Easiblaster (Wigan), what size compressor?

[Barking Mat]

Just sent off the cheque to secure a sand blaster.

Picking it up in a fortnight.

Mid 90's Easiblast. Complete and in good working order, no longer required.

What size compressor do I need?

A big one? Obviously?

Is it a tow behind the van one you see workmen in the street using?

Thanks folks.

 

[Dcal]

Depends on the size of the nozzle and if you want 100% duty cycle.
The bigger the better.

 

[Barking Mat]

I've a standard 200 odd litre single phase compressor, I guess isn't man enough.

I've also got an industrial 3ph compressor head, but no receiver tank (yet).

Could I stick the 3ph compressor head directly onto it?

 

[Dcal]

Yes, as long as you have the motor to drive it.

As a guide a "good" 3hp compressor will just deliver enough air for a 2mm nozzle which is tiny.
3mm (close to 1/8 inch) needs almost 20 CFM and it gets out of hand very quiclkly after that.
Link (I hope) to a chart on air and grit requirements below.

https://petroleumservicecompany.com/blog/what-size-compressor-is-required-for-sandblasting/

 

[Barking Mat]

Thanks @Dcal , yep I've the compressor head and the motor to run it.

Failing that we've the lot at work.

 

[stormin]

Depends how.much.stuff you've got to blast and how quickly you want it done. Single phase compressor not worth bothering with. Large three phase maybe use with a small nozzle 3 to 4mm. If you want to be making progress it's a large screw or road compressor required ideally one rated 2 tool or more ie 90 CFM plus.

 

[Barking Mat]

This is what I've got... Took some finding...

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/compressor-hours.17690/#post-195732

No idea of what CFM it produces.

 

[brightspark]

next size up from 3.0mm is 6 mil that will need a minimum of 80cfm to hold it at 90 psi .anything less and your wasting your time . the business of waiting for the tank to refill is useless as it mucks the ratio of grit to air up and will be well inconsistent . you could put a 3mm jet on the end and run it with 2 no 14cfm comps linked and it would run nicely at that at full power

 

[duncans]

wouldn't a hydrovane be better for the sandblaster constant air pressure then your not constantly waiting for the compressor to fill up

 

[brightspark]

wouldn't a hydrovane be better for the sandblaster constant air pressure then your not constantly waiting for the compressor to fill up

makes no odds on what type of pump .I used to run a 90cfm v twin with a 20hp lister engine before I got the screw compressor. its the cfm they produce that governs it. if 2 small they run out of grunt

 

[Barking Mat]

Here's my compressor, anywhere near man enough, just found a 475 litre receiver reasonably priced.

Is this suitable? Or hire a road compressor?

 

[sako243]

Pah - go big or go home

Looks a similar sized pot to Dai's small one that was used a couple of weeks ago, the smaller one to the right - that was hooked up to the baby (265cfm) yellow compressor.

They hooked the bigger red pot to the bigger white(ish) compressor that put out a paltry 12m³/min (works out to about 420cfm).

Mind you they were running ~1" nozzles

 

[brightspark]

what size jet is already in it and what are you intending to blast that's the governing factor

 

[Barking Mat]

what size jet is already in it and what are you intending to blast that's the governing factor

Cars, vans, chassises.

You guys use air fed masks and all that?

Renovation stuff, nothing major.

 

[brightspark]

Cars, vans, chassises.

You guys use air fed masks and all that?

Renovation stuff, nothing major.

the minimum would be a 6mm jet with the 90 cfm comp and yes u need the air fed helmet

 

[Barking Mat]

the minimum would be a 6mm jet with the 90 cfm comp and yes u need the air fed helmet

Yep, that's what I'm looking to do, that kind of stuff. Thanks BS.