Small Sand blasting job

[Chevron Guy]

Will a 4 gallon Craftsman pancake compressor run a Harbor Freight 20 Oz. Hopper Gravity Feed Spot Blaster Gun? The gun says it needs 7CFM, while my compressor only gives 1.7 CFM. Having never done this before, it would seem that the numbers don't support the gun. BUT, I'm in no hurry, it's a small paint removal job (old truck mounted trap thrower) and I don't want to sink alot of dough into this. I'm assuming that since I'm not pumping out enough air, I'll have to wait for the compressor to catch up? What is the down side, don't want to burn out the compressor either, so again, if it takes longer than a Big Boys compressor would, I can deal with that. Comments appreciated, thanks!

 

[countryroad82]

I think you would be better off with a grinder and a wire brush, or 36-80 sandpaper whatever you would feel more comfortable with. To answer your initial question, it would be possible I guess, but you would run that compressor to death I'm afraid. If you are committed to sandblasting though, why don't you see if a friend/ coworker might have a big enough compressor that you might be able to come over and use and clean up the mess (yes there will be a huge mess, no matter how well you try to contain it).

 

[JCQuick]

no it will not

 

[malibu101]

I understand what you want to do, and you have these tools available so you'd like to try it.
Don't waste your time. By the time the first couple of seconds that sand comes through the air will be gone. This rig will not yield succesful results of any type. Period.
Beg, borrow, or buy a larger compressor.

And yes the usual disclaimer of a respirator. Silicosis is a bad thing. Look it up.
And yes the area you do it in will has resemble a beach.

EDIT- Understand that without enough pressure (directly related to CFM delivery of the compressor) the sand will not be thrown at the metal fast/hard enough to really do any good.

 

[Chevron Guy]

Ok, I've no friends with bigger compressors so will just keep taking it to the local blaster and pony up the $25/$35 bones. Thanks for the comments!

 

[Zeke]

Short bursts in the hard-to-reach areas. But if you're going to buy the gun, don't. If you have one you will get very limited use even for your 15 bucks until you get some air.

The bulk of the work would have to be done with stripper or abrasives.

Now you can make some improvement over what you have if you have a portable air tank. You can assemble a pass through valve that will allow the tank to double as ballast for your little compressor. Just let it rest a lot. It's not made to run but about 50% of the time max.

I have 5 air compressors and 2 of them are little guys. On occasion I've spray painted with them using a detail gun. Short strokes and bursts.

You do what ya gotta do.

 

[dittle fart around]

Take it to sand blasting shop and pay them to do it. Got to be cheaper than buying a new compressor.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Ok, I've no friends with bigger compressors so will just keep taking it to the local blaster and pony up the $25/$35 bones. Thanks for the comments!

That is probably your best bet.

 

[ForceFed70]

If you had a 20-30gallon 5cfm compressor, I'd say go for it.

But with the compressor you have, I don't think it's even worth trying.

 

[Mmfh]

What about just watching Craigslist for a deal on one that will do the job? If a person is patient you can find some good deals that way.

If you buy it and find you don't use it enough to justify keeping it around, than sell it and get your money back. You are not out anything except the sand to do the work.

Remember one thing, when blasting something with air, its always better to get a bigger compressor than what you think you will need!

Mm

 

[84scrambler]

I'm not sure what an old truck mounted trap thrower is but if you have the patience you can do it. I did two small areas in my tub where my roll bar mounted to with a pancake compressor and a siphon gun. Probably about 2 square feet worth. I took my time and got it done in about half an hour. If you can get yourself another 5 gallon tank then it would be that much faster.