air compressor recommendation

[KracknCorn]

I want to start refinishing my own guns and I need to get a media blasting set up going. Not sure what I need to get the job done, tank size, hp, etc... I have no knowledge on air compressors and media blasting. What can you guys recommend?

[gunboat]

First establish the blasting unit you are going to use - cabinet? portable? The equiptment you want will determine the capacity, of compressor and tank, you need. You may need extra drying capacity to keep the media from clogging. Both grainger and harbor freight are sources of both types of blasting units. my ha-penny

[KracknCorn]

I don't have the room to hold a blast cabinet and I don't mind wasting media. I just need to know how many gallons, horse power, etc... the air compressor needs to be to sufficiently blast out media. I mean, do I need a 60 gallon air compressor or would a 30 gallon be enough?

[69Mach1]

That is a great question. I too would like to know since I just bought this for $65!

[freonr22]

I have the $800 Harbor freight cabinet (the addional vaccum isnt to impressive, or its not sealed enough. I have an 80 gal ingersol rand 5hp 3ph t30 compressor, and you have to wait every 20-30 seconds to build pressure back up to 125, or much below 100 psi = no work done. I am using glass bead. maybe i need smaller nozzle?

[gunboat]

according to my old grainger book -- they sell portable units with a hopper capacity of 30 -60-90 pounds of media - requires a compressor that can provide 3cfm at 40 psi -- A tank smooths out the flow -- Most any of the small 3/4hp compressor units with a 5-10 gallon tank should do this. depot
Freon - if you are running out of air with that compressor you must be using a vacuum cleaner nozzle at 100 psi -- you are using a LOT of air -
Biggest problem with all blasters is clogging at media feed -- any moisture in the air buggers up the media -- Blasting in the shop was always a pain and always took longer than expected. Be careful blasting thin metal bits, it is quite easy to have a nice flat piece turn into a potato chip - :-)

[freonr22]

I am just saying never overestimate what a compressor can do. the bigger the better cfm/hp wise. if you think you need a 1/3 hp get the 3/4. think you need the 1-2hp? get the 5.

another thing the whatever next size up will run less and have drier air...

also consider % duty rating. that $300 5hp one from home depot or lowes, the compressor itself (less tank and motor) weighs about ummm 4 lbs. probably a 20% rated duty cycle. imho

one thing ill add about media. Glass i have learned get smaller kinda fast, different sand too. I have tried walnut, steel shot, glass, black oxide? in small doses each. personally so far I like the glass. also I have heard from many people to stick a 60-100 service drop lite in the media to keep the media from clumpin. also. air compressors creat WATER, you need a separator inline, and drain the tank periodicolly.




my .02

[bigbob76]

I don't have the room to hold a blast cabinet and I don't mind wasting media. I just need to know how many gallons, horse power, etc... the air compressor needs to be to sufficiently blast out media. I mean, do I need a 60 gallon air compressor or would a 30 gallon be enough?

I bought a Harbor Freight 5 peak horsepower with I think a 25 gallon tank, at approx. $150 and it's fine. I don't mind stopping and waiting for the compressor to catch up as that's all I was willing to spend. Even if you don't have a cabinet you can arrange your blasting to capture much of the medium. Trapping the moisture will keep you blasting without clogging constantly like gunboat said. Degreasing before blasting helps if you want to reuse the medium. It was pointed out to me that cheap compressors don't last long with hard use so if I went big I'd get better quality.

[jwest]

I got an air compressor from Sear's many years ago and have been very happy with it - I would imagine they have some pretty good deals going on right now.

[pd5190]

As big as you can afford or have room for.

You want your compressor to be oil lubed and with as high a CFM rating as you can afford. Oil lubed compressors are quieter than oil less. After any use they need to have the tank drained of condensation. A dryer needs to placed in line with your air supply to keep moisture to a minimum. If you are setting up airlines for different access points in your shop do not use PVC. These lines need to be copper or black steel with a filter at each attachment point. PVC turns brittle over time and have been known to explode under pressure. You will find other uses for the compressor over time. If you buy to small you will only be looking for a bigger one in short order.