Sand Blast Air Compressor: Power Tool For Professionals

Sandblasting is a common use for an air compressor. It involves using compressed air to propel abrasive materials, such as sand, onto a surface to remove rust, paint, heat treatment scales, and oil and grease stains. To get the best performance from your sandblaster, selecting the right compressor is crucial. The size of the compressor depends on factors such as the nozzle size of the sandblaster, CFM (cubic feet per minute), and PSI (pounds per square inch). For optimal efficiency, a minimum PSI of 100 is recommended. Additionally, the type of sandblasting task, such as small-scale or industrial, will influence the choice of compressor.

CFM (cubic feet per minute)

CFM, or cubic feet per minute, is a crucial factor to consider when choosing an air compressor for sandblasting. It refers to the volume of air that the air compressor can generate or move in a minute. The higher the CFM rating, the better the compressor is for sandblasting.

For effective sandblasting, your compressor should be able to produce between 18 and 35 CFM. Industrial sandblasting demands even more, requiring compressors with 50 to 100 CFM. The CFM requirement also depends on the size of your blast nozzle. As the nozzle size increases, so does the necessary air volume and air reserve, which means you'll need a higher CFM.

For example, if you're using a No. 2 nozzle at 100 PSI, your air compressor should provide a CFM of 20. If you increase the pressure to 140 PSI, the CFM requirement increases to 28.

It's also important to note that the CFM may be measured differently depending on factors like humidity, local air pressure, temperature, and heat dissipation. The standard CFM (SCFM) is defined as air at specific conditions, usually around 14.696 psia and 520°R (60 °F). This standard measurement allows for a uniform comparison between different compressor manufacturers.

When choosing an air compressor for sandblasting, it's crucial to consider both the CFM and PSI (pounds per square inch) requirements to ensure your compressor can deliver the necessary volume and pressure of air for optimal sandblasting performance.

PSI (pounds per square inch)

PSI, or pounds per square inch, is the unit of measurement for the pressure generated by an air compressor. It is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting an air compressor for sandblasting, as it determines the compressor's ability to effectively remove targeted coatings.

For sandblasting applications, a compressor with a PSI rating of 90 to 100 is recommended. Maintaining a working PSI of around 50 to 90 is crucial to ensure sufficient pressure for material removal. If the PSI drops below 50, the sandblaster may not have enough power to effectively strip coatings, and you'll need to wait for the compressor to build up pressure again.

The required PSI for sandblasting depends on the size of the blast nozzle and the specific application. For example, a No. 2 nozzle at 100 PSI requires a CFM of 20, while the same nozzle at 140 PSI demands a CFM of 28. Increasing the PSI will also require a larger compressor.

When selecting a compressor, it's important to consider both the PSI and the CFM (cubic feet per minute) to ensure compatibility between the compressor and the sandblaster. A higher PSI generally correlates to a higher CFM requirement.

Additionally, the type of sandblaster and the size of the sandblasting project will influence the necessary PSI and CFM ratings. Industrial sandblasting, for instance, demands higher CFM and PSI ratings compared to smaller-scale projects.

Nozzle size

The size of your sandblasting nozzle will depend on the specifics of your project. The larger the nozzle, the more CFM (cubic feet per minute) you'll need from your air compressor. For example, a #2 nozzle at 100 PSI will require 20 CFM, while the same nozzle at 140 PSI will require 28 CFM. If you're working with a lower PSI, you can use a smaller nozzle, but this will increase the time needed to complete your project.

When choosing a nozzle size, it's important to consider the coarseness or fineness of the media being used, as well as the size of the job. For precision work, a smaller nozzle size is preferable, while for broad surface work, a larger nozzle size is more suitable. Additionally, the nozzle size should be at least three times the size of the grit used.

It's also worth noting that the orifice of the nozzle can get worn out over time, increasing the diameter and requiring a higher volume of air to perform effectively. Therefore, it's important to regularly check and replace the nozzle to ensure optimal performance.

Tank capacity

Sandblasting is a demanding process that requires a continuous supply of air. The higher the CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating of an air compressor, the better it is for sandblasting. The CFM refers to the volume of air that the system can move in a minute. For smaller sandblasting tasks, a compressor that can produce between 10 CFM and 20 CFM is ideal. For more powerful sandblasting, a compressor that can produce between 18 CFM and 35 CFM is required. Industrial sandblasting demands even more power, requiring compressors with a CFM of 50 to 100 or more.

The size of your sandblasting nozzle also plays a crucial role in determining the necessary tank capacity. As the size of the nozzle increases, so does the required air volume and air reserve. For example, a #2 1/8-inch nozzle requires a compressor with a CFM of 20, while a #6 3/8-inch nozzle demands a CFM of 196.

Additionally, it is important to maintain a working PSI (pounds per square inch) of around 50 to 90 during sandblasting. If the PSI drops below 50, there won't be enough pressure to effectively remove material, and you'll need to wait for the compressor to catch up. To achieve optimum efficiency, it is recommended to use a tank with a minimum PSI of 100.

When selecting an air compressor for sandblasting, it is crucial to consider both the CFM and PSI requirements to ensure that your compressor can deliver the necessary volume and pressure of air for your specific application.

Breathing air respirator

Sandblasting is a common use of an air compressor, but it is important to select the right compressor for the job. Sandblasters are used to clean difficult substances like rust or paint from solid surfaces like metal. To get the best performance from your sandblaster, you need to consider the CFM (cubic feet per minute) and PSI (pounds per square inch).

Now, this is where a breathing air respirator comes in. Sandblasting requires a continuous supply of air and, as such, the operator must be protected from the continuous output of air and particles.

There are two main types of respiratory protection: air-purifying respirators (APRs) and atmosphere-supplying respirators (ASRs). APRs use filters, cartridges, or canisters to remove gases, vapours, aerosols, or a combination of contaminants from the air. EHMRs (elastomeric half mask respirators) are reusable respirators that cover the nose and mouth.

ASRs provide clean breathing air from a separate source and protect workers from many types of airborne contaminants. An example of an ASR is a supplied-air respirator (SAR), which is connected to a separate source that supplies breathing air via a hose, located outside of the work area.

When selecting a respirator, it is important to identify all respiratory hazards in your environment and the amount of exposure. Each type of respirator has an assigned protection factor (APF), which indicates the level of protection you can expect.

Therefore, when operating a sandblasting air compressor, it is crucial to consider the appropriate breathing air respirator to ensure the operator's safety.

Frequently asked questions