blowing out the filter of your shop vac.
Hooking up a paint gun assembly.
Setting up a sand blaster 

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eddietheflay

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Mar 30, 2022, 8:25:27 PM3/30/22
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If you ever install silicone bar grips and need to get them off again, then the right chuck on your compressor pushed under the lip of the grip will help slide those suckers right off. Wolf Tooth Mega Fat Paw grips are wonderful and expensive...a screw driver will not be your friend, but your compressor and a nozzle like this will be:  https://www.amazon.com/NEIKO-31112-Nozzle-Compressor-Accessories/dp/B000FVUO4G/ref=asc_df_B000FVUO4G/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309869401414&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15636188630762504664&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032311&hvtargid=pla-406644609735&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=63364097444&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=309869401414&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15636188630762504664&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032311&hvtargid=pla-406644609735

Joe Mullins

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Mar 30, 2022, 8:42:55 PM3/30/22
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Ok now that’s a great tip Eddie! Thanks for helping save some grips from getting thrashed!

Joe

On Mar 30, 2022, at 5:25 PM, eddietheflay <eddiet...@gmail.com> wrote:

If you ever install silicone bar grips and need to get them off again, then the right chuck on your compressor pushed under the lip of the grip will help slide those suckers right off. Wolf Tooth Mega Fat Paw grips are wonderful and expensive...a screw driver will not be your friend, but your compressor and a nozzle like this will be:  https://www.amazon.com/NEIKO-31112-Nozzle-Compressor-Accessories/dp/B000FVUO4G/ref=asc_df_B000FVUO4G/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309869401414&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15636188630762504664&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032311&hvtargid=pla-406644609735&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=63364097444&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=309869401414&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15636188630762504664&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032311&hvtargid=pla-406644609735

Eric Marth

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Mar 30, 2022, 10:51:54 PM3/30/22
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I have an air compressor to run my nail guns, also comes in handy for blowing off table saw or sawdust in general. If you make things the uses are endless, essential shop tool. As @row2nowhere mentions you can also use them for spray painting rigs and sandblasting but these work best with larger than usual compressors because they require a lot of air (I had to rent a massive diesel-powered compressor once to run a dry-ice media blaster for removing paint from brick). 

As far as bikes:
  • drying off metal parts you're cleaning and overhauling (compressed air gets them nooks as dry as the crannies!)
  • drying off yr bike after a good wash
  • fillin' ya tires 
  • installing and removing plastic and rubber grips of all kinds (works like a miracle)
I honestly use my compressor so frequently and without thinking about it that I'm struggling to come up with uses. Great for a "shop shower" when you get really dirty or dusty (or get a bunch of crap in your hair) and can just blow it all off and out. 

Please remember, compressed air can be dangerous! A message from RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents). 

Screen Shot 2022-03-30 at 10.50.29 PM.png

rlti...@gmail.com

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Mar 30, 2022, 11:21:54 PM3/30/22
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I have a decent size compressor at home and use it often for maintaining auto tire pressures and for blowing the dust out of garage. I use it to blow the crud off of the coils under the fridge too. It’s also great for scaring the cat…

Robert Tilley
San Diego, CA

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 30, 2022, at 7:51 PM, Eric Marth <eric...@gmail.com> wrote:

I have an air compressor to run my nail guns, also comes in handy for blowing off table saw or sawdust in general. If you make things the uses are endless, essential shop tool. As @row2nowhere mentions you can also use them for spray painting rigs and sandblasting but these work best with larger than usual compressors because they require a lot of air (I had to rent a massive diesel-powered compressor once to run a dry-ice media blaster for removing paint from brick). 

Garth

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Mar 31, 2022, 7:40:24 AM3/31/22
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I'll Play !

Every "so often" I'll use the air compressor, outside with some cardboard slid between the bike and chain, and literally "clean" the chain that way. Spin the chain backwards and hold the spray nozzle right up close to the chain. Wipe, repeat as necessary. I consider this a "deep clean", hah hah.... as if a "dirty" chain could ever be "made clean" ... or a "clean" chain "made dirty"...... oh but that's another story.

This works for me for the conditions I ride in as I always wipe off any excess oil from the chain. I even use bulk/drip-able WD-40 as lube, or airtool oil sometimes. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone though, live and let live, do and let do ... not like there is any choice in the matter anyways .... (laughing).....

I also use the compressor for blowing off any excess brake dust, or where ever I see stuff than can be blown off. I don't do this often, only if this, when that .... you know how that goes.... "I do it as/when I do it".

Otherwise, some obvious and not to obvious outdoor uses include tires for any motor vehicles, snow blowers, tractors/riding mowers, and anything with a tire valve....power washers/tools, blowing the dust out of fans/air filters, reusable vacuum bags and anytime I want to quick dry/blow off "something" suitable for such air. Of course the pressure is adjustable on most compressors. We have an ancient one in the basement that has no adjustment.

All of this is done outdoors, for obvious reasons. The only time I used it indoor for blowing air was for a bathroom fan vent duct that went straight up. A high pressure AC leaf type blower(and I mean HIGH) also works for that, and for blowing out the buildup of lint in dryer vent tubes. Seal around the blower nozzle with a wet rag and crank it up.... weeeeee !  It sounds like Dorothy being blown up into the sky on her way to Wonderland ...... "oh we're off to the see the Wizard ..... the wonderful Wizard of Oz .....tah dah !"

eddietheflay

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Mar 31, 2022, 8:37:48 AM3/31/22
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vid of install and uninstall grips using compressor:

George Schick

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Mar 31, 2022, 8:49:09 AM3/31/22
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Don't forget to use it to blow the built up residue out of your coffee grinder!  (see resurrected post, "Coffee Grinder Question")

Will Boericke

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Mar 31, 2022, 9:34:34 AM3/31/22
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Impact wrench!  My favorite compressor accessory.  Also detail sander.

Joe Mullins

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Mar 31, 2022, 1:01:45 PM3/31/22
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I’m still so floored about that grip removal hack, especially after watching that video. Makes it look like a piece of cake!

If you have a project that needs a million staples such as building a wire-caged veggie garden, an air stapler is indispensable. 

Joe

On Mar 31, 2022, at 6:34 AM, Will Boericke <wboe...@gmail.com> wrote:

Impact wrench!  My favorite compressor accessory.  Also detail sander.
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