Chip Removal

[Burt Alcantara]

On average, how much pressure, in PSI, is needed to flush out the detritus in a hollow form? To clear the insides I use my shop vac and a toothbrush. Neither is very efficient so it's time to think about a compressor.

Most people would think I should buy something big for down-the-road. I've thought about this for a long time and realized that I have no need for air tools. The inexpensive equivalent is always available electrically at Harbor Freight.

On the other hand, I'm getting into airbrushing. There are a lot of virtually silent compressors in that field but they are in the sub 1hp range and very expensive. I'd rather go that route but don't know if I can get enough of a blast to clear my forms.

All suggestions are welcome!
Burt

[Jim Becker]

I blow it out with compressed air...a little air gun thingie that snaps on to the coiled air hose connected to the drop above the lathe. Sometimes, when it's packed in, I have to use a David Ellsworth "special chip extraction tool"...some bent wire :D...to help things along...

[Curt Fuller]

If I had a compressor, I'd use an air nozzle. But I don't so I use a piece of tubing about 1/2" dia by about 18" long. I just stick it in there and blow a couple times. Be careful not to inhale with the tube in your mouth. DAMHIKT.

[Russ Peters]

Not sure if this helps but I was at a club meeting in the Tri-cities area (Johnson City) and the demonstrator used a tea-spoon (long handle type) with a bend at the spoon end to clean out the HF that he was demonstrating turning. He made the comment that blowing it out put up a-lot of dust into the air. I am sure that someone that is a regular member of that club can give the name of the presenter and maybe a better description.

[Kennneth Sain]

For an air compressor that is not in continuous use, I'm quite pleased with my Craftsman unit. The best part it did not cost the price of numerous appendages. (Yes, I know Craftsman can be an equivalent of profanity, to some).:):(:confused::)

[Bob Opsitos]

I have one of the new dewalt high pressure ones
http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=15014

Quite happy with it, and I do spray, run some palm sanders, die grinders, powercrafter and such. I do have a second tank I picked up from work in line for when I need to do a lot of spraying.

For the longest time I had a small dewalt electric hand carry that I got along with fine as well. I just got the new one because it was a good deal and by selling the smaller one the upgrade was only like $70.

Bob

[Allen Neighbors]

I also have a drop above my lathe. My compressor kicks on at 90 and kicks off at 125 psi. That's what I use with a 10" nozzle on the end of my air gun. Just stick the tube inside the form and press the thumb lever.
Don't lean over to see how well it's doing. :D