Pressure pot blaster suggestions

[restorick]

Question is directed to anyone who has a small pressure pot blaster (100lbs and less). I'm in the market for one to use outdoors on trailer frames, furniture and other items that won't fit in my Trinco cabinet. I'm not really interested in going cheap and having to do a bunch of mods. My research shows only a couple of units with 1/2" fittings throughout - Eastwood has one here: https://www.eastwood.com/ew-100lb-pressure-abrasive-blaster.html

Wondering if there are better options out there? I'd prefer to buy once, cry once.

Thanks in advance!
Rick

 

[GeoBruin]

Question is directed to anyone who has a small pressure pot blaster (100lbs and less). I'm in the market for one to use outdoors on trailer frames, furniture and other items that won't fit in my Trinco cabinet. I'm not really interested in going cheap and having to do a bunch of mods. My research shows only a couple of units with 1/2" fittings throughout - Eastwood has one here: https://www.eastwood.com/ew-100lb-pressure-abrasive-blaster.html

Wondering if there are better options out there? I'd prefer to buy once, cry once.

Thanks in advance!
Rick

No personal experience but this is an often recommended option.

Better Blaster 2023 - Texas Blaster

The Original Texas Blaster 150 lb pressurized media blaster. Established and built in Texas since 1963. We’ve been building and using the Texas Blaster for 60

texasblaster.com

 

[Jswain]

TBH the cheap units (HF/Eastwood/northern tool/wherever else) are just a tank with a hose and a couple valves so I wouldn't pay more for one then the other.

Plenty of air supply & clean dry media are going to be required to make any of them work great. If you have to use a tiny nozzle to make your compressor keep up & leads to a lot of clogging, it will be equally not enjoyable with any of the units.

However, that Texas blaster posted looks like it has a lot of features to improve using it & make it more convenient so depending on price it may be worth it depending how much you are going to use it.(And now looking at the $1300 price tag for the offroad ultimate it would have to be a lot of blasting)

 

[larry4406]

I have a pressure pot blaster that used to be offered by TP tools '99R (late 1980's) which they no longer sell . That said, it is similar to Brut https://brutmfg.com/product/pressure-fed-abrasive-sand-blaster-99h/

Works very well. Sift your grit and be mindful of water in air.

 

[b-dog]

I started with the Eastwood when I had to blast a truck frame outside. Shortly afterward, I bought a used blasting cabinet that came with a pressure pot like the one Larry posted above. My pressure pot has a foot pedal valve which is much easier to work than the Eastwood hand grip. I remember my hand getting fatigued and I'm a fairly strong rock climber. Having used both, I'm not sure I could justify the extra $700 above the Eastwood for a home hobbyist. I think my biggest recommendation is that I plumbed the pressure pot into the cabinet. Siphon guns are for the birds. And if you already have a cabinet then you know you'll need to buy consumables.

 

[mreisner]

I've had one of these for 25 years other than having to replace the hose that just rotted out from 25 years and various little wear Parts I've been extremely happy with it. They've also got a whole lot more expensive in the last 25 years.

 

[dkmc]

Search the used market for names like Clemco and Schmidt. They are the real deal.

 

[evintho]

I love my Texas Blaster! I used it to blast the entire underside of my '54 Ford, my roadster frame, tons of suspension parts and a host of other pieces. It's a real sandblaster! The 3/4" I.D. hose rocks! You will however need a serious compressor. I have an IR 5L5 single stage 5 hp w/80 gal tank. It's adequate and doesn't have to catch up but I can only use the smallest nozzle available. Some occasional clogs cuz I run Black Diamond media and sometimes a grain is larger than the nozzle opening. A 2-stage 7hp would allow a larger nozzle and that would be the bomb! Took about 2 hours to do my roadster frame. Oh yeah.....I've had it for about 7 years and back then the cost was $600 shipped!

 

[Snip's]

I made my own pressure pot to use walnut shells (Harbor Freight) to blast the carbon buildup on my MINI Cooper intake valves... Worked well... Made from shop scraps...
Used papercam for detailed assembly drawings...

 

[dkmc]

When I need 'more' air, I fire up the basket case. Well...it was a basket case when I got it.

 

[Plastikosmd]

These show up from time to time on Marketplace etc at a discount

 

[Steve_P]

I've had the HF one for 20+ years. I haven't used it in a decade, but it has many hours of use on it. If I had to do it over, I'd get the HF again- for home type hobby use. Yes, you may want to add some better accessories, but you can do a lot of upgrades for a few hundred dollars in comparison to the price of the competition. The Eastwood might be worth the 2X premium, but I can't see spending more than that given what you're buying- a pressure tank, hose, gun, filter... There's really not much to it that makes it hard to justify spending $$$$ on one for hobby use - it's not the end of the world to change out a few components when you assemble it.

Edit- you probably know, but you really need 20+ CFM at 100 PSI for this purpose. I looked at the TX blaster page and they say 11 CFM, which is BS - IMO. This is about the minimum for a cabinet blaster with a suction gun.

 

[GeoBruin]

I've had the HF one for 20+ years. I haven't used it in a decade, but it has many hours of use on it. If I had to do it over, I'd get the HF again- for home type hobby use. Yes, you may want to add some better accessories, but you can do a lot of upgrades for a few hundred dollars in comparison to the price of the competition. The Eastwood might be worth the 2X premium, but I can't see spending more than that given what you're buying- a pressure tank, hose, gun, filter... There's really not much to it that makes it hard to justify spending $$$$ on one for hobby use - it's not the end of the world to change out a few components when you assemble it.

Edit- you probably know, but you really need 20+ CFM at 100 PSI for this purpose. I looked at the TX blaster page and they say 11 CFM, which is BS - IMO. This is about the minimum for a cabinet blaster with a suction gun.

You must not have read the part on their page where they said that the air consumption depends heavily on the nozzle size you choose. Let me add the whole quote for you here:

"Write this down! Blasters do not require air to work.
Nozzles require air. Small nozzles require Small Air. Big nozzles require Big Air. Most compressor with 11 CFM will work."

I've said this over and over. Can you work faster with a bigger nozzle? Yes! But that doesn't mean there's some threshold like 20 cfm or 7.5 HP below which you can't do any work at all.

Anyone blasting truck frames regularly as a business already knows how much air is needed for that kind of use. But for Joe Blow looking to work on his project car at home, it's OKAY to run a smaller nozzle, or pause from time to time.

 

[Jswain]

You must not have read the part on their page where they said that the air consumption depends heavily on the nozzle size you choose. Let me add the whole quote for you here:

"Write this down! Blasters do not require air to work.
Nozzles require air. Small nozzles require Small Air. Big nozzles require Big Air. Most compressor with 11 CFM will work."

I've said this over and over. Can you work faster with a bigger nozzle? Yes! But that doesn't mean there's some threshold like 20 cfm or 7.5 HP below which you can't do any work at all.

Anyone blasting truck frames regularly as a business already knows how much air is needed for that kind of use. But for Joe Blow looking to work on his project car at home, it's OKAY to run a smaller nozzle, or pause from time to time.

To a point, and depending on your media. Small nozzles clog a lot more then big nozzles then you're just unclogging nozzles all day.

When I was using my pressure pot regularly it was very frustrating, clogging the nozzle every minute or two, I went up 1 nozzle size and the problem basically went away and I don't think I clogged one again, or at least so infrequent that it never bothered me. But going up one nozzle size is a healthy amount of extra CFM required.

But you are correct, you can run a pressure pot with an 11cfm compressor, just like you could paint your house with a 1/4" wide paint brush.

And if the choice were expensive pressure pot & ****** air supply vs. decent air supply and ****** pressure pot I'd take the ****** pressure pot 8 days a week.

 

[dkmc]

But you are correct, you can run a pressure pot with an 11cfm compressor, just like you could paint your house with a 1/4" wide paint brush.

And if the choice were expensive pressure pot & ****** air supply vs. decent air supply and ****** pressure pot I'd take the ****** pressure pot 8 days a week.

As long as they get you to buy their product they don't really care.

 

[driftpin]

When I need 'more' air, I fire up the basket case. Well...it was a basket case when I got it.

A good job on the compressor re-build.

Seeing your 'basket case,' reminds me of what I saw at the Gilmore Car Museum, located in Hickory Corners MI. It's in the middle of I-94, between Chicago and Detroit, just to the north of the Interstate. Recently it's been in an online article: https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/ent...he-largest-car-museums-in-the-u-s/ar-BB1iSzhm

If you're anywhere near SW Michigan, it would make a great day trip, and I suggest a full day to see what it has to offer.

Here's what I saw, and it's very interesting. For those of you who need 'more air.'





The Gilmore Car Museum has a vintage restaurant/diner on the grounds, the building was moved from elsewhere in Michigan and re-built on the museum's land. It was donated by members of a prominent local family, in honor of their parents. The oldest surviving member is a friend of mine. https://gilmorecarmuseum.org/visit/dining



There is another dining choice also on the grounds, the Heritage Cafe.





This was in-front of the dining area last time I visited the Gilmore Car Museum. Jim Gilmore sponsored AJ Foyt for many years. Jim's father Don started the museum.

 

[dkmc]

Looks like a cool place.
There's an engine/ tractor show we go to and these compressors are always there.

I didn't rebuild the basket case. Just straightened the PTO shaft that was bent, replaced an oil seal, and replaced the coupling
between the pump and engine, put it back together.

 

[Steve_P]

You must not have read the part on their page where they said that the air consumption depends heavily on the nozzle size you choose. Let me add the whole quote for you here:

"Write this down! Blasters do not require air to work.
Nozzles require air. Small nozzles require Small Air. Big nozzles require Big Air. Most compressor with 11 CFM will work."

I've said this over and over. Can you work faster with a bigger nozzle? Yes! But that doesn't mean there's some threshold like 20 cfm or 7.5 HP below which you can't do any work at all.

Anyone blasting truck frames regularly as a business already knows how much air is needed for that kind of use. But for Joe Blow looking to work on his project car at home, it's OKAY to run a smaller nozzle, or pause from time to time.

No, I read their BS nonsense. I have the HF and using their smallest nozzle, like 3.5 MM, an 11 CFM compressor will NOT keep up. Fact.

Have you ever actually used a pressure blaster? It sounds like you haven't if you think an 11 CFM compressor will keep up. It uses vastly more air than a cabinet blaster with a suction gun with the same size tip. Apples and oranges.

 

[GeoBruin]

No, I read their BS nonsense. I have the HF and using their smallest nozzle, like 3.5 MM, an 11 CFM compressor will NOT keep up. Fact.

Have you ever actually used a pressure blaster? It sounds like you haven't if you think an 11 CFM compressor will keep up. It uses vastly more air than a cabinet blaster with a suction gun with the same size tip. Apples and oranges.

I don't doubt your experience is true, but you still keep "calling BS" without actually reading their site. They provide a lot of detail about the performance of various nozzles. And yes, a 3.5mm nozzle likely consumes more than 11 CFM, but the nozzle they rate at 11 CFM (at 80 psi) is a 3/32" nozzle, which is only about 2.38 mm. Their next largest (1/8", about 3.175 mm) is rated at 20cfm at 80 psi.

Nozzles - Texas Blaster

NOZZLE - the business end of the blaster

texasblaster.com

 

[Jswain]

I don't doubt your experience is true, but you still keep "calling BS" without actually reading their site. They provide a lot of detail about the performance of various nozzles. And yes, a 3.5mm nozzle likely consumes more than 11 CFM, but the nozzle they rate at 11 CFM (at 80 psi) is a 3/32" nozzle, which is only about 2.38 mm. Their next largest (1/8", about 3.175 mm) is rated at 20cfm at 80 psi.

Nozzles - Texas Blaster

NOZZLE - the business end of the blaster

texasblaster.com

I think you'll find that most pressure blasting nozzle CFM usage charts only go down to 1/8". Is that for a reason?

IMO it's the smallest nozzle you want to use. Good news is if you use a smaller nozzle an 8cfm compressor could keep up, because you'll sandblast for 30 seconds and then unplug the nozzle for 10 minutes.

 

[GeoBruin]

Double post.

 

[GeoBruin]

3/32" Seems pretty common for something that's not usable.


Blast it all: https://blast-it-all.com/product/3-air-jet-with-3-32-orifice/

Eastwood: https://www.eastwood.com/pressure-blaster-ceramic-nozzle-3-32in.html

ALC: https://www.redlinestands.com/catal...01_507/alc-ceramic-pressure-nozzle-kit-p-2626

TP Tools: https://www.redlinestands.com/catal...01_507/alc-ceramic-pressure-nozzle-kit-p-2626

Keir: https://keirmfg.com/sandblasting

Cyclone: https://www.tillmantools.com/Cyclone-251-3-32-Ceramic-Nozzle-p/cyc251.htm

AllSource: https://pittsburghsprayequip.com/products/allsource-3-32-ceramic-pressure-nozzle-kit

Econoline: https://www.zoro.com/econoline-nozz...7iS7tUx1UbjWbMgzTthoCrpoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Jswain]

3/32" Seems pretty common for something that's not usable.


Blast it all: https://blast-it-all.com/product/3-air-jet-with-3-32-orifice/

Eastwood: https://www.eastwood.com/pressure-blaster-ceramic-nozzle-3-32in.html

ALC: https://www.redlinestands.com/catal...01_507/alc-ceramic-pressure-nozzle-kit-p-2626

TP Tools: https://www.redlinestands.com/catal...01_507/alc-ceramic-pressure-nozzle-kit-p-2626

Keir: https://keirmfg.com/sandblasting

Cyclone: https://www.tillmantools.com/Cyclone-251-3-32-Ceramic-Nozzle-p/cyc251.htm

AllSource: https://pittsburghsprayequip.com/products/allsource-3-32-ceramic-pressure-nozzle-kit

Econoline: https://www.zoro.com/econoline-nozz...7iS7tUx1UbjWbMgzTthoCrpoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Sure, well I've had 0 luck with 3/32" nozzle and 100% better results with 1/8", at the cost of air consumption.

Have you had better luck using a 3/32" nozzle?

 

[GeoBruin]

Sure, well I've had 0 luck with 3/32" nozzle and 100% better results with 1/8", at the cost of air consumption.

Have you had better luck using a 3/32" nozzle?

Nope, nor would I, because I'm not restricted to that kind of air flow. I'm really not trying to pick a fight just for the sake of it. I understand the golden rule of blasting (more air, more better), I started down this path because we started to see the same kind of rhetoric we see in every blasting thread about the need for a giant compressor to do any work. I've gone to great lengths on this forum (including a lot of testing, most of which I have posted videos of) to tell the other side of the story. Blasting is possible with less air, you just dont work as fast.

As for clogging nozzles, I had not considered that issue as I have never struggled with it with my suction gun, even with the smallest of nozzles, but I realize we're talking about smaller still, and there's a difference in the ability to "lean out" the mix with direct pressure blasting.

I've wanted to flirt with DP blasting, and getting my hands on a setup to test out the capability with less flow and a smaller orifice is just one more reason I should pull the trigger.

 

[Jswain]

Nope, nor would I, because I'm not restricted to that kind of air flow. I'm really not trying to pick a fight just for the sake of it. I understand the golden rule of blasting (more air, more better), I started down this path because we started to see the same kind of rhetoric we see in every blasting thread about the need for a giant compressor to do any work. I've gone to great lengths on this forum (including a lot of testing, most of which I have posted videos of) to tell the other side of the story. Blasting is possible with less air, you just dont work as fast.

As for clogging nozzles, I had not considered that issue as I have never struggled with it with my suction gun, even with the smallest of nozzles, but I realize we're talking about smaller still, and there's a difference in the ability to "lean out" the mix with direct pressure blasting.

I've wanted to flirt with DP blasting, and getting my hands on a setup to test out the capability with less flow and a smaller orifice is just one more reason I should pull the trigger.

I think sucking the media through an orifice vs pushing it at 90psi where if 1 piece slows down 100 pieces behind it being shoved into it at 90psi is a bit different.

You also don't have the ability to quickly put your gloved finger over the end of the nozzle and reverse blast the lodged media out like in a suction blast cabinet.

And just to be clear I've done plenty of blasting with an IR 3hp ~12cfm compressor. Including using both my pressure pot, and suction cabinet. But going from a 3/32" nozzle to a 1/8" nozzle was much more efficient, even if it consumed more air then I could provide due to not clogging the nozzle.

 

[restorick]

I've had the HF one for 20+ years. I haven't used it in a decade, but it has many hours of use on it. If I had to do it over, I'd get the HF again- for home type hobby use. Yes, you may want to add some better accessories, but you can do a lot of upgrades for a few hundred dollars in comparison to the price of the competition. The Eastwood might be worth the 2X premium, but I can't see spending more than that given what you're buying- a pressure tank, hose, gun, filter... There's really not much to it that makes it hard to justify spending $$$$ on one for hobby use - it's not the end of the world to change out a few components when you assemble it.

Edit- you probably know, but you really need 20+ CFM at 100 PSI for this purpose. I looked at the TX blaster page and they say 11 CFM, which is BS - IMO. This is about the minimum for a cabinet blaster with a suction gun.

Thanks Steve. I was looking at the Eastwood only because of the larger stock fittings. After speaking with folks at Ameriblaster, I'm leaning toward the convex blast pots. While my outdoor blasting needs will be infrequent, I'll be doing trailer frames and the like. After doing more research, I'd likely convert my Trinco cabinet from suction to pressure pot, so the unit will be used quite a bit in my cabinet as well.

I have 2 compressors at my disposal (Speedaire 7.5hp/80 gal, and Champion 7.5hp/80gal), plus a spare 80gal tank that I will be plumbing in to help with the volume needed. Both compressors crank out 22CFM.

 

[Steve_P]

Nope, nor would I, because I'm not restricted to that kind of air flow. I'm really not trying to pick a fight just for the sake of it. I understand the golden rule of blasting (more air, more better), I started down this path because we started to see the same kind of rhetoric we see in every blasting thread about the need for a giant compressor to do any work. I've gone to great lengths on this forum (including a lot of testing, most of which I have posted videos of) to tell the other side of the story. Blasting is possible with less air, you just dont work as fast.

As for clogging nozzles, I had not considered that issue as I have never struggled with it with my suction gun, even with the smallest of nozzles, but I realize we're talking about smaller still, and there's a difference in the ability to "lean out" the mix with direct pressure blasting.

I've wanted to flirt with DP blasting, and getting my hands on a setup to test out the capability with less flow and a smaller orifice is just one more reason I should pull the trigger.

I haven't seen anyone deny that you can pressure blast with a pancake compressor for 2 seconds, wait for a minute, and repeat. Where do you draw the line? I started with a 10-11 CFM "5" HP 15A 230V compressor. It would barely keep up with a siphon cabinet blaster with the smallest nozzle, like 3.5 mm. I thought, no biggie, I can use a pressure blaster with a 3.5mm nozzle, just a bit slower. Yeah, NO. You blast for a minute, wait for two minutes, the compressor never shuts off, puts out tons of water.... clogs the nozzle. It just doesn't work, unless you only want to do one part and don't mind to spend 4 hours on what would take 20 minutes with a "real" compressor. It's an exercise in futility and frustration. Yes, you could sandblast a battleship with a pancake compressor over the next thousand years. But would you want to? Does that make sense for your time? Even with my 11 CFM compressor, I realized that pressure blasting was an exercise in futility and waste of time, so I more than doubled the CFM with a new compressor. Success. It keeps up, no more clogging nozzles because of water output.

If you want to pressure blast a trailer, it's not the same as struggling thru with a 5 CFM compressor to cabinet blast one Tonka truck.

If you look at the Dynabrade website they list the CFM of their die grinders, belt sanders, etc at 20-25 CFM. Does anyone think that a pressure blaster with a 3.5mm nozzle will be significantly less than this? Yeah, there's some sand mixed in, but it's a majority of air.

There's a reason you see bridges being sandblasted by towed 4 cylinder diesel compressors. It takes a LOT of air.

 

[GeoBruin]

I haven't seen anyone deny that you can pressure blast with a pancake compressor for 2 seconds, wait for a minute, and repeat. Where do you draw the line? I started with a 10-11 CFM "5" HP 15A 230V compressor. It would barely keep up with a siphon cabinet blaster with the smallest nozzle, like 3.5 mm. I thought, no biggie, I can use a pressure blaster with a 3.5mm nozzle, just a bit slower. Yeah, NO. You blast for a minute, wait for two minutes, the compressor never shuts off, puts out tons of water.... clogs the nozzle. It just doesn't work, unless you only want to do one part and don't mind to spend 4 hours on what would take 20 minutes with a "real" compressor. It's an exercise in futility and frustration. Yes, you could sandblast a battleship with a pancake compressor over the next thousand years. But would you want to? Does that make sense for your time? Even with my 11 CFM compressor, I realized that pressure blasting was an exercise in futility and waste of time, so I more than doubled the CFM with a new compressor. Success. It keeps up, no more clogging nozzles because of water output.

If you want to pressure blast a trailer, it's not the same as struggling thru with a 5 CFM compressor to cabinet blast one Tonka truck.

If you look at the Dynabrade website they list the CFM of their die grinders, belt sanders, etc at 20-25 CFM. Does anyone think that a pressure blaster with a 3.5mm nozzle will be significantly less than this? Yeah, there's some sand mixed in, but it's a majority of air.

There's a reason you see bridges being sandblasted by towed 4 cylinder diesel compressors. It takes a LOT of air.

The OP has clarified that they have plenty of air. Thanks for your continued concern.

 

[Ing3018]

Question is directed to anyone who has a small pressure pot blaster (100lbs and less)........

I picked up one last year from a local FB ad. Bad Boy is the brand. I don't think the brand of the pressure vessel is all that critical, though I do think the ones made with the bottom surface fabricated at a steep angle are less frustrating. The steeply sloped bottom keeps the abrasive falling toward the outlet port.
I run mine with my 5 hp air compressor and a 1/8" tip. I screen the media (coal slag) through a mesh that is less than one-third the tip size and have not experienced any clogging issues. I usually run the pressure at 50 to 60 psi. Works great with this setup.

 

[NakeDiesel]

This is the one I have, bought it at Northern Tool about 20+ years ago. I've rebuilt the parts that sand goes through several times over the years and just installed my third nozzle on it. Also replaced the wheels on it twice I think over the years. I've blasted my 69 Camaro, my race trucks power wagon body, many farm parts, and lots of other things with it over the years.





I now have a large cyclone cabinet in my shop that I can do a lot of parts in now without having to drag this out and set it up outside. My cabinet is 48" x 26" and I can fit the 100lb wheel weights off my tractor inside it to blast them. I built a frame for it to sit on and roll around.

 

[cnc-me]

Question is directed to anyone who has a small pressure pot blaster (100lbs and less). I'm in the market for one to use outdoors on trailer frames, furniture and other items that won't fit in my Trinco cabinet. I'm not really interested in going cheap and having to do a bunch of mods. My research shows only a couple of units with 1/2" fittings throughout - Eastwood has one here: https://www.eastwood.com/ew-100lb-pressure-abrasive-blaster.html

Wondering if there are better options out there? I'd prefer to buy once, cry once.

Thanks in advance!
Rick

Owned a Brute 300H for 29 years. If you are doing anything very big, you want something with a larger tank or you
are going to be stopping to refill all the time. I think my 300H only goes around 20 to 30 minutes, of course it depends on
what size nozzle you are running, and a whole slew of other factors. I considered one of Brute's smaller units at time, but decided
to go with their biggest model, the 300 pound, 300H, I sure am glad I did. You better have a good compressor as well or it will get
to be a drudgery very fast.

Dang, just checked the prices on new Brute blasters the 300H is almost 2 grand.
I think mine was $499 back in 1995. That was a good deal even back then.

 

[Spareparts]

I have a 100lb pressure pot that I have had since 96 and have found if I run the black magic or just play ground sand from HD
thru a large 8" tea strainer the clogging problem seem to disappear. The strainer sits in the recessed top of the blaster.

 

[NakeDiesel]

I filter all my media thru a strainer too. Keeps clogs to a minimum.

 

[Dave88LX]

I haven't seen anyone deny that you can pressure blast with a pancake compressor for 2 seconds, wait for a minute, and repeat. Where do you draw the line? I started with a 10-11 CFM "5" HP 15A 230V compressor. It would barely keep up with a siphon cabinet blaster with the smallest nozzle, like 3.5 mm. I thought, no biggie, I can use a pressure blaster with a 3.5mm nozzle, just a bit slower. Yeah, NO. You blast for a minute, wait for two minutes, the compressor never shuts off, puts out tons of water.... clogs the nozzle. It just doesn't work, unless you only want to do one part and don't mind to spend 4 hours on what would take 20 minutes with a "real" compressor. It's an exercise in futility and frustration. Yes, you could sandblast a battleship with a pancake compressor over the next thousand years. But would you want to? Does that make sense for your time? Even with my 11 CFM compressor, I realized that pressure blasting was an exercise in futility and waste of time, so I more than doubled the CFM with a new compressor. Success. It keeps up, no more clogging nozzles because of water output.

If you want to pressure blast a trailer, it's not the same as struggling thru with a 5 CFM compressor to cabinet blast one Tonka truck.

If you look at the Dynabrade website they list the CFM of their die grinders, belt sanders, etc at 20-25 CFM. Does anyone think that a pressure blaster with a 3.5mm nozzle will be significantly less than this? Yeah, there's some sand mixed in, but it's a majority of air.

There's a reason you see bridges being sandblasted by towed 4 cylinder diesel compressors. It takes a LOT of air.

Dang, so even my Quincy QT54 isn't going to do a very well job media blasting?

 

[Steve_P]

Dang, so even my Quincy QT54 isn't going to do a very well job media blasting?

That'll be fine for cabinet blasting with a ~3.5 mm nozzle. It'll be marginal for pressure pot blasting but should keep up with a 3.5mm nozzle. You'll need a good water separation system either way since you're not in the desert.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

I have an ALC 150 lb pressure blaster and run it off an IR 7.5 HP 2 stage compressor with an 80 gallon tank. Compressor runs about 2/3 of the time if blasting steady. All the lower end units (mine included) that I've used are kinda finicky. It takes some time each use to get the material valve open enough but not too much to effectively blast. The deadman valves can get clogged easily. Have extra consumable parts on hand like the rubber air blocks. You can eat one of those up very quickly.

Being I'm doing mostly complete vehicle bodies when using mine I try not to go above 60 psi operating pressure to the pot. And I always blast at a 45 degree angle. Try to not use it on exterior body panels either. I'll hand strip those. Easy to ruin a body panel with even a small machine.