Need Help - 60 Gal vs 80 Gal Compressor

[Higgins]

OK, I'm in the process of redoing the garage and I need to replace my compressor.

I need to do some sandblasting, but it's basically small parts etc. So I'm looking at either the Husky 3.7 HP or the Kobolt 3.7 HP 60 gal units. As both these units can handle 11.5 @ 90 PSI it should be able to handle most SB tools, as I'm not SB entire engines, frames, etc. So I think should work for me! ** COMMENTS **

If I purchase them locally, I forgo the $300 - $400 shipping charges. The problem I have is getting the unit out of my truck, OR, I'm going to have to remove the motor, and compressor so we can man handle the tank into the garage!

The reason I'm also looking at the 60 Gal compressor is due to the amount of room a 80 Gal unit takes up!

AL

 

[dmeadow]

There are some pics in a thread somewhere that show a member unloading his compressor from the bed of his truck with an engine hoist and slings. As top heavy as they are, that could be dicey. Can you beg, borrow or steal a trailer of some sort? It would be easier to roll on and roll off.

I've heard of folks laying them down, but the oil gets up in the motor and you have to let it stand for a few days to drain back. I think I'd avoid this method.

I think the capacity is borderline for sandblasting, but probably sufficient for your needs if you do small, occasional work. And don't mind waiting for the unit to catch up at times.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

You should be able to move it around easily with an engine hoist. Just pick it by the saddle/pump, etc. I moved my 120 gallon, 20 HP IR out of my truck and into position with two engine hoists and a couple friends. Once they are standing you can "walk" them into position by tilting them up on one foot and pivoting them around.

Those home store 60's are light. A couple guys could easily tip it over and carry it around. I wouldn't hesitate to move one around by myself with a hand truck.

A vertical 80 gallon unit doesn't take up that much more space than a vertical 60. You need about a 3' square area for an 80 (4' for an industrial machine). The 60 will want at least 2'. Not that big of a difference in the scheme of things. But if you are buying home store chinese junk then you should probably spend as little as possible to accomplish what you need to use it for to minimize the loss when it dies.

Sandblasting can be a worst case type of air usage. You can sandblast at any volume of air but the problem arises when you actually want to get something done without standing there for hours. I used to work for a compressor manufacturer - we had all the air you could ever want. I still spent HOURS at the blast cabinet and it tires your back and feet to be there any longer than you need to in that unnatural position. The lower your air volume the smaller nozzle you will be using and the longer it will take to clean your parts. Go to a larger nozzle and you will be waiting on the pump - because it's easy to put a 15 - 20 CFM nozzle on your gun so you can actually get some serious work done. But then the air end can't keep up with your demand. You will end up wishing you had 18 to 20 CFM - which is where the 5 HP 80 gallon units typically play.

GD

 

[Gary S]

Tank size isn't going to make much difference in the work that gets done. The CFM of the pump dictates that.
I bought my 5hp 60gallon 18.5CFM compressor locally. I picked it up at the store where they set it on the pickup with their forklift. Then, I drove it home and got some strong friends to help unload it. It weighed 350+ pounds, but it was bolted to a pallet so they can be unloaded and moved by hand if you have some strong friends to help.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Tank size isn't going to make much difference in the work that gets done. The CFM of the pump dictates that.

It *can* if you have a lot of capacity. The tank can deliver whatever CFM you plumb your tool for - till you bleed off too much pressure and the pump kicks on but can't keep up with usage. You want 100 CFM? You'll get it for a few seconds. The problem shows up under continuous use with a relatively small tank like the 30's and 60's. Blasting tends to take a lot of time and you'll be waiting on the pump a lot at 10 CFM delivery even on a modestly sized cabinet.

GD

 

[thightower]

I've got a 60 gallon horizontal in my shop. When Dad plumbed the shop he added another 60 gallon tank in the back corner for volume. A guy could add a 30 gallon tank for those times when you need a little extra.

 

[Major Ramifications]

The single stages that you describe are not very heavy. A couple of strong guys can handle it, or one strong guy with a ramp and an appliance dolly.

 

[turbodave]

60 gal aren't hard to move around. I moved mine on a small utility trailer and was able to unload it and move around the garage on my own.

Most of the box store compressors are only a 50% duty cycle and that's something to keep in mind if your going to be using it to run a blaster. While it may be able to keep up somewhat if you run the compressor 100% of the time, you are going to be doing a lot of waiting if you try and respect that duty cycle and let it rest for as long as it runs (eg. run 5min, wait 5min).

 

[Davefr]

I moved a 60 gallon IR compressor solo. It's not hard. Just lay it down flat with the motor/pump side in first. Use an old blanket.

At the destination you can pull it out and it'll be easy to get upright. Then just walk in into the shop by pivoting it side to side.

The homecenter units will be even easier since their lighter weight.

There's no problem moving these things horizontal. I'd drain the oil first but the rings will keep most of it out of the top end. However I'd let it sit upright for a few hours just to make sure. I'd also turn it over by hand just to make sure everything is OK.

 

[lametec]

I have a CH 60 gal (10.5 scfm or so), and it barely keeps up with my small sand blasting needs. It runs continuously when blasting anything with any kind of size to it.

I've considered getting another motor/pump combo and having it come on when blasting (when the pressure falls below the kick-in point of the primary compressor). Hasn't happened yet since I haven't come across one for cheap enough yet.

 

[sneakyfast]

In SB type of application it makes absolutely no difference about the tank size. Here's why....the tank cannot make any air. It can only store it so a tank is useful to dampen out demand when you have a fluctuating demands (the compressor will stay on longer and stay off longer). However, when SB this is a steady need of air so the tank size will not matter in the slightest.

 

[pipsters]

From what I've done in research, 10 cfm (@ 90psi) is really low for sand blasting. You need to shoot for 15 and closer to 18-20 if you can get it.

It might work but you will be stopping a lot to let the pressure build back up, and the pumps that put out 10 cfm @ 90psi aren't made for continuous use and will burn up if you do enough of it at one time.