geekhack

geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: Amarok on Wed, 27 March 2013, 21:10:08

Title: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: Amarok on Wed, 27 March 2013, 21:10:08
I am super obsessive about keeping dust off my boards, even the ones sitting behind my daily drivers that I don't type on. This costs a lost of money in compressed air. Has anyone used the datavac or something similar and have any recommendations?

The datavac for people who don't know what it is:
http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-ED500-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001J4ZOAW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364436475&sr=8-1&keywords=datavac
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: keymaster on Wed, 27 March 2013, 21:58:29
Yes, I borrow a Datavac from work time to time. If I didn't have access to it, I'd purchase one myself. It's that good. I've cleaned out my keyboard and computer case and parts with it. It left my graphics card and CPU heatsink spotless. :)
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: esoomenona on Wed, 27 March 2013, 22:17:54
Datavac has been on my to buy list for awhile. Sooner or later, I'll buy it.
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: bavman on Wed, 27 March 2013, 22:25:10
Every time I want to clean my computer I have to lug out the heavy 5 gallon air compressor and set it up :(

Datavac would be awesome, I have heard many good things about them
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: thegunner100 on Wed, 27 March 2013, 22:28:01
It's a great device, I use it to clean out my keyboards and desktop components. It's a lot more powerful than canned air.
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: PointyFox on Wed, 27 March 2013, 23:14:49
I have one.  Definitely get it.  Very powerful and equal to infinite canned air.
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: Amarok on Wed, 27 March 2013, 23:15:44
Ordered.  ;D
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: PointyFox on Wed, 27 March 2013, 23:25:30
 ;)

It actually has some kickback when you turn it on  :eek:

Oh..and don't let it near fat people.  They will get sucked into the air intake.  It actually happened.  The motor on mine started making a burning smell and I noticed they were blocking the intake and I turned it off.  It seems fine after that though.
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: Amarok on Wed, 27 March 2013, 23:33:07
Oh..and don't let it near fat people.  They will get sucked into the air intake.  It actually happened.  The motor on mine started making a burning smell and I noticed they were blocking the intake and I turned it off.  It seems fine after that though.

You're my new favorite person here for this quote.
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: TheQsanity on Wed, 27 March 2013, 23:50:57
I have one. I have yet to use it much recently but it has come very handy in more than just keeping the office clean. So many uses!
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: Lanx on Fri, 29 March 2013, 15:12:50
i didn't read any message, but BUY THE DATAVAC, it is LITERALLY like a mini leaf blower, it is THAT powerful.

i use it to clean my electronics

computer screens
keyboard

inside the computer

the ceiling

the blinds

the lamps

even outside my porch! i destroys cobwebs! i'm in an apartment so i ain't got no leaf blower, but this works!
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: tricheboars on Fri, 29 March 2013, 19:47:07
i am  hardware guy by day.  i use this little bastard all the time.

honestly though, i like canned air better. it is stronger, but if you get it on your skin and then touch food it is bitter as ****.
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: dante on Fri, 29 March 2013, 21:46:41
I don't have a datavac - I stick a straw into the keyboard and snort it out.
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: PointyFox on Fri, 29 March 2013, 22:50:07
i am  hardware guy by day.  i use this little bastard all the time.

honestly though, i like canned air better. it is stronger, but if you get it on your skin and then touch food it is bitter as ****.

Get air on your skin?
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: Amarok on Fri, 29 March 2013, 23:09:30
i am  hardware guy by day.  i use this little bastard all the time.

honestly though, i like canned air better. it is stronger, but if you get it on your skin and then touch food it is bitter as ****.

Get air on your skin?

A lot of compressed air contains a "bittering agent" to prevent people from inhaling it. If you use a lot of it, it tends to settle on your hands and stuff and it tastes AWFUL. I've even licked my lips one time after cleaning out my PC case and it was there too. :(
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: PointyFox on Fri, 29 March 2013, 23:11:49
i am  hardware guy by day.  i use this little bastard all the time.

honestly though, i like canned air better. it is stronger, but if you get it on your skin and then touch food it is bitter as ****.

Get air on your skin?

A lot of compressed air contains a "bittering agent" to prevent people from inhaling it. If you use a lot of it, it tends to settle on your hands and stuff and it tastes AWFUL. I've even licked my lips one time after cleaning out my PC case and it was there too. :(

Oh, thought you were talking about the Datavac, because the Datavac is stronger than canned air.
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: xredman on Sat, 30 March 2013, 00:29:36
I have that same exact model. It puts out tons of air with great amount of force. I use it for computers, keyboards, cleaning house, and etc.  I highly recommend it.
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 30 March 2013, 10:41:00
I have the tiny tooth brush size attachment that goes to a standard vacuum cleaner.. it's louder,, but way more powerful than the datavac..

oh, and it was $1 at harbor freight... so yea..  :))
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: Amarok on Sat, 30 March 2013, 11:38:42
I got it in the mail yesterday and I looooove it
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: PointyFox on Sat, 30 March 2013, 23:54:24
I have the tiny tooth brush size attachment that goes to a standard vacuum cleaner.. it's louder,, but way more powerful than the datavac..

oh, and it was $1 at harbor freight... so yea..  :))

How do you know?  Standard vacuum cleaners suck.  Datavac blows.
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: Amarok on Sun, 31 March 2013, 16:32:13
I gotta say, I don't know how I lived without this thing. SO MANY THINGS BENEFIT FROM BEING BLOWN AT
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: PointyFox on Sun, 31 March 2013, 17:43:52
Works well on lampshades and curtains.
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: rknize on Sun, 31 March 2013, 21:12:03
Not as powerful as a portatank pumped up to 100psi, but more than adequate for cleaning electronics.  Surprisingly powerful.
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 02 April 2013, 11:42:57
i am  hardware guy by day.  i use this little bastard all the time.

honestly though, i like canned air better. it is stronger, but if you get it on your skin and then touch food it is bitter as ****.

Get air on your skin?
[/quote]

A lot of compressed air contains a "bittering agent" to prevent people from inhaling it. If you use a lot of it, it tends to settle on your hands and stuff and it tastes AWFUL. I've even licked my lips one time after cleaning out my PC case and it was there too. :(
[/quote]

1000x this....I had a coworker who thought he would be 'funny' and blast people with the canned air so I tell him to taste it...he'll never do that again.

And thanks to the OP for pointing out the Datavac I'm going to talk to the boss we need something like that in a bad way, our office is extremely dusty.
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: aggiejy on Tue, 02 April 2013, 11:49:26
I have one and use it all the time.  It's loud as a jet engine, but otherwise no complaints. 
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: squarebox on Wed, 03 April 2013, 00:33:21
Datavac is worth every penny. It's strong enough to push down a Cherry MX red switch. Here's a stupid video I made :X
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: Michael on Wed, 03 April 2013, 00:46:47
I use an actual air compressor. Maybe it's overkill... but meh. Since when did any keyboard enthusiast care about overkill? :P
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: PointyFox on Fri, 05 April 2013, 22:42:31
Datavac is worth every penny. It's strong enough to push down a Cherry MX red switch. Here's a stupid video I made :X

I bet you could type with it.  Probably easier than the guy who types by playing specific notes on his guitar.
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: PointyFox on Wed, 03 September 2014, 20:25:11
Bumping since people are talking about this again.
Title: Re: Anyone have a Datavac?
Post by: 0100010 on Wed, 03 September 2014, 22:18:25
I just use one of those inflater / deflater pumps, like you would use with an air mattress or pool floating mat.  Sucks or blows, depending which end you connect the hose.