I am going to start restoring my 1938 1 1/2 ton ford truck. I am in the process of getting my tools together. I need to get a Sandblaster and Compressor any advice on type, model, size, and best prices to get one. I have had alot of different opinions but from nobody that has done the work Iam going to do.
Thanks Don

 

I have the same questions... but unfortunately have already been through the first round of compressor woes (bought a 2hp compressor). As near as I can tell, you need to look at the air tools you plan on using first. Each tool will have a rating CFM at some PSI (cubic feet per minute at the designated pressure). At least I haven't gone through the entire range of compressors as I've read about some guys (1hp to 2hp to 4hp to 6hp to ...).

For example, I've got a dual action sander that says it needs 4 CFM at 90 PSI. So, I'd have to have an air compressor that puts out 4 CFM at 90 PSI at a minimum to use this tool.

Compounding matters is loss of pressure in the line (unless you use a steel braided line I suppose). The general rule of thumb I've read is to expect a 30% loss in the line -- the longer the line, the greater the loss. To deal with this, the rule of thumb corollary (!) says to take the highest pressure/flow you'll need and add 50%. That would mean for my DA sander to use a compressor that puts out 6 CFM at 90 PSI.

So, select the air tools you plan on using and then find a compressor that will do the job.

For sand blasters, I've seen numbers along the lines of 8-9 CFM, with a lot of guys using 60-80 PSI. This means a pretty good size compressor! Using the above rules of thumb, I'd pretty much need something that puts out 12-14 CFM at 90 PSI. Which is about the max you can get out of a single stage compressor (CH VT7810 or there abouts).

As for the compressor, I'm getting a 240V line put in my garage for a 10CFM/7HP compressor (CH VT6195) which should do for everything except large scale sand blasting. My wife thinks I'm nuts ("you're buying WHAT???")...

HTH.

Bob

 

I just purchased a 27.2 SCFM at 90psi compressor. It is a 80 gal 7.5 hp 2 stage compressor and requires a 220v 50 amp circuit. That is a big one. Starting amps are 38 and run amps are 30. I use a Craftsman 100lb sandblaster at 90psi. I am happy with what it does BUT I have no experience to compare it with. I wish I knew if a pressurized blaster would be faster. I will say that it isn't real fast BUT it is tremendously faster than my old 5hp compressor that could never keep up. The 7.5 will run about 1 1/2 mins and rest for about 40 secs before kicking back on. That is with me blasting and holding the trigger down continuosly. I also have a glass beading cabinet that prior to the new compressor could only be used for about 10 mins before the 5 hp started to smell real hot since it would never shut off and would take 5 mins to recover after I stopped blasting. I might mention here that I have rebuilt the top end of my compressor several times after over working it. It was a 60 gal. In my opinion my new compressor is adequate but just barely. It has a 100% duty cycle and without that it probably would not last long sand blasting.

This is the biggest compressor that I could find that was reasonably priced. It was $1449 at Home Depot or Sears. I found a new one on E-bay and bought it for $860 + $170 shipping. So far it is the best inmvestment I've made and should last the rest of my life.

 

Well, there you go

I came to the conclusion that finding a local blasting shop was the best deal for me. There's a local guy here that will blast for approx. $30 a piece ($50 for a cab or frame). Money well spent IMO.

Bob

 

Be careful sandblasting your sheet metal! The heat generated can warp the piece, and is hard to detect until a shiny finish is applied. Found this out the hard way years ago.

A pressurized blaster works much better than the siphon type, in my experience.

 

An Eagle 220 volt 18.5 CFM upright compressor can be had for about $600. Contact me by email if you're interested.