Porter-Cable 60 gallon Air Compressor

[daddycreswell]

TSC is going to have a Porter Cable 60 gallon air compressor on sale black friday for $389.00. I am in the market for one, is this a good compressor? I mainly sandblast stuff, it is saying its 11.5 CFM at 90PSI. It will not be used all the time. I just want to make sure it is good and won't **** out on me. Very light uses.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/porter-cable-stationary-belt-drive-air-compressor-60-gal

 

[rburke65]

What do you have now feeding your sandblaster?

 

[daddycreswell]

What do you have now feeding your sandblaster?

Small 15 gallon craftsman, runs all the time.

 

[rburke65]

I bet it does. I bought a 60 ...2stage Champion from TP Tools and it supplies plenty of air and keeps up well. I don't know about the possible TSC PCable.

 

[MoonRise]

Sandblasting is generally not "very light uses".

That particular compressor is rated at a 50% duty cycle. So, 1 minute on and 1 minute off.

Compare the blaster's listed CFM needs versus what the compressor lists as it's output CFM rating.

Check the specs on your sandblaster and see what it claims it needs as far as air supply cfm. Keep in mind that the air needed by a blaster is very dependent on which nozzle orifice you are using.

If the compressor CFM supply is greater than the blaster's CFM need, you are maybe OK (still have to consider duty cycle). If the blaster's CFM need is greater than the CFM supplied by the compressor, then you are not OK and will either be waiting for the compressor to 'recharge' or you will exceed the duty cycle rating on the compressor (and possibly burn either the pump or the motor out). Or both.

Just an FYI, the IR 60 gallon 5hp unit that TSC lists has a rated 100% duty cycle and is rated at 14.1 cfm @ 90 psi and 16.1 cfm @ 40 psi.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/ingersoll-rand-5-hp-air-compressor-60-gal?cm_vc=IOPDP2

 

[Falcon67]

>That particular compressor is rated at a 50% duty cycle. So, 1 minute on and 1 minute off.

Bah. I use mine for blasting in a big HF blast cabinet. Sure after a bit you have to take a break, but you usually have to anyway to turn the part or check progress. I'm not a production facility, I can spare a few minutes here and there. Same with head porting, grinding, working a cutoff wheel, etc. I've had my CH version (also $399) for about 15 years. Pretty decent compressor for $400.

I would agree that a 14 CFM 5HP unit at $650 is also a very good buy if you can spare the extra $250.

 

[strutaeng]

I believe duty cycles are based on 10 minute intervals, so a 50% duty cycle is 5 minutes on, 5 minutes off.

Sandblasting has got to be the most air compressor demanding job. You need a huge VOLUME of air at 80-110 psi for practical work. This is all dictated by the nozzle orifice.

Some useful information:

https://www.texasblaster.com/index.php?dispatch=pages.view&page_id=6
https://www.texasblaster.com/index.php?dispatch=pages.view&page_id=8

 

[Orange65]

I have that air compressor- just got it a month or so ago. I like it. Works so far but only for airing up tires. The break in procedure is a 30 minute continuous run, so I would say it is good for at least 30 minutes of continuous running. I plan on using mine for some sand blasting eventually.

 

[BPJOOP93]

I have the same compressor. Had it for seven or eight years. Use it for blasting and all the other stuff I shop requires. Has worked great for me so far.