The size of your sandblaster and nozzle will determine the necessary size for your compressor. To properly size the compressor for your sandblasting project, it’s important to understand exactly how a sandblaster works. 2 1/8-inch nozzle: 20 CFM. #3 3/16-inch nozzle: 45 CFM. #4 1/4-inch nozzle: 81 CFM. #5 5/16-inch nozzle: 137 CFM. #6 3/8-inch nozzle: 196 CFM. #7 7/16-inch nozzle: 254 CFM. #8 1/2-inch nozzle: 338 CFM. Remember to increase the size of the compressor for projects with a higher PSI. When in doubt, look to the manufacturer’s guidelines for your tools.
Here are the best air compressor for sandblasting that I found best for small and medium-size industries including automotive work. Review Verdict: The 10HP 120-gallon DXCMH9919910 from Dewalt offers a fine balance between output air volume, size and price and is our top pick for the air compressor for sandblasting. While those are good for some jobs such as nailing, for sandblasting you want an air compressor that has a minimum of around 10 CFM. Ideally, you would find one that goes up to 20 CFM. Because sandblasting is such a high-intensity job, having an air compressor with a high CFM is crucial.
The CFM ratings of air compressors tend to be based on the output of the air compressor pump. If you required to use the sandblaster on a 50% duty cycle, the sandblasting gun would require 3 CFM. The air compressor running at it’s recommended 50% duty cycle would not be able to provide the amount of CFM required by the sandblasting gun. Therefore an 14 CFM compressor with a 50% Duty Cycle can be used to run an air sandblaster that’s rated at 14 CFM – if used intermittently with a sufficiently large air tank.
An air compressor is needed to do any sandblasting, so knowing the right size air compressor to use is very important. If you have get a 100% duty cycle compressor most medium-duty sandblasting jobs can be done with a 5 gallon tank.2.CFM. CFM is air volume or total airflow that a given air compressor is capable of. If you are doing a little more work and need some more power, then you should use a compressor that can do 25 to 35 CFM. Taking it a few steps further, you would need a 50 to 100 CFM air compressor to do industrial-scale sandblasting work.3.PSI. This is the amount of force or air pressure that can be generated by a given air compressor.
Your air compressor will also be one of the highest cost items as they can easily cost between $8,000 and up depending on the style of compressor. What you need to know to Choose an Air Compressor for Sandblasting. To choose an air compressor for your sandblast process the key is to know the size sandblast nozzle you will use for sandblasting.
The size of the air compressor needed is based on the size of your blast nozzle. We recommend searching eBay for used air compressors or purchasing new from an OEM air compressor manufacturer. For Titan 300 lb and 600 lb blast machines, we typically recommend a 185 CFM, diesel-driven air compressor.
If the compressor doesn’t pump enough volume you will run out of air quickly, you can’t use the air inside a tank that’s below 100 psi if you want to blast at 100 psi. The air compressor is one of the biggest factors determining cleaning speed on a blast cabinet. Pro Tip: One air compressor is not right for everyone but you can buy a good 16 cfm air compressor for $600 or one that is less desirable for $1000 depending on how much homework you do ahead of time.
what size air compressor needed for sandblasting Related Question:
What size compressor do I need to run a sandblaster?
Compressor Size and Efficiency You should use a tank with a minimum of 100 PSI for optimum efficiency with any abrasive sandblasting project. If you work with a lower PSI, you’ll add a significant amount of time to your project.
What size air compressor do I need for media blasting?
Usually, a 50 – 60 hp compressor will do the job, depending on the number of operators and the size nozzle(s) being used. Clean, dry air is a MUST for blasting.
How many CFM does a sandblaster need?
At the minimum 50 PSI, a 7/16” orifice nozzle will require 147 CFMs. As you increase the pressure going into the pot, the amount of CFMs needed at the nozzle will increase as well. The same TMP-7 Nozzle blasting at the optimal 90 PSI will require 240 CFMs to keep up with the amount of air being put out at the nozzle.
What type of air compressor do I need?
The best formula for calculating the right sized home air compressor is to add up the CFM requirement for all the tools you intend to use as well as identify the peak PSI each one needs. This gives you the upper limit of what tank size in gallons, capacity in CFM and pressure in PSI you require.
How much pressure do you need for sandblasting?
What Sandblasting Air Pressure Is Required? The blast pot requires a minimum of 50 PSI. This measure will allow the pop-up valve to seal and the internal pot to pressurize. While operating, the pressure of the pot will typically in the60-80 PSI range to ensure the most efficient amount of blasting.
What sand do you use for sandblasting?
Silica sand for sandblasting. The most commonly used type of sandblasting sand is silica sand. Silica sand is used primarily because it is not only of good quality and durability, but is also usually inexpensive and easily found.
How do you calculate sandblasting jobs?
The average sandblasting company will charge $40 to $65 dollars per hour of labor. Specialty services will cost over $75 per hour. These types of services include extra preparation, special abrasion materials, and job design. Materials cost for sandblasting costs about $50 per 50 pound bag.
Is higher CFM better air compressor?
A compressor with a higher CFM rating can deliver more air and is better suited for heavier applications, such as operating air wrenches and framing nail guns.
What size compressor Do I need to spray paint?
While some air spray guns have a rating of lower than 10 CFM, we’d recommend your compressor CFM for spray painting is at least 12 CFM.
What size blast nozzle is normally used?
For vapor abrasive blasting, the most commonly-used nozzle orifice sizes range from 3/8″ inner diameter to 3/4″, increasing by increments of 1/16″. A 3/8″ nozzle is sufficiently constricted to produce a effective blast pressure with a 185 CFM compressor.
Why is sandblasting banned?
Prohibition of Silica in Abrasive Blasting Because of the high risk for silicosis in sandblasters and the difficulty in controlling exposures, the use of crystalline silica for blast cleaning operations was prohibited in Great Britain in 1950 [Factories Act 1949] and in other European countries in 1966 [ILO 1972].
Can you reuse sand after sandblasting?
Sandblasting is a way to clean dirt, corrosion, paint and other coatings from a variety of surfaces including cars, boats, planes and other vehicles. Sand cannot be reused after sandblasting for this reason, but it can be recycled into other materials such as cement or concrete if you do insist on reworking it.
Is a 6 gallon air compressor good for air tools?
Tools that require only quick bursts of air, like pneumatic brad nail guns and finish nail guns, drain the air tank much more slowly. For these tasks, 2- to 6-gallon tanks are sufficient.
What is a good size air compressor for home use?
For best results, use a compressor with a capacity of 5-6 CFM. Because you’ll be spraying nearly constantly, a larger, 10-gallon tank will keep you from waiting for the compressor to refill every few minutes.
Does tank size matter air compressor?
Tank size matters—sometimes The compressors we chose have tanks ranging from 1 to 6 gallons. A larger tank holds more air and will allow you to use more air before the pressure drops and the motor kicks on to refill the tank. That might let you avoid stopping work while the compressor refills the tank.
