Sandblasting Cabinet and Air Compressor Questions-Can my compressor hack it?

[Model A Fan]

I am looking at a used SkatBlast cabinet (seller isn't sure which model, but based on the measurements and the seller's guess, its likely the 970DLX as it is nearly 5' long). He is selling it for a friend/relative and is asking $800 OBO. The seller hasn't run it, doesn't know much about it outside of his relative used it. He also isn't 100% sure if all the parts are present.

Here is the data from the company:

Skat Blast Cabinet

I have a 60gal Campbell-Hausfeld air compressor that puts out a decent amount of air, but what I'm hoping to find out is if my compressor can handle the size cabinet I'm looking at. If my compressor isn't beefy enough, is there a good option for my application without breaking the bank? I don't mind having to sandblast slowly while the tank refills. I emailed Skat Blast to ask if my compressor could handle it and their tech guy said either I'd have to blast intermittently or step down to a small nozzle and only blast smaller surface areas (it will take longer but my compressor will use less air and cycle less often). It is also $100 more on top of the cost. Blasting Gun-Small

Also, what is a decent deal for one in usable/decent shape? Given the cost of the machine is originally $1800+shipping, what would be a reasonable offer to make on it? I'm hoping I could get it for $600 or less if it seems complete and in good shape.

Compressor deets:

 

[GeoBruin]

In before dnschmidt responds and says you need a diesel powered compressor to blast!

But seriously, you didn't say how much air your CH puts out. 60 gallon doesn't mean much. They make 2 HP 60-gallon compressors that make 5ish CFM and 7.5 HP compressors that make 5 times that or more.

The Skat/TP tools gun has different jet/nozzle combinations you can run that allow you to use a compressor making 4-8 CFM (small) 10 - 15 CFM (Medium) and 20 to 25 CFM (Large). Just match the jet/nozzle to your compressor size and you will be able to blast more or less continuously, or with occasional breaks if you're at the low end of the range. And of course realize that you do less work with less air and a smaller nozzle.

Assuming the cabinet comes with the current TP tools gun, you don't need to buy the whole gun. Just the jet/nozzle kit. The steel version is $20, and the carbide version is $60.

Lots of compressor options but the cheap ones won't be much of an upgrade over your current. Once dnschmidt and jswain get here, they'll tell you buy an eaton/polar air/emax, and those start up around $3,000 but they sure look nice!

 

[Jswain]

@GeoBruin
Nah, I'll just wait til he takes your advice and recommend it after he comes back complaining about how bad his sandblasting setup works.

I wish Washington was a little closer, because then I would offer him $400 for the giant sandblasting cabinet he bought for the 10cfm compressor.

 

[Model A Fan]

So what would an appropriate compressor be? I'm on a budget of sorts, but if I can get a good price on the cabinet, I'll use what I have til I can get bigger/better.

I'm trying to figure out what I will end up paying if I go this route. I know my compressor could handle a Barrel Blaster, but the size this one handles is really appealing. I have a WWII Jeep to restore and lots of parts to blast. Also having a big blaster opens up possibilities for more hobby projects.

 

[NakeDiesel]

I think your compressor is going to be undersized for your blaster. I've got a 7.5hp 80 gallon compressor from Eaton that I've used to blast with my pressure pot for years and now have a big blasting cabinet as well and run a 15cfm nozzle in it. My compressor keeps up easily with it cycling or I can run the compressor continuously depending on how much blasting I've got to do. My cabinet also had the option of the larger 20+cfm nozzle which would have been way at the max of my compressors capabilities.

I'd get the blaster and then get the smaller nozzle kit for it and it should work for you, but keep the larger nozzle setup for when you can afford a larger compressor setup. The other thing you need to think about is dry air. Make sure your sending very dry air through to your blasting cabinet. I run a chiller after my compressor and have drains setup all throughout my shop, but never have moisture when I check because of the chiller.

I'm restoring my 1963 John Deere 4010 in my shop and blasting large parts in my cyclone 24"x48" blasting cabinet including my 100lb wheel weights.

 

[Nessism]

I'd buy it. As mentioned, match the nozzle size to your compressors output.

For years, I blasted using an undersized compressor. It was frustrating at times, waiting for the tank to refill, but that didn't stop me from using the setup regularly. Eventually, I got a bigger compressor, which was faster.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I have been cabinet blasting for years and find that 20cfm is a comfortable level. More air is good, and too much is just enough.

 

[dnschmidt]

I'm going in for knee surgery today so I'll be nice. For the correct answer refer to GeoBruin's last paragraph above.

 

[NakeDiesel]

Eaton for the win... Had this setup for about 20 years now. Blasted a 69 Camaro, my mud race truck, several other trucks, many other parts of vehicles and farm parts, and painted many vehicles with it.



plumbed in winter vs summer fresh air source

 

[finn]

The $800 price quoted is already a very good deal, and is just above what I paid for a Skat cabinet with dust extractor . Mine is the next size down. I looked for months before mine popped up. At worst case, you can sell it for what you paid and recoup 100% of your investment.

Once you get it set up, purchase the smallest nozzle they offer, and try it out. Go for the ceramic version, so you’re only out $20 is it’s not meeting your expectations. If it’s working “good enough”, buy the carbide nozzle, as it will last longer.

If it’s absolutely too slow, you’re going to have to get a bigger compressor, but I suspect that’s something you will want to do eventually anyway. I think Skat still deals in Champion compressors, and their pricing is reasonable. I am getting by with a rebuilt Champion head with a three hp motor and (80?) gallon tank. On my to do list is to source a 5 hp motor and appropriate pulley to make the cabinet more useful, but in the interim taking a break every ten minutes works fine for me.

It’s all about managing expectations. I would jump on the cabinet for $800 and go from there. Someone will tell you they got a cabinet for a few cents on the dollar. Good for them, and ask them to sell it to you for what they paid…. Isn’t going to happen.

 

[Doubled33]

I would make a deal on the cabinet and buy it. A large cabinet is nice to have if you have the room for it.

Hook it up to what you have and see how things go knowing you may have to upgrade the compressor or make the nozzle smaller.

You did not say what you were blasting. Some things will clean up OK on reduced pressure and others will just piss you off.

 

[Model A Fan]

Thank you all for the advice/info/input.

I plan on blasting car parts (fenders, engine components, etc), tools, etc. Just a hobbyist in reality. I'm rebuilding a WWII Jeep and have a lot of parts that I can reuse if I can economically sandblast instead of taking them to someone to get it done or buying new. I figured that for the cost of a blaster and perhaps an upgrade on my compressor I'd be good to go and come out ahead by doing the work myself. So really, even with a less than efficient setup, blasting for myself I'm saving/breaking even, and in the end I'll have a blaster setup with restored parts for my project.

I'll check out the cabinet and if I buy it, purchase a small nozzle. Skat Blast's tech support said the "small" nozzle will be fine with my compressor as it is designed for 4-8CFM @ 80PSI if I recall correctly. It might go slower than an industrial style setup, but I can afford the cost if it gets me going on my project. I've stalled out as I need quite a bit of sandblasting due to rust, and an engine rebuild, so cost of labor/work definitely is an issue.

What kind of mask would be needed for blasting in a cabinet? I'd prefer not to get silicosis...

 

[NakeDiesel]

Thank you all for the advice/info/input.

I plan on blasting car parts (fenders, engine components, etc), tools, etc. Just a hobbyist in reality. I'm rebuilding a WWII Jeep and have a lot of parts that I can reuse if I can economically sandblast instead of taking them to someone to get it done or buying new. I figured that for the cost of a blaster and perhaps an upgrade on my compressor I'd be good to go and come out ahead by doing the work myself. So really, even with a less than efficient setup, blasting for myself I'm saving/breaking even, and in the end I'll have a blaster setup with restored parts for my project.

I'll check out the cabinet and if I buy it, purchase a small nozzle. Skat Blast's tech support said the "small" nozzle will be fine with my compressor as it is designed for 4-8CFM @ 80PSI if I recall correctly. It might go slower than an industrial style setup, but I can afford the cost if it gets me going on my project. I've stalled out as I need quite a bit of sandblasting due to rust, and an engine rebuild, so cost of labor/work definitely is an issue.

What kind of mask would be needed for blasting in a cabinet? I'd prefer not to get silicosis...

I use glass beads I pick up at harbor freight. Shouldn't be using actual sand, it's bad for you. My system has a dust collection system that runs while I'm blasting and don't really have anything escaping while I'm running it.

 

[finn]

Like Nake said, don’t use sand. I use beads or coal slag derivatives like Black Beauty. You’ll need the finer stuff if you downside the nozzle.

Keep the air pressure low on sheet metal parts or they’ll warp.

I use a 3M painters head gear, with replaceable filters that used to run around $16 at swap meets, although I saw last week that HF had something similar for $19.

 

[Doubled33]

Thank you all for the advice/info/input.

I plan on blasting car parts (fenders, engine components, etc), tools, etc. Just a hobbyist in reality. I'm rebuilding a WWII Jeep and have a lot of parts that I can reuse if I can economically sandblast instead of taking them to someone to get it done or buying new. I figured that for the cost of a blaster and perhaps an upgrade on my compressor I'd be good to go and come out ahead by doing the work myself. So really, even with a less than efficient setup, blasting for myself I'm saving/breaking even, and in the end I'll have a blaster setup with restored parts for my project.

I'll check out the cabinet and if I buy it, purchase a small nozzle. Skat Blast's tech support said the "small" nozzle will be fine with my compressor as it is designed for 4-8CFM @ 80PSI if I recall correctly. It might go slower than an industrial style setup, but I can afford the cost if it gets me going on my project. I've stalled out as I need quite a bit of sandblasting due to rust, and an engine rebuild, so cost of labor/work definitely is an issue.

What kind of mask would be needed for blasting in a cabinet? I'd prefer not to get silicosis...

Go to Potters Ballotini’s website. They have some good charts on beads.

I blast things like the attached. These take some decent air and are not super quick to clean.

 

[NakeDiesel]

This is what I use with my pressure pot outside under my blasting hood. I have a small air pump that supplies fresh air through a 100' hose.

 

[Model A Fan]

I got it! It is massive, and really will built. Nothing flimsy like a Harbor Freight type. It cost me $700









What is the consensus on this type of compressor here? It's $1500 at Tractor Supply. It's a little disappointing the compressor says "Made in the USA", and the pump says "Made in India" on it. India isn't known as a major powerhouse for cranking out quality metal products.

 

[dnschmidt]

One step below what you really need but good enough. if you give a 7.5HP compressor a 100%, meaning you can blast continuously I'd give this 75% which sure beats the 25% of the compressor you currently have. It will be LOUD which is why I recommend the EMAX with the silencer.

 

[T444e]

I have no issue using my 5 hp compressor (Quincy) blasting (Skat Blast 970-DLX), the compressor recovers and cycles off while I'm blasting. The only time the compressor couldn't keep up is with someone else using a die grinder while I'm blasting, not a regular occurrence.

 

[finn]

I got it! It is massive, and really will built. Nothing flimsy like a Harbor Freight type. It cost me $700









What is the consensus on this type of compressor here? It's $1500 at Tractor Supply. It's a little disappointing the compressor says "Made in the USA", and the pump says "Made in India" on it. India isn't known as a major powerhouse for cranking out quality metal products.

Pretty much the same as the cabinet I found on Marketplace last fall, but I think mine is the next width down.

I have been eyeing those TSC Ingersoll compressors for a while. There was a rash of posts with people having motor issues with them several years ago, but it’s been quiet since then. I think TSC moves quite a few of them here, but this is a pretty small and remote market.

I think I’ll stick with Champion if I don’t repower my current ancient Champion with a new motor and pulley.

 

[NakeDiesel]

Congrats on the purchase. They are very handy on restoring old rusty parts.

One of the things I love about my Cyclone is the clamshell design, I can lift heavy parts into it with my cherry picker. I also built a rolling base for it so I can move it around my shop and get it out of the way when not using it.

 

[Model A Fan]

One step below what you really need but good enough. if you give a 7.5HP compressor a 100%, meaning you can blast continuously I'd give this 75% which sure beats the 25% of the compressor you currently have. It will be LOUD which is why I recommend the EMAX with the silencer.

What's a price point I should be looking at for a used one like this? $1500 seems a bit...high. What would a reasonable price be to pay for one like this? Per my research, it's a 2-stage, but used, older, and no warranty.

I've seen a LOT of older 3ph compressors, but that seems expensive given the cost to convert them to single phase. Lots of high priced compressors in the PNW.

 

[Jswain]

That's a "7" HP compressor. Which isn't actually 7hp, more like 5, as it's listed at 23amps on the sticker.

Way too much money for it used.

You searched for 5 hp - Eaton Compressor

Here's the compressor @GeoBruin loves to hate see recommended. Not that I'm recommending it. But when you see the specs, that it comes with a name brand motor(5hp, not a 3hp who somehow identifies as a 5hp with sly marketing). 17cfm @ 175psi for ~$2400 brand new.

Seems silly to spend $1500 on a very lesser model, that's 20? Years old, with maybe no parts availability, unknown tank condition etc. etc. etc.

 

[T444e]

Without seeing the motor plate, the air delivery looks like a 5hp compressor.

 

[NakeDiesel]

Hate on eaton, but I can call them up and still get parts for mine that is about 20 years old. Had to replace the bleed off valve about a year ago and my auto drain. Everything else works great on it and use it almost daily on some task or another.

 

[Model A Fan]

Well, if I find an Eaton, I'll have to strongly consider it, but the new ones are a bit out of my reach for how little I would use it.

How are Belaire compressors? Model 216V is available in my area, but the guy wants an offer. I don't know what is worth, and I'm not a big fan of the make an offer aspect as there isn't much info about them it seems.

 

[Nessism]

What's a price point I should be looking at for a used one like this? $1500 seems a bit...high. What would a reasonable price be to pay for one like this? Per my research, it's a 2-stage, but used, older, and no warranty.

I've seen a LOT of older 3ph compressors, but that seems expensive given the cost to convert them to single phase. Lots of high priced compressors in the PNW.

I have a very similar compressor, branded DeVilbiss. No doubt, the manufacturer sold it to various different companies.

I bought it cheaply, and at low hours. It blew the motor caps, tripped the Klixon a few times, and was a bit of a struggle for a while. I put a smaller pulley on the compressor, so it spun slower, but I think it mostly just needed some break in usage. Fingers crossed, mine has been solid ever since. It's not a commercial grade unit by any measure, though.

 

[Jswain]

Well, if I find an Eaton, I'll have to strongly consider it, but the new ones are a bit out of my reach for how little I would use it.

How are Belaire compressors? Model 216V is available in my area, but the guy wants an offer. I don't know what is worth, and I'm not a big fan of the make an offer aspect as there isn't much info about them it seems.

Not that I was recommending it, but it's a price to look at for a true 5hp quality compressor brand new. Say with a 40? Years service life.

So if you find a true 5hp quality used compressor, that is 20? Years old, cut the price of that Eaton in half and that's the most I would pay.

Craftsman's/dewalts/insert box store brand name here with the cheap "spl" motors, cheaper reed valve pumps, light weight tanks etc assume 25? Year service life. Maybe $1800? Purchase price new, and do the math.

If you don't want to buy new(and I don't blame you, I buy almost everything used). Then I simply wouldn't buy anything right now. Wait until a quality unit comes up for sale used. It might take a year or two, if it's a really good deal instead of questioning it put down what you're doing and go pick it up because many other people are also looking for that good deal.

If you don't have the money to swing now are you going to have the money to replace the tank if you find out it's no good? The motor? The pump because it doesn't have replaceable rod bearings and the previous owner ran it out of oil, got it freed up and put fresh oil in it to resell to you? You need to get a good deal to buy a 20 year old used compressor, not 30% off

Look at the price of a new 80gallon 175psi tank. Or a 1750rpm Baldor motor. Or a quality 5hp pump. Not going to be an easy pill to swallow

I paid $350 Canadian for mine, and the guy loaded it with a forklift. 5hp Baldor, 2004 tank in great shape & a Saylor beall 705 clone pump in great shape. It needed a pressure switch and a magnetic starter. I know it sounds like a unicorn deal but I've seen quite a few similar since I've purchased mine. If it was $1500 I wouldn't even consider it.

If you don't check the buy/sell ads everyday, sometimes multiple times a day your odds of stumbling upon a unicorn are slim. Most of the ones I've picked up(a lot) over the years have been posted for only a few minutes.

 

[larry4406]

I bought a Puma TUE-7580VM in 2010 (14 years ago). It has performed extremely well for me.

7.5 HP, 80 gallon tank, 240V, 24.8 cfm at 100 psi, 22.8 cfm at 175 psi.

Mine came with a Baldor motor. Looks like today they have a different motor.

Wow the price has gone up! In 2010 I paid $1472.99 shipped to my house via lift gate service. Today these are $2899 shipping included. Price almost doubled in 14 years.

 

[GeoBruin]

Well, if I find an Eaton, I'll have to strongly consider it, but the new ones are a bit out of my reach for how little I would use it.

How are Belaire compressors? Model 216V is available in my area, but the guy wants an offer. I don't know what is worth, and I'm not a big fan of the make an offer aspect as there isn't much info about them it seems.

Hot tip regarding the Bellaire 216v: Harbor Freight sold a version using the same pump as that model for several years under the US General brand. If you see one of these come up used, you can save a bundle because it's a "HF compressor".

 

[danielbuck]

What is the consensus on this type of compressor here? It's $1500 at Tractor Supply. It's a little disappointing the compressor says "Made in the USA", and the pump says "Made in India" on it. India isn't known as a major powerhouse for cranking out quality metal products.

We've gone from "proudly made in the USA" to "proudly assembled in USA". pretty soon they are just going to read "proudly sold in the USA".

 

[cosmokenney]

I have a 60gal Campbell-Hausfeld air compressor that puts out a decent amount of air, but what I'm hoping to find out is if my compressor can handle the size cabinet I'm looking at. If my compressor isn't beefy enough, is there a good option for my application without breaking the bank? I don't mind having to sandblast slowly while the tank refills. I emailed Skat Blast to ask if my compressor could handle it and their tech guy said either I'd have to blast intermittently or step down to a small nozzle and only blast smaller surface areas (it will take longer but my compressor will use less air and cycle less often). It is also $100 more on top of the cost. Blasting Gun-Small

If your air compressor can't hack it, I would keep it but add another an run them connected to each other:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=run+multiple+air+compressors+in+series

 

[finn]

I’ve bought two used compressors in the past 15 years. One, a Champion with a professionally rebuilt R15 (I think) pump was $265 the other, Rand 4000 with an Italian pump that looks to be the same as that Craftsman, plus a new Marathon 5 hp motor ( made in Marathon Wisconsin) was $300.

Both are old, the Champion being from the 1970s, and the Rand, as in Ingersol Rand, is from the eighties.

That aluminum Italian pump shows up on a lot of different compressors out there, and was still in production a couple of years ago when I was looking at different compressors. It’s relatively noisy.

For less than $700 I ended up with two compressors, ( in different locations) although given inflation, I would at least double that now to get something useable. I haven‘t had any issues with either, but I don’t know if I would recommend the used path to someone else. I was willing to take a chance, but I think that from a safety standpoint, if nothing else, I should have bit the bullet and bought new, as I now have a couple of really old compressors.

 

[Jswain]

I’ve bought two used compressors in the past 15 years. One, a Champion with a professionally rebuilt R15 (I think) pump was $265 the other, Rand 4000 with an Italian pump that looks to be the same as that Craftsman, plus a new Marathon 5 hp motor ( made in Marathon Wisconsin) was $300.

Both are old, the Champion being from the 1970s, and the Rand, as in Ingersol Rand, is from the eighties.

That aluminum Italian pump shows up on a lot of different compressors out there, and was still in production a couple of years ago when I was looking at different compressors. It’s relatively noisy.

For less than $700 I ended up with two compressors, ( in different locations) although given inflation, I would at least double that now to get something useable. I haven‘t had any issues with either, but I don’t know if I would recommend the used path to someone else. I was willing to take a chance, but I think that from a safety standpoint, if nothing else, I should have bit the bullet and bought new, as I now have a couple of really old compressors.

Exactly right. You take a risk at the chance of saving a lot of money. If you are very mechanically inclined it really helps. But you need to get it for enough of a deal if you get it home and it needs an expensive part, you're still not past the cost of new, otherwise you'll be feeling pretty stupid with a 30 year old tank & pump with a new motor, for the same cost as an entire new compressor.

Used Champion, Kellogg, SB / clones, old IR, old quincy, old devilbliss etc. hell ya, provided it's not a turd

Used DeWalt, craftsman, husky, insert other box store brands here, unless the deal is very, very, very good...hell no

 

[lbhsbz]

I do a lot of blasting, and have a ingersoll 5 hp 2 stage compressor with an 80 gallon storage tank. It is the absolute minimum I would want and I'm using smaller cabinets. My compressor is rated for 17.5 CfMs at 90psi I think (or something close to that) and a 100% duty cycle.....it's not uncommon for it to be running for hours straight....gets a bit hot, even with my aftercooler setup.

I'd look for a minimum of 25CFMs, which put you in the 7.5hp + category, 10hp would be better....but then consider the power to run it.

Running your blaster with a 10CFM compressor is going to be miserable.

 

[dkmc]

In before dnschmidt responds and says you need a diesel powered compressor to blast!

X2 on the need for Diesel drinking compressor.

Other than that, IMO piston compressor pumps should be made from cast iron not die cast aluminum.
Quincy QR 325, 340 or similar for the OP's size cabinet.
Or Diesel

 

[Model A Fan]

I'll perhaps just run what I have and keep looking. This is sort of representative of what I seem to find in my area.

He's asking $800 ($1200 Canadian) for a 30 year old compressor that he says runs fine. Everyone with a bigger compressor seems to have disconnected it from their power source and its sitting un-testable on a pallet. Supposedly it's a 60gal, 7.5hp, 2 stage pump Ingersoll-Rand but labeled Rotair (claims rebuilt by Rotair).

If I could get him down lower to $500 US, I'd likely risk it, unless that's a very foolish move...I'm not in a hurry, but the pickings are s-l-i-m around here and everyone wants more than they're worth. Also the color *****

 

[finn]

You guys slay me.

The OP is stressing at paying $800 for a used blast cabinet, but you are telling him he can’t get anything done with anything less than a ten hp 33cfm compressor that will cost him from $5000 to $7000, plus another $1200 to rewire his residential garage for the 60 amp 240 v circuit that monstrosity will require, not to mention the rigging crew he needs to hire to get that monstrosity off the lift gate he has to hire.

He’s looking at $600-800 and you’re telling him to not play unless he scratches up another $10k to enter the game.

Get real. Not everybody needs professional, industrial grade equipment to support what sounds like a hobby.

How about all you guys start a go fund me or whatever they’re called and donate the money he’s going to need to play your game.

I have less than $1000 in my cabinet and 3hp Champion and it does fine on cleaning up car parts. I have another old Ingersoll 5hp I could use, but the old Champion works good enough, so it’s not worth spending a day moving that top heavy thing and risking damage.

 

[dkmc]

I have less than $1000 in my cabinet and 3hp Champion and it does fine on cleaning up car parts.

You must REALLY like to spend a LOT of time sandblasting.

 

[Jswain]

I'll perhaps just run what I have and keep looking. This is sort of representative of what I seem to find in my area.

He's asking $800 ($1200 Canadian) for a 30 year old compressor that he says runs fine. Everyone with a bigger compressor seems to have disconnected it from their power source and its sitting un-testable on a pallet. Supposedly it's a 60gal, 7.5hp, 2 stage pump Ingersoll-Rand but labeled Rotair (claims rebuilt by Rotair).

If I could get him down lower to $500 US, I'd likely risk it, unless that's a very foolish move...I'm not in a hurry, but the pickings are s-l-i-m around here and everyone wants more than they're worth. Also the color *****

That is a beast of a compressor for $800. If it runs that is a hell of a deal.

To replace that new, you're probably looking at 4-5k+(for a quality unit)

And you could also resell your current compressor, to cover a big portion of the cost...