Matching Air Compressor to Blast Cabinet

[Craig Balzer]

I recently purchased and have installed a Campbell-Hausfled compressor that is rated at 17.2 CFM at 90 PSI.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200431248_200431248

The blast cabinet I am considering says the gun assembly needs 25 CFM at 90 to 100 PSI.
(http://www.sand-blasters.net/cyclonesuctionblastcabinetft6035.aspx)
The blast cabinet will be used to blast/clean car and engine parts during various restorations and clean-ups of mostly 60's/70's American iron.

Questions:

1. What affect(s) will I face being 8 CFM shy of the minimum requirement? Will I still be able to clean the part just do so slower? What negative affects?
   
2. Is it just a matter of ordering a different (smaller) gun? or do I need to find a different cabinet

TIA -- Craig

 

[The Cobbler]

you wont be able to run non stop with that , you will have some down time letting it build up again. think about adding another compressor inline for when you're blasting to make up the difference

 

[CGT80]

reducing the pressure will help and using high flow couplers like the milton V series also allows more air flow vs. the 1/4" industrial style, which allows you to use less pressure.


I didn't see that 7000 gun listed by its self on the web site, but I use a skat blast gun that has three sizes of nozzles. I can run the large 20-24 cfm nozzle and my compressor just keeps the pressure at about 90 psi and runs non stop. With the common industrial couplers, it would catch up and shut off or a while..........shows you how much the air was restricted.



Using a medium nozzle on that gun should work well with your compressor. They list a 7001 gun at 14cfm, but I have no idea if the nozzles are the same.



The bigger nozzle will work for you, but like mentioned above, you will have to pause every so often. I would try the smaller nozzle so you can blast as long as you want, just at a little slower rate.


I switched my gun to a bottom feed with a venturie (spelling?) to allow the media to move more easily, instead of a siphon feed from a tube. Try aluminum oxide or garnet instead of glass bead since they cut better, assuming the finish will be ok for you. It makes for faster blasting when removing rust and paint on auto parts.


My compressor is rated 17.7 at 175 psi but I am spinning it slightly faster than the rated rpm due to pulley size and timing the fill of the tank shows it is averaging 20 cfm, so I am 4 cfm less than the tip rating, hence barely keeping up.

 

[930dreamer]

Size the nozzle to the cfm you have.

 

[evintho]

 

[Jswain]

On the same page you linked they have the part number for the 14cfm nozzle which you should pick up. However I would still get the 25cfm nozzle with it and you could likely blast for a long time ~80psi with it without having to wait to catch up

 

[nadogail]

If you wont need the higher CFM on a regular basis consider getting an additional compressor to run in parallel with your existing compressor when you need the boost in air delivery.

Not the most efficient solution, but a low cost fix for the once in a while need.

 

[Craig Balzer]

All - thanks for your comments nd input. You confirmed what I knew and gave useful ideas on the way ahead.

Much appreciated