[vcf-midatlantic] Value of Air Compressor in CDL workshop

[Jameel Akari]

On Sun, 9 May 2021, Jason Perkins via vcf-midatlantic wrote:

> Being able to drag things outside and blow the cobwebs / mouse leavins away
> would be very useful.

That's my main usage of compressed air, where my shop intersects the 
computers.  Also, to force-dry things after they've been washed.

> Does the CDL building have 3 phase power already?

Because if it doesn't and that's a thing you'd need to pay for, I'd say 
that this probably isn't worth having.  There are very few air tools that 
don't have adequate or superior electric equivalents that you're liable to 
use in an electronics workshop.  Meanwhile, a $120 portable compressor is 
perfectly adequate for blowing off dust and poop once in a while and 
doesn't need special power or much in the way of maintenance.

Meanwhile most inexpensive hot-air soldering stations are self-contained, 
so you don't need regulated dried air.

A few years back I helped setup a makerspace nearby - one lesson learned 
was that kinds of tools that me and my friends could operate and maintain 
were sometimes beyond the skill, interest, or means of regular users. 
Just because it's free and a cool machine doesn't mean it's a good fit and 
sometimes it'll become more of a burden than a boon.

-- 
Jameel Akari



>
> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 10:15 PM Martin Flynn via vcf-midatlantic <
> vcf-midatlantic at lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
>
>> On 5/7/2021 9:17 PM, David Gesswein via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
>>> On Fri, May 07, 2021 at 08:39:19PM -0400, Martin Flynn via
>> vcf-midatlantic wrote:
>>>> CDL has an offer on the table for the donation of a used 5HP air
>> compressor.
>>>>
>>>> Grainger Model is 3Z724, needs work.
>>>>
>>>> Any value during workshops other than air for soldering stations?
>>>>
>>> For vintage computer I use one for cleaning dust out and blowing water
>> off
>>> boards I washed. Not critical piece of equipment. 5HP 220V is probably
>>> overkill for this usage. Mine is normal outlet type and annoyingly loud.
>>>
>>> Best to have hose that can get outside for my typical usage.
>>
>> Planned location is the 9059 furnace room, so a whip hose could be run
>> out the door, or into the classroom by the sink to catch the run-off water
>>
>> This unit is actually 208, 3 Phase.  It's belt driven and only turns
>> 1800 RPM at the motor pulley.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>

-- 
Jameel Akari