What do YOU use your compressed air system for in YOUR shop?

[Kerry Krishna]

   I am just wanting to get some thoughts, pictures of the different things that a Luthier's shop would be using this equipment for.  I am not set up for spraying lacquer, nor do I want to be, but there are all kinds of other tools/jobs  that can be done with 'air'. 

  I need a bit of inspiration here... And pictures would be amazing... 

[Hesh Breakstone]

Sorry no pics for ya Kerry my friend but I do have what may be a rather obscure but useful application and justification for having an air compressor available in a Lutherie shop.

On occasion when wishing to get glue deep into difficult to reach places such as a loose brace in the box or a headstock crack that I am regluing compressed air is useful in blowing the glue into the far reaches of these difficult to reach places.  Of course some thought should always be given to using compressed air in a closed box when one's arm may also be restricting the free access of air to the inside of the box...

[Ned Knepp]

We did this sometimes on furniture repair in my Dad's shop when I was a teen. We used a "wand" type air sprayer but found that it's better to use lower pressure than what is used to drive most air tools. Other wise you spray glue all over the place and can actually leave the joint starved. If you have a good trigger on the wand you can easily regulate the pressure that way but remember to keep it in mind.

[michael mcclain]

spraying finish, vacume clamping of braces, bridges, etc,, powering tools, cleaning tools, and whatever else icomesw to mind!

[Eric Steven Johansen]

Kerry, I have two uses for air (three if I include breathing), spraying lacquer and cleaning out the debris from inside the box. I hadn't heard of the glue idea before, must investigate further.

[Kerry Krishna]

 What about all I have read about some of the power tools used in theindustrial woodworking industry? The routers for instance are said to last almost forever, but are uber-expensive. Has anyone seen a shop so equipped? 

   I read that shops set up like this were done so, because cash was available, and maintenance of these tools was hardly needed. 

[Robbie Collins]

Spraying, blowing dirt and dust, nailers, drum sander.