Re: ATM Re: atm-digest V1 #1582

[akelly <akelly@ghg.net>]

Hi Chuck,

        If you can assure that no oil or other non-atmospheric-gas matter is
ejected by the compressor then maybe you are OK (obviously, your experience
indicates you are..<g>), but the fear of such occurrence is why I've avoided air
compressors, "canned air", etc.  A clean, filtered shop vac just using a
squirrel-cage blower has given me no problems, especially since all I do with it
is blow off relatively clean water drops.  The initial hose-down that I do with
distilled water takes off any large particulate stuff.

Al K.
------------------------------------

Chuck Dethloff wrote:

> Mel & Al,
>
> I have tried the bellows, must not have been large enough one as it did not
> seem to generate enough air pressure.
>
> Am surprised at your comments Mel, and Al, regarding compressors. I have
> used mine for years with no problems, it is both an oil less model and has
> a trap to catch water, etc. I am careful to use lower pressure several feet
> away. It just blows off the dust nicely, does not seem to create any
> problems. Can not imagine that it would be any more damaging than a shop
> vacuum.
>
> Chuck
>
> At 03:16 PM 4/8/99 -0500, akelly wrote:
> >
> >Hi Mel,
> >
> >        Ten years ago we splurged on a dedicated fruit tree sprayer for
> >"hosing down" the Danciger 32.  It has had nothing in it but distilled
> >water for several years and continues to do the job nicely.
> >        I like the fireplace bellows pump idea..:).  We knew not to go the
> >air compressor route and we experimented with a shop-vac blower head before
> >determining it to be a good forced-air solution.  It has now served its
> >function very nicely for several years as well.
> >        I am the cleaner-upper of the 32" mirror and I must say it's still
> >a kick to stand *inside* a telescope with a water pump, an air blower, and
> >sundry supplies in hand, knowing that in just a few minutes the mirror will
> >be pristine and dry..:).  One of the very few positive things about living
> >in a high-humidity environment is that all the little water droplets can be
> >blown off of a mirror before they evaporate and leave their spotty
> >residue.  When we use this technique in West Texas we have to really
> >*hurry* <g>!
> >
> >Al Kelly
> >--------------------------------------------------
> >
> >Mel Bartels wrote:
> >
> >> The pump up sprayer is a good idea - I have used a large fireplace
> >> bellows pump for many years.  It generates a lot of pressure and really
> >> blows dirt and dust off.  A long time ago in a previous life I tried an
> >> air compressor.  That was really bad.  Don't do that unless you wish to
> >> convince yourself to commit suicide.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Clear skies, Mel Bartels
> >> http://www.efn.org/~mbartels
> >