Some vacuum cleaners have a hose attachment for the exhaust, so you could
actually blow the dust away.  I understand (from a co-worker) that its
commonly used in gold prospecting, using a gas engine or compressor as a
power source.  I only use my vacuum to suck up dog hair from my carpet.
Pam Asbury-Smith
SRI  Tucson


----- Original Message -----
From: "Daniel H. Weiskotten" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 5:50 PM
Subject: Archaeology Sucks


> During a recent project a volunteer asked me why I was blowing the dirt
and
> dust away instead of using a vacuum cleaner to suck it up and get it out
of
> the way for good.  I replied "because I am too lazy" but I'm sure he
> thought it was because I finally found a use for all that hot air (hold
the
> comments to yourself, please, this is a nice list).
>
> I know of several projects were vacuum cleaners have been used
> suckcessfully in cleaning floors, brickwork, burned timbers, etc., but I
> have never tried it myself.  I bet it works wonders in certain situations,
> and helps with photography, but I can think of a thousand situations that
> would be just asking for trouble.
>
> Have ye fellow listers experimented with vacuum cleaners (in archaeology,
I
> mean!  keep it CLEAN).
>
>         Dan W.
>