New Sandblaster, need air compressor

[pwrblackout]

I am getting into sand blasting and am trying to find an air compressor to replace my oil-less 110v "5hp" compressor.

I am thinking of this kobalt 60 gallon 3.7 hp 2 stage but it is only 7.6 cfm at 90 psi, and only 75% duty cycle found at lowes (i can't post links yet) model # XC602000

Would I be better served with this IR 60 gallon 5 hp 1 stage because it is 14 cfm at 90 psi and 100% duty cycle for only a little more? model # 330133299 at tractor supply.

I have a 30 amp 240v line available in the garage and want to stay under $800 before tax.

 

[mcj115]

What are the specifications of you blaster? As of now knowing the compressor specs is only half the equation.

 

[pwrblackout]

Sorry, forgot about that!

I am going to start with the harbor freight 40 Lb. Capacity Floor Blast Cabinet with the youtube mods to make it perform acceptably. part # 68893

 

[pwrblackout]

i guess if i'm going to do blasting and some hvlp spray gun i'd need higher cfm and be better off with a 5hp single stage 60 gallon instead of a 3.6hp dual stage 60 gallon?

will the single stage be cycling on and off more because it cycles at a lower psi?

 

[Marctrees]

How about the HF 60 gal w the Italian pump?

Marc

 

[pwrblackout]

model 93274? it's a little higher than my budget at $850 but it is two stage and 5hp.. lots of cfms too.

EDIT: ah apparently it's not really two stage.


So is it a
single stage 5hp 100% duty cycle 14 cfm
or
two stage 3.7hp 75% duty cycle 7.6 cfm

for sand blasting if trying to stay under $800?

EDIT again: HF has a $50 off coupon, putting there's under the $800 limit. i'll see if it's in stock. if it's not really 2 stage but has 3 cylinders that should be good enough right?

 

[FriendOfYours]

The only advantage to that 2 stage is the slightly higher PSI, the cfm is not enough for what you want to do and honestly quite a joke in comparison.

Go used if you can. If the pump kicks the bucket, the HF replacement two cylinder is great.

 

[pwrblackout]

The only advantage to that 2 stage is the slightly higher PSI, the cfm is not enough for what you want to do and honestly quite a joke in comparison.

Go used if you can. If the pump kicks the bucket, the HF replacement two cylinder is great.

I've been browsing craigslist looking for a good used one but it's all 3 phase $5k+ units or oil-less stuff people are getting rid of

I'll be calling HF in the morning to see if they have one in stock.

 

[BCreekDave]

One other thing to consider if you are targeting sand blasting as the primary usage is a device called a pilot unloader valve. This is a valve that works in conjunction to the disc valves in the cylinder heads to basically bypass them. The advantage is it keeps the compressor from shutting off during blasting sessions. Why is this good? The hardest thing on a compressor is to constantly start and stop. It is better to keep running and just unload the valves to prevent an over pressure condition and then the compressor just “free wheels”. The air is circulated back through the cylinders allowing them to sort of self cool. It usually isn’t that expensive of an option but you only see it on higher quality compressors like Quincy,Eaton, etc. the side benefit is it keeps the shop a bit quieter as you don’t have the start-stop of the compressor. It it a simple flip of a switch so to speak ( it is generally non-electric) to activate the option.

https://www.google.com/search?q=pil...j0j7&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8


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[pwrblackout]

Thanks BCreekDave that is cool! I can choose a cheaper compressor model then add the unloader valve just before the tank to get a similar effect (without the recycling of course)?

 

[bugnut]

I have the same cabinet and moved up to the 80 gallon 2 stage noted below. It works and keeps up.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Campbel...or-14CFM-5HP-230V-1PH-HS5180-HS5180/300785629

provide enough cfm 14 CFM of air at 90 PSI for blasting

watch youtube and seal the cabinet. Simple mods make it better! If you are tall rotate the window position and save your back. I put rollers under the cabinet it goes where I need it to.

Enjoy!

 

[BCreekDave]

Thanks BCreekDave that is cool! I can choose a cheaper compressor model then add the unloader valve just before the tank to get a similar effect (without the recycling of course)?

I wouldn’t go so far as to say you could buy a cheaper or smaller compressor. Sandblasting takes a lot of air. It is basically an open air hose. Also don’t confuse tank size. The big portable sand blasting services don’t even have an air tank. It is all cfm from the compressor pump. Not knowing exactly your plans makes it a bit of a guess, but usually home compressors for sandblasting are usually 2 stage, 5 HP (real 5 HP with motors that draw 22-24 amps at 240volts) with ~20 cfm at 90 psi MINIMUM.


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[pwrblackout]

I wouldn’t go so far as to say you could buy a cheaper or smaller compressor. Sandblasting takes a lot of air. It is basically an open air hose. Also don’t confuse tank size. The big portable sand blasting services don’t even have an air tank. It is all cfm from the compressor pump. Not knowing exactly your plans makes it a bit of a guess, but usually home compressors for sandblasting are usually 2 stage, 5 HP (real 5 HP with motors that draw 22-24 amps at 240volts) with ~20 cfm at 90 psi MINIMUM.


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Sorry I meant I could get the HF one (cheaper than the brands you mentioned that have it by default) and slap the pilot unloader valve on the side to get at least partial benefit.

Just called HF, it's out of stock everywhere around me

 

[Jazz1]

I have a RK 5HP 18CFM @ 90. It keeps my pressure pot supplied but it does not get much rest when I'm blasting. I would not want a compressor with any less CFM. You don't want to waste time waiting on compressor to catch up.

 

[pwrblackout]

Looks like everything around me in the $800 range is either out of stock or doesn't have enough cfms.. Do I need to adjust my budget up to $1k to find something? what about https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_211720_211720#

 

[BCreekDave]

Might try Polar Air - Eaton. They sell the pumps separate. I’ve had good luck with mine and they also can set it up with the pilot unloader. Not sure how much they are. The pumps are a copy of the Saylor-Bell 705 I think


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[pwrblackout]

guess i'll start saving up lol, $1.6k for the cheapest 5hp https://eatoncompressor.com/product/5hp-air-compressor-single-phase-2-stage-80-gallon-vertical/

 

[American Locomotive]

That IR you posted would be good for the price, as long as you don't foresee the need for much more than 135 PSI.

 

[driftpin]

Looks like everything around me in the $800 range is either out of stock or doesn't have enough cfms.. Do I need to adjust my budget up to $1k to find something? what about https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_211720_211720#

Put your actual location instead of no-information, and perhaps you would get some help finding something.

Might try Polar Air - Eaton. They sell the pumps separate. I’ve had good luck with mine and they also can set it up with the pilot unloader. Not sure how much they are. The pumps are a copy of the Saylor-Bell 705 I think

I have a Saylor-Beall 705 I bought from a compressor sales and service shop my friend owns, no copycat equipment, the gen-yew-ine thing. It's got a Baldor 23 amp 240 v single-phase motor on it. It tests-out at 20 SCFM and can go-to 165 PSI, but I don't run it to that, I usually have it at 140 PSI. I have a Harbor Freight media blasting cabinet #42202, I was using glass beads, and I just switched-over to aluminum oxide, so-far I haven't seen much difference. The Saylor-Beall 705 has no issues keeping-up with my blasting cabinet.

Here's a cast-iron piece I just blasted and painted, 19" high by 13" wide, it's got a glass top I've yet to use, then it's going to-be a next-to the easy chair table.

My friend serves a 3 county area of ~7 million population, he services mostly commercial and industrial accounts. They often don't want to mess-with repairs, it's "how-soon can you install a replacement?" so they can resume operations. They don't want the old equipment taking-up space, they want it outta-there, so he removes it, brings it to the shop, fixes it and puts it up for-sale. Last time I was there, a scrap truck came by with a Saylor-Beall 705, almost identical to mine. My friend the shop-owner bought it for very-little, and after about 10 minutes of examining it, he told me, "it's gonna-be an easy repair," and used his forklift to remove it from the scrap truck.

 

[pwrblackout]

Thanks for everyone's help, i got the IR SS5L5 https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_211720_211720

$50 off and free shipping!

 

[Blickus]

This is the Ingersoll Rand compressor you need. Should be plenty for a little sandblasting. 5,100 cfm @ 150 psi. All you need is 2,300 volt 3 phase and a million dollars.

 

[American Locomotive]

Thanks for everyone's help, i got the IR SS5L5 https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_211720_211720

$50 off and free shipping!

Free shipping is a killer for that!

FWIW, my buddy has the same blasting cabinet, and his 11 CFM 3.7HP Husky can maintain about 90 PSI for continuous blasting. So that 15-18 CFM unit should have no problem at all.

 

[evintho]

Thanks for everyone's help, i got the IR SS5L5 https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_211720_211720
$50 off and free shipping!

Good choice! That's exactly what I have except I've got the 80 gallon tank. I've used it literally every day since 2006. I've had to replace 3 pressure relief valves and 1 motor which burned out 2 years ago. The motor was $200 and the valves $20 each. Not bad for 14 years of continuous service!



I blasted entire cars with my pressure blaster and the compressor has more than enough air to do continuous blasting. It never has to play catch up!

 

[Marctrees]

evintho - What nozzle size do you use for the above setup so it runs as you explain ??

Marc

 

[1950rockstar]

If I were going to start blasting again I'd start with figuring out what I'd be likely to be blasting and go from there. Indoor blasting is messy. The dust has to go somewhere. You need at least 20cfm to get anything done in a reasonable amount of time. That means a good 5hp compressor probably. And then you need to get that air free of moisture and oil before it gets to the blasting media.
So don't get me wrong, because blasting is more interesting than you'd first believe. You can do an unbelievable amount of stuff. But go in well informed and wideeyed.
Bottom line is maybe if you have a small unit like the one I described it will take a lot of your time.

 

[evintho]

evintho - What nozzle size do you use for the above setup so it runs as you explain ??
Marc

I'm running the 3/32" nozzle. If you go up to the next size 1/8" you'll need twice as much cfm.

 

[Shoreline_]

lol 5 years later.