CFM for blast cabinet vs Compressor

[jjwithers]

I'm about to set up a new 2 car garage for motorcycle restorations (my old garage is the size of a shoe box).

I received a Snap On blast cabinet through a friend - YA435. The specs state that it requires 18CFM at 100PSI coming from a compressor. Other similar sized cabinets (skat blast for example) only require 10-15CFM at 80psi.

It can make a big (and expensive) difference on what compressor to get.

Sometimes I need to blast a bunch of parts at once, sometimes just a part here or there. But in reality it's not going to be running all the time. I'll use the cabinet about once a week (on average).

I'm wondering if a different nozzle will help on the SnapOn cabinet to reduce the pressure needs... or if I can get away with a compressor around 14CFM vs 18CFM without waiting for the compressor to "catch up" all the time?

Was thinking 60 or 80 gallon.

 

[bob15]

The air jet and gun nozzle will dictate how many cfm's you require.

Maybe this will help:

https://www.tptools.com/Skat-Blast-Replacement-Ceramic-Siphon-Nozzles,282.html?b=d*8024

https://www.tptools.com/Skat-Blast-Replacement-Siphon-Air-Jets,283.html?b=d*8024

You will still want the largest compressor you realistically can get (cfm and tank size). I used a HF 60 gallon compressor & tank for many years but the compressor couldn't keep up so I would **** the tank down rather quickly. In time the tank (and compressed air) would get really hot and create a lot of condensation in my lines. Sure, I had filters to trap it, but water would get through and onto the piece I was blasting. Larger compressor and tank helps with the aforementioned problems.

 

[Crabman]

JJ,

I have the old TP 780 top load cabinet, maybe 20 years old. It has been a great tool, and it is sure simple to get parts from TP, nozzles, etc. I generally used the mediums so 10-15 was the recommendation range I was in also.

My compressor is an old (25-30 years) Black Max, i.e. Sanborn, 80 gallon, 5hp, single stage I bought for a deal used maybe also about 20 years ago. Rated at 11.9cfm at 90 I think. The cabinet could definitely overwhelm it a bit requiring a short wait for it to pump back up. I did not mind too much as I am a DIY. Plus the compressor is loud as hell, so I could go outside while she pumped!

I am looking at a new to me compressor and I am faced with the same issue. To kick it up over 15 in a meaningful way starts to push the price up for sure. My old one is in the workshop at my old house. Sadly the house burned down so I have a building lot with the 30 x 40 shop. I will probably (not sure yet) leave the old compressor there as the shop has a lift that needs air and it would be logistically much easier to buy a new to me one and install it in my new shop.

Bob makes an excellent point about nozzle size. I suppose it would not work as fast, but if you are not doing big parts, or using it any more than once a week, the tradeoff on the compressor expense may make sense to using the small nozzles.

Good luck with finding a good solution.

Bruce

 

[jjwithers]

Thanks guys. I'll go with the highest CFMs in my price range, and switch nozzles to compensate, if necessary. So many compressors to choose from...
I'm hoping whatever I get will last many years and be strong enough for my needs (air tools, blast cabinet)