Sandblasting - air compressor size

Posted By: MONC

Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 02:59 PM

Do you need a large air compressor to sandblast effectively?
I have a small 6 lb 150 psi compressor, will it work effectively to sandblast rust off of say ,axles, manifolds, front end components etc.. ?

And if so, anyone have any recommendations of home sandblasting kits ?

Posted By: dOc !

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 03:16 PM

PRESSURE or gravity feed SB unit ?

Posted By: redraptor

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 03:19 PM

You can run the snot out of yours if this is a one time thing. You'll need some way to get rid of the moisture that will be generated from the heat. You'll be stopping a lot waiting for it to catch up.
My buddy has been there done that, finally bought this for his medium sized blast cabinet. Keeps up well.
http://www.tptools.com/Champion-PL-Series-Pressure-Lubricated-Compressors,3269.html?b=d*8067

Posted By: MONC

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 03:34 PM

Quote:

PRESSURE or gravity feed SB unit ?

Not sure , which would work best with what I have?

Not looking to blast too much with it, just small projects every once in a while.

Posted By: dOc !

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 03:35 PM

PRESSURE feed is far better ... but they require more air-pressure and air CFM.

Posted By: mopar346

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 03:59 PM

Air volume and sustained pressure is king when blasting.

I have a 5 or 6 HP with a 60 gallon (I'm pretty sure) tank Black Max and I only generate about 100 psi or so that I use in the way you are talking about not sure about your 5 lb 150 psi statement. I have had the $250 Harbour Frieght cabunet and a 80 lb gravity feed canister blaster. It will keep up with the cabinet fine but runs constantly when I am working, it works with the canister but will literally run it out of air in about 5 minutes which causes it to use more sand. It works like a b!tch out of the gate but when the pressure drops to 60-70 it is less effective, still works just a notable differents, when I recognize it I stop and let the compressor pump up. 5 minutes may seem like a long time but it really isn't when you are blasting larger objects with less than optimal pressure. I could increase it's time span by added another storage tank but really haven't needed/choosen to do it. It definitely isn't good for the compressor.

If/when I have to buy a new compressor I would go with no less than an 80 gallon tank but really as big of a tank as I could afford at the time, even consider refurbushing an old gas station compressor ( I actually have an old dealership compressor I need to redo).

Hope this helps.

Posted By: MONC

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 04:08 PM

That helps put things in perspective, thanks.
My compressor is small not sure how many gallon but I know it's not anywhere near 80 like yours.
Doesn't sound like mine will do the job no matter what kind of sandblasting unit I get.

Posted By: dOc !

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 04:20 PM

Quote:

That helps put things in perspective, thanks.
My compressor is small not sure how many gallon but I know it's not anywhere near 80 like yours.
Doesn't sound like mine will do the job no matter what kind of sandblasting unit I get.

You CAN make it work if you get HUGE air storage. My past operation required 125 psi at 21 cfm for continuous usage BUTTT I never used the equipment that way. I "needed" a 10-15 HP unit to do that. But I used a 5 HP unit with almost 200 gallons of air storage.

Just find a bigger air tank to hook into your compressor system. It will work fine in spurts.

Posted By: mopar346

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 04:20 PM

It probably will for about 30 seconds.

Posted By: GomangoCuda

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 06:26 PM

Big. Real Big. Whatever size you can afford save your money and get one bigger yet. Nothing will bring a compressor to it's knees like sandblasting.

Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 07:44 PM

Quote:

Do you need a large air compressor to sandblast effectively?
I have a small 6 lb 150 psi compressor, will it work effectively to sandblast rust off of say ,axles, manifolds, front end components etc.. ?

And if so, anyone have any recommendations of home sandblasting kits ?

Yes.
No.

Got any links or pictures of your air compressor...6 lb? what's that mean?

Even a true 5 horse 80 gallon tank will not keep up, with a gravity feed or pressure pot blaster.

As cheap as a pressure pot is from HF, why would you invest your money in gravity fed deal?

But I would not spend 100 bucks on the one from HF, I would spend 400 bucks for 90 pounder from TP tools or some place like that. It's a way better deal and a lot's more blaster that will last a lifetime and be easier to use and be a ASME tank.

Sure a 5 horse 80 gallon tank will allow you to do small stuff, but not really well and you waste a lot of time and media like what was said above.
My 5hp 80 gal tank comes on with in 1-2 minutes of me using my blast cabinet and never goes off while I''m using it. That means it struggling to keep up. Using my pressure pot blaster outside in the parking lot, I'm out of enough efficient air within 1-2 minutes tops, 5 minutes is a long time.

And I can promise you, that you gain nothing by adding storage tanks, you are truly limited by the output of the compressor, nothing can make up for that.

More storage tanks only prolongs the compressor coming on during which time your wasting sand and time with a lower output pressure. Then when the compressor does kicks on you have to wait even longer until you get to full pressure again. It's a losing battle and can't be won with additional storage tanks. It all works out the same in the end.

If you have a lot to do, your time and money ahead to rent a tow behind diesel compressor like they use for jack hammers.
Minimum 100CFM

Posted By: 440gtx6

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 08:08 PM

I'm kind of in a similar situation, I just bought a Bad Boys Blaster Tornado series 125 lb pressure pot ($300) and have been looking for a compressor. Haven't seen a good deal on a engine powered compressor in some time and I'd rather not rent because I plan to add a blast cabinet too for frequent usage.

Since I'm on single phase power looks like 10 HP motor is as big as I can go. I see the Polar Air Eaton compressors out there more reasonably priced and they claim 35 scfm @ 175 psi ($2500).

Would that keep up reasonably well?

Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 08:17 PM

Quote:

I'm kind of in a similar situation, I just bought a Bad Boys Blaster Tornado series 125 lb pressure pot ($300) and have been looking for a compressor. Haven't seen a good deal on a engine powered compressor in some time and I'd rather not rent because I plan to add a blast cabinet too for frequent usage.

Since I'm on single phase power looks like 10 HP motor is as big as I can go. I see the Polar Air Eaton compressors out there more reasonably priced and they claim 35 scfm @ 175 psi ($2500).

Would that keep up reasonably well?

I would say yes, 35CFM should be enough. That sounds like a killer compressor. I was considering a 7.5 HP electric before going diesel.

100 is over kill and is usually the smallest of the tow behinds? But I'm not sure of that?

I rented this one(100 CFM) I bet 10 or more times from the tool rental and then asked how much to buy it?
I can't remember exactly how much it was, as it's been 10 or more years ago, it was around 3 grand I believe? Now I have it and have done countless larger jobs with it. Paid for it's self a long time ago.

Posted By: BarrsRestoration

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 08:20 PM

I researched for months and this is what I settled on. I have one of those Polar Air 10 hp 4 cyl uprights, and when talking with the owner of the company he advised against getting the 175 psi option because it cuts cfm. I went with the 150 psi setting and have enough air to blast using a large Texas Blaster pressure pot with a 3/4" i.d. hose and a 1/8" nozzle opening.
CFM is more important than the pressure. Our blaster is set for 125 psi.

Attached picture 8057458-DSCN3962.JPG

Posted By: BarrsRestoration

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 08:25 PM

With the drier I have no moisture, plus I'm using 3/4" aluminum pipe for my system, so that helps cool the air.

Attached picture 8057467-HPIM8573.JPG

Posted By: 440gtx6

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 08:26 PM

Yea, I've been looking for a gas or diesel on craiglist for some time and they're either worn out junk for $2-3K or $6K or more for a decent used one.

Posted By: 440gtx6

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 08:28 PM

That looks like a nice setup, how much was the drier?

Posted By: 440gtx6

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 08:29 PM

Quote:

I researched for months and this is what I settled on. I have one of those Polar Air 10 hp 4 cyl uprights, and when talking with the owner of the company he advised against getting the 175 psi option because it cuts cfm. I went with the 150 psi setting and have enough air to blast using a large Texas Blaster pressure pot with a 3/4" i.d. hose and a 1/8" nozzle opening.
CFM is more important than the pressure. Our blaster is set for 125 psi.

What do you like to use for media?

Posted By: BarrsRestoration

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/01/14 08:45 PM

I got the drier as part of a package deal they offer. Got mine in late 2012, don't know what the cost is now. I dealt with Megan on that. The drier is rated for 50 cfm, but the supplied external filter (they said) was rated at 35. It had 1/2" openings so I got a larger filter with 3/4" openings at Grainger. The last thing I wanted to do was choke it down coming straight out of the drier.

We use extra fine grade blasting sand for outside.

Posted By: paris401

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/02/14 05:04 PM

I have a large trinco cabinet..and a large compressor.. should have bought a 'larger' compressor... u never have enough air...

Posted By: Fishmarket

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/05/14 08:27 AM

Has anyone tried to "piggyback" two compressors together to increase cfms?

Posted By: rapom

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/05/14 02:11 PM

I have an 80 gal compressor that puts out just over 23 cfm at 150psi I think. I have a grainger water filter right where you plug in the air hose and one right on the pressurized sand blaster tank. It would run all the time but it would keep up. I also have a blasting cabinet and it easily keeps up with that and will even shut off while I'm blasting. It is important to size your nozzle right for the cfm you are using.

TP tools has a lot of info on compressors and cabinets.

Posted By: dOc !

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/05/14 02:35 PM

Quote:

I have an 80 gal compressor that puts out just over 23 cfm at 150psi I think.

You THINK ? ... specs and complete details please ..

Posted By: rapom

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/06/14 12:47 AM

If you look at the diagram at the bottom of this page.

http://www.aircompressor.com/imc-piston.html

I have the 318v model with a 5HP Baldor motor. I didn't even think you could still buy them as I bought mine at an auction 15 years ago and the date of manufacture is 7/26/90
Mine still looks brand new and runs quieter than a lot of the box store vertical compressors.

I guess it puts out just under 23cfms but I'm not sure at what pressure. After I bought it, I lowered my max pressure to 150 since I don't need all that extra pressure and I'm sure it will extend the life of it.

Like I said it keeps up with my sandblasting.

The Belaire also looks cool.

Posted By: chrisf

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/07/14 05:56 AM

I use a Ingersoll Rand 185 cfm rotary compressor for my blasting. its set at 125psi which is I have adjusted to 100psi at the pot. 90-ish at the nozzle.

Posted By: rapom

Re: Sandblasting - air compressor size - 03/07/14 02:08 PM

I also set my regulate my pressure blaster at 90psi and at 75psi at the cabinet.