Now everybody cleans their keyboard differently. Wet wipes, shaking it upside down or sideways, acid brushes or not worrying about it. But most of you are probably just grabbing a can of air (I get mine in a 6 pack from Costco for like $20) and periodically give it a squirt.

Some of the stuff I use for camera equipment and keyboards. But then I happened to see at Overclock.net a blog type review here (a bit of a snoozer but most blogs are).


Introducing the DataVac Electric Duster, Model ED500, made in the good old USA. Company Link - Not for the Web 2.0 crowd (NSFW3.0)- waving flags and synth music ahead. This is an old line Brooklyn company. Actually the history is an interesting read. Yes, someday too you will grow up to look like GrandDad.

It's an AC corded, 500 watt, 3/4 hp, 70CFM electric blower. I bought it from Amazon for $42.

12 foot cord


Lots of attachments


The little white release button keeps the attachment from flying off


A couple of attachments didn't have the hole so 1/4" drill bit to the rescue.

Definitely more powerful than a Can of air.


Fun for teaching Newton's Laws


More importantly you don't have the down time when the can cools down (remember that pV=nRT?) and the pressure plummets? You often have to pause and wait for the pressure to come back up if you have a long cleaning job.

This is an actual product you can get at Amazon that uses these Thermodynamic principles. The Pooper Freezer


And I'm sure some of the people here have air compressors like I do. Unless you are in some industrial shop I find this actually puts out more air flow and you don't have to wait for air tank refills. A standard compressor will put out pretty moist air - not good for electronics. Plus, this is quite portable so will get used more.

To maintain just pull the foam disk and rinse out all the lint in the laundry sink or whatever. This also makes the blower safer than your typical can of air. It's filtered air so you shouldn't be hitting sensitive items with hard particles. More importantly you don't have any chance of the liquid propellant hitting your plastic/camera/whatever and causing damage.


Now it DOES make a bit of a mess with computers. It is so powerfully the lint goes EVERYWHERE. You may want to drag your computer outside or keep a air filter/vacuum filter running nearby.

I would still be careful with sensitive equipment. Experiment with the attachments before using it on a Camera sensor for example.

Metrovac has a full line of dog grooming products.

Maybe I'll use it to dry the dog


Use it to Dry Motorcycles. The motor heats up quickly and you get a low temp hair dryer. Works well for drying Keys!!

Love the narration: "Why just Suck when you can Blow"!


Speaking of Sexual connotations. In the Bedroom?

Highly recommended for the gadget freak! Now I'm not going to go "green" on you but it clearly will be more cost efficient in the long run IF you have multiple uses for it other than just cleaning keyboards. But the main advantage for me over a can of air is it's powerful and safe.

Check The Geekhack Mechanical Keyboard Guide - Your Fingers Deserve The Best!