Build your own vortex tube, which cools compressed air with no electricity or moving parts.
So you've hooked up a source of compressed air in your shop. It's super useful for blasting away dust and stuff, but wouldn't it also be great if you could control the temperature? If you had easy access to cold compressed air, for example, you could cool off your tools when they get too hot. Vortec Cold Air Gun 610
What you need is a vortex tube. A vortex tube is a piece of metal that splits a stream of compressed air into two streams: one hot and one cold. Typical vortex tubes can cost upwards of a hundred dollars, so here's a way you can make your own, courtesy of YouTuber This Old Tony:
Vortex tubes are pretty great because they can both heat and cool compressed air with no electricity or moving parts. However, building one can be a little tricky. The dimensions have to be just right or the cooling and heating effect won't be very good.
The vortex tube in the video managed to create about a 50-degree difference between the two ends, and with a little adjustment that could be improved. But if you really want a tube that can create a difference of a few hundred degrees, then you're better off just buying one.
Source: This Old Tony via Digg
Ego Power+ Electric Chainsaw Is 30% Off on Amazon
The Best String Trimmers for Spring 2023
These Flex Power Tools Are Up to 50% Off at Lowe’s
The Best Wood Planers for Your Shop
The Best Electric Mowers of 2023 for Any Yard
Watch Klein Tools Forge Its World-Famous Pliers
Black + Decker Portable A/C Is 23% Off on Amazon
The Best Cordless Leaf Blowers of 2023
Save 56% on This Champion Portable Generator
Craftsman’s 8-Tool Combo Kit Is 25% Off At Lowe’s
Portable Power Stations Are on Sale on Amazon
A Part of Hearst Digital Media
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.
242 31 Loctite ©2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.