I love my Silcas but some do work better than others. I don't think I ever heard of shavings in a Silca but it is possible. Is the nut tight? Aside from a dry leather washer the nut being loose can cause it to let air past. Did you check the valve in the bottom? It might be fouled and need a little oil.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk