Time to upgrade the air compressor... Questions?

[Rambozo]

A nice thing about rotary screw compressors is that there are no pulses in the output, it's continuous flow. Some of the big ones even run tankless with variable frequency drives on the motor, so they only spin as fast as required to meet the demand. Very quiet and cool and super long life.
Even that one you linked to, the 80 gallon tank is just for small makeup air storage, that pump can fill it in about 20 seconds!

For large sandblasting and jack hammers and stuff, I rented a compressor once that used a Ford V8 engine converted so 4 cylinders ran on gas for power and the other 4 had a flat head and were used for the compressor pump. Nice compact package.

[KSmith]

BTW you did say sand blasting... These are cheaper Harbor Freight jobs...

This is a cabinet style...
http://www.harborfreight.com/40-lb-c...net-93608.html
Requires a 5 HP compressor with minimum 12 CFM at 40-80 PSI

And here is a portable...
http://www.harborfreight.com/40-lb-p...ter-68992.html
Air consumption: 6-25 CFM

I use one like this...
http://www.harborfreight.com/portabl...kit-37025.html
Minimum air requirement: 3.5 CFM @ 50 PSI

Mine uses a lot of air... I run mine at a full pressure... It works great, until the pressure drops (few minutes) and then efficiency drops and use more air. Just giving you an idea of what air a sand blaster uses... Probably the highest air using tool. Btw at the moment I have a medium compressor.

I purchased this one from harbor freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/abrasiv...net-42202.html I can't recommend. I used their bead media, filled the hopper, and the cabinet leaked media from all four lower corners. Just dribbled out on my floor right from the start. There was some white caulk inside, but it wasn't doing the job.

ken

[geezer]

I purchased this one from harbor freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/abrasiv...net-42202.html I can't recommend. I used their bead media, filled the hopper, and the cabinet leaked media from all four lower corners. Just dribbled out on my floor right from the start. There was some white caulk inside, but it wasn't doing the job.

ken

I cannot see a little leakage as a reason not to buy it,,,,kinda expect that for the price,,,big question is,,,how did it work for you when you got it up and running,,,did you feel it needed lights,,,was it big enough for your jobs and if you had to buy another one would you go for the larger stand alone cabinet model...

[KSmith]

I cannot see a little leakage as a reason not to buy it,,,,kinda expect that for the price,,,big question is,,,how did it work for you when you got it up and running,,,did you feel it needed lights,,,was it big enough for your jobs and if you had to buy another one would you go for the larger stand alone cabinet model...

I did not even use it in that condition. It wasn't a little leakage. I could see a thin stream of media material fall from a corner each time I tapped the side of the box. In all four corners. And the fine stuff soon was in a circle about 6 foot radius around the cabinet, grinding under my shoes. I don't want fine bead blast material all over the floor, in the air, in my lungs.

ken

[CGCINC]

I did not even use it in that condition. It wasn't a little leakage. I could see a thin stream of media material fall from a corner each time I tapped the side of the box. In all four corners. And the fine stuff soon was in a circle about 6 foot radius around the cabinet, grinding under my shoes. I don't want fine bead blast material all over the floor, in the air, in my lungs.

ken

Surely it's a fixable problem?!

[zoama]

We have welders and cutting tools... a bead blasting cabinet is an easy project.

[Rodsmachineshop]

build one very easy and do a top load cabinet side load blasting cabinets are very waist full since ever time you open the side door blasting medai falls out and gets all over the floor i had a side load one tossed it in the trash and bought a top load also get a glass piece made for window with a plastic shieldon inside to protect glass from media the plastic windows last about a month or so till cant see through from scratch's

[KSmith]

Surely it's a fixable problem?!

I'm sure it was fixable, but I chose to return it for a refund. One glove was torn also. I don't want to dissuade you from buying one, but wanted to share my experience with the box. Making one would be a good project for the future, where the features and quality can be built in.

ken