I am looking for suggestions for a small hand-held vaccuum tool - preferably cordless - for sucking up loose dust/dirt and stuff not stuck down like loose ballasting. I currently use a small upright vaccuum with a wand attatchment but the suck is so strong you have to watch that you don’t depopulate your scenics or inadvertantly suck up some shrubs. You can get “soft” blowers but all this does is redistribute the debris. I have not found any such vaccuum tool in the usual places like Walthers, Michaels, Home Depot or the local hobby suppliers. Someone must have such a device.
You almost need a double-appliance effort. You would use a low pressure blower to dislodge dust and crud and have the regular vacuum wand pointed at the area blown but a safe distance away so that you aren’t vacuuming up details. Or, you can do what some of the fellas here say works like a charm…place a section of panty-hose in the wand and taped or clamped to the outside rim area. When you are done a section of the layout, remove the pany-hose and locate and retrieve items you’d prefer not to lose.
One way to reduce the suction is to drill a hole(s) in the attachment just before it plugs into the hose. Experiment with the size of hole starting with say, 1/2-inch. To restore full suction place your thumb over the hole or place a piece of tape over the hole(s).
I got a neat nozzle attatchment set designed for computers at a Homecenter that attaches to my mini shop vac. It has an adjustable relief hole like Alan speaks of to adjust suction. The mini shop vac is not as remote as a handheld cordless but is remote enough. On the other side of the coin, more power is there when I need it by simply adjusting the dampner. You can get mini shop vacs with decent power for around 30 bucks.
I use a 12V auto type vaccuum that plugs into sig-lighter. Cut off the lighter plug and put on two A clips that can be attached to the rails. The vaccuum is just strong enough to pick up dust and ballast and wont hurt the littlle folk if they get included.
What a neat idea!
I have small attachment set I bought at Harbor Freight, that fits onto a normal shop vacuum with an adapter.I could drill a hole, or whatever to regulate the vacuum, but I like your idea of the modified car vac.
Just one question, I run DCC, would it eventually harm the vac motor since it straight DC?
I could use an old DC power pack I have, actually have several of them.
It works great. Come with a 3’ x 1" hose and a few attachments. Real EZ to clean filter if you suck up something you didn’t mean to. Great for reclaiming ballast.
I once got eliminated from a spelling bee when I spelled weather o-u-e-t-h-u-r-e; my teacher said that that was the worst spell of weather we had had in that part of the country in many-a-year!
You might try going to a sewing machine store, they sell a vacum attachment kit that contains small hoses, wands, and etc. that are used for cleaning sewing machines.
Have a happy dusting Christmas. [:-^]
Also check the computer stores or even dollar stores for a small vacuum that’s used for cleaning keyboards and such. I use one that’s run by 2 AA batteries and fits the palm of my hand. I had it laying on the computer desk for years before I got the Walther’s Turntable, and the semi-stiff brush attachment is just right for cleaning the pit edge rail and rack.
I give up - I will concede the spelling B contest right now! I will also put a post-it on my key board to use the spell check. Spelling was never one of my skillsets so aside from the great suggestions for a vacuum tool - I will invest in a dictionary.
Thanks for the Boxing Day laugh - Happy Holidays to all.