Looking at buying a new compressor....

[paris_tj]

I am wanting to buy a new compressor. I run a small business from my shop and my craftsman 25 gallon is working fine for what I do, but I want to do some small sand blasting jobs. I have a couple old garden tractors I want to restore which will require some blasting.

I am looking at a 60 gallon, Craftsman, Puma, Husky, Kobalt all seem to put out about 11.3-11.5 CFM. Will that be enough to run one of the small 50# DIY sandblasting units from eastwood or the like? I will not be doing any blasting full time, just to for me to restore some stuff.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00916476000P - $474.99

The craftsman leading the pack since sears is real close to my place.

 

[rodm1]

It will take you forever. But it will work if you have the patients.

 

[CARS]

How do I say this nicely? NO!

That is not completely true, like rodm1 says it will take you forever and hurt the compressor. My 5hp 2 stage can barely handle my pressure blaster.

My suggestion if you are not in the business of blasting and painting is to farm out the blasting work to someone who is already set up for the work. They can do it fast and have experience (no warping). The learning curve is steep. You might render a panel useless.

 

[Gary S]

I am looking at a 60 gallon, Craftsman, Puma, Husky, Kobalt all seem to put out about 11.3-11.5 CFM. .

You are looking at this totally wrong. You don't measure the output of an air compressor by the size of the tank anymore than you measure the speed of a car by the size of its gas tank.
Air compressors are measured by CFM. These 11.3-11.5 cfm compressors are likely 3-3.5hp. You might want to consider a 5hp which will put out about 18cfm. You can still buy one with a 60 gallon tank if it makes you happy, or you can get one with an 80 gallon tank, or if you want, you can add any size gallon tank you want, but the limit of the compressor will still be the CFM it puts out.

 

[paris_tj]

Ok.
This is the unit I was looking at buying for very limited use.
http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-50lb-pressure-abrasive-blaster.html

It states "Requires just 10 cfm at 90 psi" so I was thinking the 11.5 might work. If not, would one of these work if coupled my existing 6.8 cfm @ 90 psi help any, that would make a total of 18.3 cfm and 6 HP.

 

[paris_tj]

I have so many small parts to do over time, by the pricing I have gotton so far, about $600 so that is why I was looking to do it myself.

 

[rburke65]

Time is money, so.....can you paint a house with a 2" paint brush? Yes....it just going to take some time. 5 hp., 2 stage and be done with it.

 

[Shadowdog500]

What is the duty cycle on that compressor? Most likely you will be pushing that compressor to its limitations and it will be getting hot as hell trying to keep up. I agree on getting a 5hp. An IR 5 HP single stage 60 gal is just under a grand at tractor supply or northern Hydraulics. for a few hundred more you can get a two stage but it may not be needed.

Chris

 

[ChristopherLutz]

This is an interesting question; apologies in advance - I have no wisdom for you. I have a 5hp 30 gallon Craftsman (oiless) and it gets used "a lot" for my hobbies. If I had to do it over again, I would definitely wait and buy a larger, quieter compressor.

The size of the compressor really limits activity - painting, blasting, etc.

I wish you luck....this seems like something many here struggle with.....we all seem frugal and space/money limited - so, spending $1500 or so on a compressort that won't limit our activity is tough.

 

[paris_tj]

So if I upgrade my budget a little, this would work? 100% DC, 18CFM, 60 Gallon?
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tools/air-compressors-air-tools-accessories/air-compressors/ingersoll-rand-5-hp-60-gal-single-stage-air-compressor-3301332

Again, I am only wanting to occasionally us this small 50# blaster. Maybe once every 3 months after this first batch of parts.

 

[jimmybjj]

bump, because i have the same needs as the original poster.

 

[rkirshner]

gary s
sorry i am new at this
can you tell me the importance or meaning of tank size
thanks

 

[Shadowdog500]

I just picked up an Ingersoll Rand SS5L5 from my local tractor supply. It is on sale for $849.99.
It puts out 18.1 CFM @ 90 PSI and 21 CFM at 40 PSI which is probably more than enough for your small bead blast setup. It also has a ton of great reviews all over the web with the exception of a couple starter capacitors burning out.

I stated it for the first time last night and really happy with the sound level
it is actually a little quieter than my Crafstman 2 HP compressor that was in my garage for the last 25+years.

Here is a video I made for another thread.

A bigger tank size only means that the compressor won't have to kick on as quickly or frequently than a smaller tank size. For a single guy working in a shop alone, using one tool at a time , 60 is usually enough tank. If you have a bigger shop where multiple people will be running multiple air tools you need to go bigger.

[/QUOTE]

 

[James Aiello]

I'm also buying a compressor soon, and have been looking into this for a couple years. I have a 6 hp Crapsman now that is about dead. Big waste of money but used it for 15 years. Sucked with about all air tools except my impact and tire chuck.
I'm looking at a 7.5 Quincy 80 gal. 22.6 cfm at 175 psi.
or similar models from Champion, Eaton or Saylor-Beall. They are more expensive then the makers you mentioned but trust me, the money will well spent because you get something that will work for what you want it to do.
And in the long run you will save money. Also the job will get done much faster with the higher CFM rated models.
With my Crapsman it takes an hour to blast an area the size of my hand.

James

 

[Tim Kennedy]

Go to: www.asedeals.com
They handle BelAire compressors - nice units - free shipping to
a business address & $40 to a residence.

They have all the details on their compressors on the site - definitely looks like my next compressor is coming from here. Their pumps are made in Italy & everything else is USA made - looked at an I/R at Tractor Supply & on the pump was stamped : Made in India

 

[James Aiello]

Yeah Tim I'm not hearing many good thing about IR now either.
I'm going to look into BelAire some more too. They looked good also.

Also you should not have to pay for shipping either, I noticed all the big shops have free shipping. I'm sure the $40 is for the lift gate.

Go to: www.asedeals.com
They handle BelAire compressors - nice units - free shipping to
a business address & $40 to a residence.

They have all the details on their compressors on the site - definitely looks like my next compressor is coming from here. Their pumps are made in Italy & everything else is USA made - looked at an I/R at Tractor Supply & on the pump was stamped : Made in India

 

[Shadowdog500]

The big HF compressor is made by BellAire.

You may save a little money and get it at your local HF.

Chris

 

[2fat2fly]

Here's what I have. I bought it wwith the intention of restoring my Camaro and blasting whatever parts needed it. I have yet to start the restoration, but I haven't regretted buying it. It does everything I need a compressor for.

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...2-stage-air-compressor-5.4-rhp/p-00916477000P

 

[1983Camperspecial]

good luck on that POS craftsman, I wouldn't buy any power tools from Sear ever.

 

[planecrazy29]

good luck on that POS craftsman, I wouldn't buy any power tools from Sear ever.

How is this helpful in any way? That POS craftsman is probably made by the same company that makes 90% of the compressors out there.

To the OP: Definately stick with 5 HP. I had a 3 HP that was similar to the first one you posted and it cannot keep up with a sand blaster. I bought a 5 horse, 2 stage, 60 gallon compressor on CL and am very happy with it.

 

[1983Camperspecial]

Its not helpful and wasn't ment to be, Do some research, that compressor is far from being 5 hp, maybe enough of an amp spike at start up to equal a true 5 hp , but its not a full 5hp running. far as being made where all the others are, even the HF pumps are made in Italy. Craftsman has taken a nosedive in quality in the past few years.

 

[HotRod68Camaro]

I just picked up an Ingersoll Rand SS5L5 from my local tractor supply. It is on sale for $849.99.
It puts out 18.1 CFM @ 90 PSI and 21 CFM at 40 PSI which is probably more than enough for your small bead blast setup. It also has a ton of great reviews all over the web with the exception of a couple starter capacitors burning out.

I stated it for the first time last night and really happy with the sound level
it is actually a little quieter than my Crafstman 2 HP compressor that was in my garage for the last 25+years.

Here is a video I made for another thread.

A bigger tank size only means that the compressor won't have to kick on as quickly or frequently than a smaller tank size. For a single guy working in a shop alone, using one tool at a time , 60 is usually enough tank. If you have a bigger shop where multiple people will be running multiple air tools you need to go bigger.

I am going to recommend this compressor as well. I just picked one up myself for a steal on Craigslist and it's a great compressor. Should suit your needs.