Air compressors?

[LVLAaron]

Window shopping for a 60 or 80 gallon compressor. I don't run any air tools but do want to be able to run a sand blast cabinet and paint/cerakote.

Are any of the big-box-store-brands (campbell, ingersol, dewalt, etc) better than the other? Looking at the parts lists for all of them it looks like they're probably all the same, like lawnmowers and air conditioners, just different paint and stickers.

 

[Sniper338]

You need to find the cabinet you want first and see what kind of flow it takes to run continously. Then see which compressors are big enough to keep up. Otherwise you will sandblast for 30mseconds then have to wait for air to fill.

When you get going, you will want to be able to just keep blasting..

You want the biggest you can afford... and a air/water separator in the line so condensation doesnt blow water out the nossle into your work piece and blasting media.

Make sure it has a water drain at the bottom of the compressor too.

Anything big enough will likely be 220vt.

I have the big dewalt one.. it works with my cabinet.. the ingersol from tractor supply thats alittle bigger would be nicer to have, but I didn't exactly need it...


All depends on specs your cabinet needs. Bigger the better..

 

[tobnpr]

As an alternative...
I already had several air compressors before I set up my shop, I just ganged two of them together to get the required CFM for the blast cabinets.

If i had the ability to do so, I'd move the blast cabinets outside under some sort of cover. Abrasive grit/dust and precision machine tools don't play well together, and the collectors/filters don't work well enough in my experience to eliminate it.

 

[Jpete]

Quite a few house brands are made by the same manufacturer and as they age, parts can be hard to get. Ingersoll Rand would probably be the better choice just because of product support. I would suggest a two stage compressor because they are more efficient and have less heat build up. Probably 20 CFM at 90 psi would be a close starting point for a normal shop size blast cabinet.

 

[Walt Krafft]

I think I got the last one at Lowes, previous one at the local hardware store. Motors generally are the first thing to crap out. when mine did, I replaced it with a 1725rpm motor I had sitting around. Runs a little longer when it does, but is much quieter. I have had no problems running a grizzly blast cabinet. 90 psi is all that is needed. Higher pressure just tears air tools up. My compressor is on 24-7-365. There is an air hose on the outside of the shop and the neighbors stop and fill up tires and portable airtanks. I ran an air line to the house. Very handy in the gun room and when doing any remodeling. I used copper pipe to plumb my air lines. It was a lot cheaper 30 years ago than it is now. DO NOT USE PVC! Don't skimp on the size of the pipes. One inch is a good size for the main line, branch down to 3/4 or 1/2. Pitch your main lines and add drain legs. A dryer is nice, required if you are painting.

 

[wywindsor]

Ingersoll is my vote. We use the box store bought ones at our refinery for all the places we don't have plant air. They work flawless with minimal maintenance. My next vote is Craftsman. But in 2017 they were bought out by black and decker and may not longer be made in the USA. My old Craftsman stood a test of time and abuse.

 

[Edd]

Window shopping for a 60 or 80 gallon compressor. I don't run any air tools but do want to be able to run a sand blast cabinet and paint/cerakote.

Are any of the big-box-store-brands (campbell, ingersol, dewalt, etc) better than the other? Looking at the parts lists for all of them it looks like they're probably all the same, like lawnmowers and air conditioners, just different paint and stickers.

You seem to like quality stuff, look at Saylor-Beall.

 

[ELR LVR]

Window shopping for a 60 or 80 gallon compressor. I don't run any air tools but do want to be able to run a sand blast cabinet and paint/cerakote.

Are any of the big-box-store-brands (campbell, ingersol, dewalt, etc) better than the other? Looking at the parts lists for all of them it looks like they're probably all the same, like lawnmowers and air conditioners, just different paint and stickers.

I dont know the similarities between them all because I never had a need to check that
Ingersoll is a pretty solid unit though
I've had this one for over 15 years and use it nearly everyday
Only thing I've ever had to change was the motor once
When I did I got a 5 hp and geared it down a little with the pulley to make it easier on the motor
I think there is a lot of load on it once you get to 125 PSI, so gearing lower made sense to me
Havent had to change a motor in 10 yrs since that. Doesn't squeal, bearings sound fine etc
And change the Oil occasionally with 30 wt non-detergent
---
it runs a bead blast cabinet fine

 

[jds holler]

The rating you want ago look for and learn about is CFM. And 9CFM is a healthy place to start for blasting and such. Also pay attention to noise if it's gonna be mounted in an area where noise may be a concern. jd

 

[Sniperhandle]

I haven't seen anybody point out 2 stage compressors, That is what you want, Mine is 80 gallon storage tank 2 stage, This is the one I have and it will build air very quickly, It will actually shut off for a little bit while I'm blasting using a Dayton brand bead blasting cabinet. I am very happy with it.

I don't have to worry about noise because I built an air compressor room behind my shop and sound proofed it using insulation. Make sure to get an air drier oil separator system and also be sure to run a circuit suitable for the compressor you end up buying.

Edit to add:

The best air piping system you can use is Dot approved plastic truck air line, Run drops down the wall from the ceiling, And once the cheap air lines that come on air reels wear out and start to leak, Replace them with 3/8 dot rubber air line which will also last a lifetime. It will last a lifetime and is super heavy duty.

DeWALT® 80 Gallon 5 HP Two Stage Stationary Air Compressor

DeWALT® 80 Gallon 5 HP Two Stage Stationary Air Compressor. Usually ships in3 days. Buy it and Save at Globalindustrial.com

www.globalindustrial.com

 

[urbanrifleman]

Facebook marketplace is your friend. Get a Made in USA. I bought a very low miles Campbell Hausfield 7 HP 80 gallon for $300. I also bought a like new Sanbourn Black Max 5 HP 30 gallon for $100.

 

[WSnyder]

Years ago I traded out some work for Campbell Hausfeld (just like the generic brands you’re finding today). 7.5HP, 80gal, 17cfm @ 90psi. I run two blast cabinets (not at the same time). Both are Trinco, one is a large 60” two station and the other is a 24” I use for small parts. This compressor does well with either.

One tip for your blast cabinet. Don’t run full bags of media in them. At most I use mby a gallon sized bucket (probably less) of media even in the big unit. It keeps the media flowing much better at the pickup and makes it much easier to swap out media when it’s shot or you want to change to a different media. Trying to use too much media causes it to pack in, cake up. Using as little as possible keeps it flowing well.

Like others my blast cabinets are outside under a walkway next to my shop. My buddy built out a separate blast/storage room with a fan blowing outward to the outside of the building when he’s blasting.

 

[Multiracer]

Saylor Beal

 

[Aaron23]

If it says anything about being ‘oil less or oil free’ avoid like the plague.

Also do not skimp on the wiring. Voltage drop is a real thing and can kill an otherwise good motor in short order. You can’t go wrong erring on the bigger side with your wiring.

I run a pair of 35gallon, 155psi, porter cables at the house. Daisy chained together with one on its own 120v circuit and the other on a 220v circuit. Adjusted the cut in/cut out pressure on the one so it only comes on if I am using a lot of air at once.

Porter cable is very good as far as replacement parts availability is concerned.

 

[DaveTooley]

I run a 5hp two stage. Regulated to 85 lbs. I use pvc, just use the primer before the cement. Hook up a shop vac and dust is not a problem.

 

[V35]

Champion Advantage series are great for home/small shops. They come in several HP ratings and can be simplex or duplex. They also build the compressor for a few other brands. I always steer clear of the 3400 RPM units, I have never seen one live long. Also watch how they increase CFM, most will just up the HP, put a bigger sheave on the drive, and spin the compressor faster rather than putting a larger displacement compressor on it. E Maxx makes a great unit as well, and it is pressure lubricated.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Window shopping for a 60 or 80 gallon compressor. I don't run any air tools but do want to be able to run a sand blast cabinet and paint/cerakote.

Are any of the big-box-store-brands (campbell, ingersol, dewalt, etc) better than the other? Looking at the parts lists for all of them it looks like they're probably all the same, like lawnmowers and air conditioners, just different paint and stickers.

https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/888540620828010/?ref=search

This is the one I bought. I searched Facebook for Louisville. There is a dozen in your area for sale.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Black Max Sanborn made in Minnesota. Part of the old Coleman corp.

https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2147615735997773/?ref=search

 

[LVLAaron]

A premium 3-4k compressor isn't in the budget for what I need it for, but I am happy to know quality products still exist.

I'll poke around at something used, but I'm kinda skeeved out by unknown pressure vessels.

The models I'm looking at are approx 11.5 scfm @ 90psi - Good enough for sand blasting some actions and small parts?

 

[ELR LVR]

A premium 3-4k compressor isn't in the budget for what I need it for, but I am happy to know quality products still exist.

I'll poke around at something used, but I'm kinda skeeved out by unknown pressure vessels.

The models I'm looking at are approx 11.5 scfm @ 90psi - Good enough for sand blasting some actions and small parts?

This is one of those things where you want more than you think you need
I would def check Craigs List for a used larger unit than you need
I see my model goes for about $1500 used when they are $3500 new.
My IR T-30 is rated at 35 CFM, but I did gear it down so maybe its around 20 CFM now
and when I bead blast, after initial high pressure drops the compressor keeps running the whole time
but does keep up with the bead blaster, but just barely
---
Bead blasting things like a Barrel, take more time than one would think
maybe 15 mins, because you have to go slow, cover every surface evenly,
and often the hose clogs up if you get ANY moisture in the line such as not draining the tank before hand
or if paint chips collect together. telling you its time to screen your media.
Then when you take the part out and clean the debris off...
...there is sometimes a spot you missed because visibility is very poor inside there with a dusty environment going on. then you have to put the part back in the cabinet to hit that one spot lol.
---
One thing I may mention is with glass beads anyway, you don't want to run too high of pressure
40-80 PSI is recommended
too high of pressure will shatter the beads and then you have beads cracked in half with sharp corners which make for an uneven surface finish and also can embed into the part.
I regulate mine at 70 PSI, and the compressor is always running if I blast for more than a couple minutes.