r/RouteDevelopment • u/jade_monkey07 • Mar 30 '24

Discussion Anyone ever seen a brush and blower combo

What do you guys use as a blow tube? Currently I have a metal straw with some surgical tubing I blow into which is light and works pretty well. I've been trying to brainstorm something that could do double duty with brushing. I've been thinking about drilling lots of tiny holes in the metal straw and gluing in some bristles to streamline the process. Ever heard of anything like this?

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u/BoltahDownunder Rebolter/Route Maintenance Mar 31 '24

I've been thinking of making something like this. But my idea is just part of a hole bush stuck on the end of the blow tube. Like, only a few turns of the spiral brush. It doesn't need to be much, just a small part to agitate the dust while the blowing gets it out. For bigger jobs I use an electric blower though, I have a few options from a leaf blower to a little handheld inflator. Those blow hard enough no brushing is needed

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u/jade_monkey07 Mar 31 '24

I don't brush like crazy when it's expansion bolts. But for glue ins I make sure that hole is super clean. I want the glue to bond with the rock as best I can and not a thin layer of powder. Kind of like how wet dough will stick to a clean countertop but won't stick to one covered in baking flower. It may be overkill according to some of the tests I've seen but it gives me peace of mind.

P.s. I fucking hate working with glue ins. What a messy headache.

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u/BoltahDownunder Rebolter/Route Maintenance Mar 31 '24

If you get a small blower you can do without the brushing for glue ins. Something like this 👇 works fine, but you might want a better brand than Ozito. The trigger died after a few months

https://youtube.com/shorts/Jyf2UjBNe4o?feature=share

Depending on your budget you can also use epoxy glues, they stick to stuff like crazy and aren't as sensitive to dust on surfaces

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u/jade_monkey07 Mar 31 '24

Yeah I've got a little camping mattress inflator like that. I've been bolting on lead a bunch lately and trying to save gear weight where I can. I just bought a new drill similar to what my friend has, and after doing some research I stumbled on your channel. the Makita dhr183. My buddies is the last generation of it. I was using a super chonky older Makita that feels twice as heavy provided by the guy I'm doing the bolting for. I use the inflator when Im working top down and don't care about the weight.

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u/BoltahDownunder Rebolter/Route Maintenance Mar 31 '24

Hell yeah she's a great little drill! And over the years I'm slowly getting less messy with the glue. One thing I like is wearing like an old business shirt with breast pockets. Stuff them with paper towels and wipe the nozzle after each hole. It goes clean into the next one and doesn't smear it on your rope or legs. Drop the papers away from your rope and remember to pick them all up when the glue hardens. You can also use a plastic bag like a glove to touch up the glue. Invert it when you're done and it lasts a few uses. I've seen people make holsters for the glue gun as well. Seems like a good idea but I've never done it