Reddit reviews Metro Vacuum DV3ESD1 DataVac/3 ESD Anti-Static 1.7-HP Vacuum/Blower with Hepa Filter, Black
We found 13 Reddit comments about Metro Vacuum DV3ESD1 DataVac/3 ESD Anti-Static 1.7-HP Vacuum/Blower with Hepa Filter, Black. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
All steel constructionDatavac gives you 4 stages of filtration1.7 HP motor, weighs 21 lbs.Includes 3-6-Feet expandable stretch hose, crevice tools, dust brush, 5 extra triple layer micron bags, hepa filterMade in USA
Maybe he used an anti-static vacuum.
Don't buy that. The only ones you should be using cost several times that and are anti static. That is simply a reverse vacuum and it generates static electricity. The chance is real that you will fry something. It may not be high, but it is real, especially if you take your case off to blow out the heat sink and power supply. If you never want to use compressed air again you buy something like this http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-DV3ESD1-DataVac-Anti-Static/dp/B000RMQJBK
But for modern consumers a six dollar can of compressed air will last longer than a year.
Not my vacuum.
This is the model that I have. It works really well, I'm extremely satisfied with it. It also comes with a ground strap so it's fine to use on bare PCB's and other ESD setnsitive hardware.
https://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-DV3ESD1-DataVac-Anti-Static/dp/B000RMQJBK
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This thing's a lifesaver. really strong suction, small enough to carry on your shoulder, and built for server room environments/static abatement.
There are vacuums made for this.
Personally, I've pretty much stopped using canned air for dusting unless I have to, as I was sick and tired of sneezing and dusting all of MY equipment after I finished with customer equipment (also, it's pretty gross when you think of what that stuff is). Personally, I think water is a bad choice. A single drop gets where it doesn't belong and you potentially release the magic smoke.
My professional opinion is vacuums/cleaner wipes are the way to go.
For the vacuum, you don't want to use your home vacuum, as the air going through the tubes generates static electricity, and static+computers=bad. Metro Vacuums has a line called DataVac that are ESD safe. I own the middle option both at work and at home.
Low volume - http://amzn.com/B001J4ZOAW
Medium volume - http://amzn.com/B00MU2DE36
High volume (This one can use HEPA filters that can block toner particles, a must if you plan on cleaning laser printers/copers. The other units can't filter the tiny particles, and the supposedly make their way into the motor and chew stuff up, and aren't good to breathe either) - http://amzn.com/B000RMQJBK
I also use generic electronics cleaner wipes (like these: http://amzn.com/B004GCUJWM) to get all the smudgy stuff off of laptops. For the really grody ones, clorox wipes. I just don't hit the screen, and I usually follow up with an electronics wipe, as the clorox wipes leave streaks.
edit: I know the vacs aren't cheap, but canned air is freaking expensive too. At $3 a can, the ROI is pretty short on these vacs if you do much work on computers. I always clean any computer/server that comes across my workbench, as it just makes working on them easier, and improves customer satisfaction. I think of it like taking your car into the dealership for an oil change and finding out they washed and vacuumed it. It's just pleasant, and it takes less than 5 minutes.
don't do it unless you use one of these Back in my tech days, this was the cleanest way.
Unless of course you use an ESD certified anti-static vacuum (that will cost you a fortune). http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-DV3ESD1-DataVac-Anti-Static/dp/B000RMQJBK/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1333977440&sr=8-2-fkmr0
I have an anti-static vacuum similar to this one. I don't use compressed air because it just sprays dust everywhere.
Yeah, I got the names mixed up, I was talking about the MetroVac vacuums like this https://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-DV3ESD1-DataVac-Anti-Static/dp/B000RMQJBK .
I'm aware of what the manual says, I also believe it to be wrong. Note that it does not say not to blow it out, but here you're asserting that that's bad, so obviously the manual isn't the be-all, end-all of the discussion.
I've been working with electronics and computers for nearly three decades, and in the company of many with far more experience than that, and never have I heard a one of them say that a vacuum cleaner is a good idea around electronics (though I've heard a number argue the danger is overstated, and it's fine as long as you avoid direct contact.) But it's definitely a fact that they DO generate static electricity, and that it CAN discharge into electronics. I've seen it kill a number of parts first hand, whereas I've never once seen a part die from being blown.
Vacuums designed for electronics use are fairly expensive and special built for the purpose.
There is literally nothing in the machine that is a place "dust doesn't normally go" unless it's sealed, like the HDD itself, but I figure what you actual mean is that it can cause clumps to get blown into the way of moving parts, which is certainly true, and you should be careful to avoid it if there is heavy, noticeable blockage that's clumping together. If it's suspected to be heavy, or if there's a large aspiration of dust when blown out, at least partial disassembly with a more thorough cleaning is probably in order.
EDIT: Afterthoughts; the most common cause of clumping is either pet hair or smoking, so always be a bit more cautious around machines that are around either of those quite often - particularly smoking, since it creates a sticky, gooey film over everything and causes the dust to stick firmly together. And also, one a lot of people don't think about, but carpet powder is just awful for electronics, and it's notorious for being electrically conductive and causing shorts. If you use carpet powder around any of your expensive electronics, stop.
> All of the metro datavacs are anti static that's the point
No they aren't. There are special anti-static versions and those upvoting you should have realized that too before downvoting me. See here:
http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-DV3ESD1-DataVac-Anti-Static/dp/B000RMQJBK
Now compare it with this:
http://m.canadacomputers.com/mobile/itemid/039014
Now before you make such a broad and generalized statement like that you should research the product first along with those upvoting you and downvoting me. As for what makes them anti-static compared to the regular Datavac's there are two things: