Cleaning Saws With Compressed Air - Objections?

[drf256]

I block off the exhaust deflectors with foam, especially on a ported saw, before I use compressed air.

It's really one of the most effective ways to clean a saw off IMHO. But many of my saws have big deflectors that could easily catch some of the garbage.

 

[smokey7]

I use air all the time every day. I watch around crank seals and carbs but everything gets is. Just use your head and be careful on delicate areas and wear safty glasses.

 

[Redbull661]

I've been worrying about my saw's health lately. It's out in the Sun quite a bit and I ran out of sunscreen for it. : (

 

[CR888]

I've been worrying about my saw's health lately. It's out in the Sun quite a bit and I ran out of sunscreen for it. : (

Highly irresponsible taking your saws outside, think of what could happen to them! A true PSP rarely ever let's a saw out in the elements, they are to be pizz revved without b&c, polished & put back into a temperature controlled environment!

 

[junkman]

Highly irresponsible taking your saws outside, think of what could happen to them! A true PSP rarely ever let's a saw out in the elements, they are to be pizz revved without b&c, polished & put back into a temperature controlled environment!

My 660 amd a 440 have been sitting outside several weeks now on the mill ,i am starting to feel bad ,should at least blow them off i guess

 

[Simondo]

My 660 amd a 440 have been sitting outside several weeks now on the mill ,i am starting to feel bad ,should at least blow them off i guess

You will have the "PRM" cruelty division round at that rate !!

 

[angelo c]

Please, no name calling or sarcasm, as I would like to share any input and information with some mutual acquaintances (not here on OPE).

Thanks!

Philbert

Im out. Sorry Philbert....no sarcasm or name calling and that just leaves me out of the thread
but I always use air to clean off the saws, just use "indirect" air to do the airfilters. gotta be gentile on the flockers...( oops...just hadda do it)

 

[grassguerilla]

If not for compressed air all my saws would look like craigslist finds. Caked in bar oil and packed with dust and chips. As to air filters, if they won't survive a gentle clean up with around 30-40 psi and a gentle angle with a bit of distance, I figure they need replaced anyway. Unless of course they're NLA.

 

[exSW]

Oh no,something else I've been doing for 35 years is wrong!

 

[Woodpecker]

Another vote here for the careful use of compressed air on my saws. In the field I use worn out garage sale paint brushes to clean off the chips before refuel, oil, and chain changes.

 

[junkman]

When air is not around i scrape the oily caked on stuff off with a bar wrench ,during chain swaps normally .Wipe the rest off with my glove .

 

[CoreyB]

I carry a 1" paint brush as well. Use it togive the saw a quick dusting at fuel ups and a screw driver or scrench to scrape the cake.
How about letting the saw idle while blowing off especially near exhaust and through the flywheel?

 

[junkman]

The spark screen should keep the crap out good enough .I would not worry about it if they are intact .

 

[stihl saws]

Air is like any other tool. There's a right and a wrong way to use it. I always blow my saws off. I don't hit the filters with 150psi close up though.

 

[fearofpavement]

Air is my primary means of saw cleaning. I don't recommend a pressure washer to clean saws although I know some do it as well.
Could he have been confused pressure washing with air pressure? I just can't see someone in the know with a "no compressed air" recommendation. Other than blasting off paint on mag bodied saws, I've never known of any detriments to cleaning with air. Well, the already mentioned mess in the shop (sweeping compound) and junk getting all over the mechanic are the two main problems with it...

 

[Philbert]

My 'field' methods are old toothbrushes (new ones if you want to splurge at Walgreens), and wooden popsicle sticks cut off at a sharp angle, to a point, for stuff stuck in a corner. Don't scratch like a metal scrench tip. I have used cut-off paint and chip brushes for light, dry dust. But nothing cleans like compressed air. Maybe he was confusing 'compressed air' with 'pressure washer': I don't encourage the latter, even though I know a number of guys do that, especially before flipping a saw on CL or eBay.

BTW, my 'secret weapon' for cleaning guide bars (posted before) are old sawzall / reciprocating saw blades, wrapped in duct tape, or covered in heat shrink tubing. Cheap, effective, and not a big deal if you do lose them. The angled nose 'plows' out the bar groove, and the tang cleans out tension adjuster and oil holes. The tape protects my hands, and helps me find them if I drop it (especially bright colors).

Philbert

 

[Al Smith]

If a compressor worries you use a leaf blower .They are also great for cleaning out the truck.Open the doors and blow it out,simple as that. It works good for cleaning out the garage too .

Tooth brushes are for teeth if you have any .Mine which cost me 3600 bucks go in a cup with Polident .Don't even need a brush .If they get too bad a wire brush works well .

 

[jakethesnake]

I use air mainly to blow the cooling fins off. Haven't had any issue I am guilty of letting them get pretty greasy. Last winter I was snowed in and I actually pulled the starters off and got in there with some air. It did help the saw stay cool Didn't seem to bother anything. I'd agree with some of the common sense posts. Avoid carb and don't blow a hole in the air filters But yeah I'd say compressor is a fine method. My saws don't get weekly baths so air is about as good as it gets

 

[Ronaldo]

Agree with everything I have read here so far. Been cleaning saws with compressed air for 30 plus years and don't know of any problems with it.
I figure it has to be better than letting that bar oil soaked wood dust build up in places that should be allowing air flow.

 

[Fish]

I use an air compressor for cleaning a chainsaw, guide bar, etc., whenever one is available. I have been cautioned about using high pressure air when cleaning air filters and fuel filters, because these could be damaged, allowing contaminants to pass through.

Recently, I met someone with considerable chainsaw experience who admonished me to never use compressed air for cleaning any part of the saw, but would not give me a reason. So am I looking for any input on why this might be discouraged.

Please, no name calling or sarcasm, as I would like to share any input and information with some mutual acquaintances (not here on OPE).

Thanks!

Philbert

I have always thought that a good blow makes everything better......