Compressor wont run my blast cab?

So I finally got my compressor wired up in the new shop and tested my "new" blast cabinet (stand alone HF off craigslist, owner replaced gun with a "Jett" gun). Problem is, nothing really happened. I tested on a backing plate, and at first it took a little off, but went real slow and was very inefficient. It felt like it wasnt pulling enough media. I pulled apart the gun and feed tube to check for any blocks, and it was all clear. This leads me to beleive my compressor wont run the damn thing! I have a vert 60 gal Craftsman and looks to be rated at 9CFM at 90PSI, the cab says its takes 95-115? PSI at 12-16 CFM. is it time for a compressor update? Ive heard these Craftsman motors blow aint the best and its oiless and loud as hell. Any recommendations..hell am i just being stupid? Thanks

 

It takes a LOT of air to run a blast cabinet. It is nothing more than a siphon sandblaster housed in a cabinet. It takes more air to run the blast cabinet than it does to run a pressure sandblaster! So, yes I would say you need to upgrade your compressor if you want to run that blast cabinet. I've run my hobby shop with small Craftsman compressors for years and they will run spray guns, small power tools, etc for short times with no problem. They should also run the blast cabinet for a very short time with no problem, but as you posted, they are very inefficient. If you are going to use it on a regular basis, upgrade if you want to get any serious work done.

 

If it started out good at first, then quickly "ran out of steam", the compressor just isn't keeping up. I'd think a 60 gallon tank would have enough volume to run your blaster for a minute anyway, even without the motor running. Sure you don't have blockage?...or maybe moisture? You have to run a dryer to keep the moisture out of the line. Moisture makes the sand clog bad, and it won't flow. Maybe the your compressor's pump isn't working as it should.

 

Yep not enough compressor. Spend the best part of a G and get a 60 gal that makes 15 CFM at 90. Motor on that will need 23 amps on 220 volt.

 

My cabinet with a 1/4 " nozzle works good with a 22 cfm compressor running about 80% of the time. You just can't have to much air. With the 5/16" it runs all the time and I do have to stop and let it catch up.

 

Upgrade the compressor. Takes alot to keep those things going.

 

I too have one of the craftsman compressors oilless so noisry you cant think, it's a piece of **** wont hardly keep up with anything hooked up to it. So I will be getting some thing with a lot more power and volume. Just watch out you don't get a 3 Phase one costs forever to wirre it up.

Donn

 

Like others have said,,not enough air. HRP

 

Make sure the siphon hose is clear and not pinched/kinked. Also, make sure you have enough abrasives loaded that they flow to the bottom in copious amounts. Oh, and make sure the siphon hose stays submerged in the abrasive pile.

 

Air line size can affect the delivery too. I have seen folks trying to use 1/4" air line for things that need high volume, no good. I run 1/2" lines from the compressor to the cabinet, it had trouble with even 3/8" lines.

 

My dad bought the Homedepot biggest aircompressor for 1500 and it works his cabinet great .Only problem is continuous blasting trips the 30 amp breaker ,I dont know how to do this but it can be done ,Hooking up two compressors to boost cfm ,It might save you a big expense ,Hopefully some one will chime in and tell how to do this .

 

well your compressor pump pumps 9 cfm when the tank is at 90 psi. So you wont be able to run your cabinet while the compressor is on. What you may need is a bigger line. If your running a 3/8 line. I know when i used a smaller compressor my die grinder would be real power full when i first pushed the ****on but since the line doesnt flow enough cfms it ran out of its air and lost its torque. make sense? But with aircompressors bigger is better. Go to home depot and buy the biggest one they have then ask for ray to load it, maybe he'll drop it on the roof of your truck and theyll pay you 1200 dollors to take that thing outa there.

 

To run two air compressors just run a line inbetween the tanks right? a big line.
Carcrazyjohn howd he get away with a 30 amp breaker? mine needs a 50

 

Don't forget to filter the h20 out too.

 

I just plug a 3 way into my tank and run an air line in and one out from my compressor. You need more pump , Keep that tank though and use it for volume.

 

I have found that to develop enough CFM for continuos blasting you will need a 220 volt single phase 2stage compressor.
They will run about $1000-1600 for a decent castiron one. Keep your eye on Craig's list for a good used one!
Go to the TP website for more insight on blasting.
Good Luck!

 

first, you can't run two compressors by just hooking the tanks together because only one will start, the one with the highest start PSI will start and the other one never will, you have to run them both off the same pressure switch and a motor starter for each compressor, i have seen it done but i don't think it would be cost effective for an average guy,
second, toss that siphon blaster out and buy an small pressure pot, you can just run the hose through the side of your cabinet, regardless of what you have for a compressor it will be like a night and day differance.

 

I used my HF blast cabinet with the very same Craftsman compressor you have. It worked just fine. I replaced it with a BelAir because of the noise from the oiless craftsman, but it did the job fine. Check everything else before tossing the compressor.

 

I can't disagree with the pressure pot blaster, but YOU CAN connect two compressors together via an air line only, each one will kick in when the pressure drops below the individual start points, and if you run the blast cabinet it will.

However, having two of those POS noisy *******s in one shop/garage? I would loose my mind....

A couple years ago I bought a nice big Eaton compressor for not a lot of money, one of the best buys I ever made.

 

I have a 5hp 2 stage pump with an 80 gal tank.........runs my cab great.....

I would recomend to reduce the orfice sice of thge gun in the cab then you will also need to reduce media size

 

You can get two units,however most houses dont have enough power to efectively run two.To do it correctly you also have pressure switches with and adjustible differential range(this controls cut in and cut out)you would set them up so one pump chases the other so to speak......easiest way is to get one unit that can make at least 18-24 cfm at 90 psi.my siphon cabinet runs ok with the unit I have and claims 18 cfm.I also found the smaller tip and regulating the cabinet to 100 psi works the best for everything I do.More pressure and a bigger tank WILL NOT HELP YOU as some would say.Its all about the pump.

 

I have a Husky Pro that I got from Home Depot last summer. It is 60 gal, 3.2 hp and 220. Runs my blast cabinet just fine. I have found that if you use the small nozzle, it works much better.

 

Holy ****! That was a lot of responses, so first off thanks! I'll try an address as much as I can. As far as blockage, Im 100% positive it the siphon feed was clear, I took the whole unit apart and checked. Concerning moisture, I don't think this was a problem, although Ill be the first to admit, the compressor probably isn't sufficiently set-up. It worked for a little bit right off the bat. However, it was for a short time and the siphon hose "pulsated" with media, like it wasn't continuously feeding. Then at a certain point it just stopped feeding media. I really think i'm probably just under powered at this point. I took a look on CL earlier but didn't find much, and my budget for a better comp is fairly minimal, maybe 600 max. I'd like to get something that will last me a good time for multiple jobs, air tools, blast, and probably paint at some point. Im ***uming I should look for something 80 gal, 5hp, possibly 2 stage, and rated at 15 CFMs? is it reasonable to think I could get something like this for 600? Thanks again!

 

You need the CFM's AND the tank. I've got a 30 HP Kaeser and a 1060 gallon tank. You can get tanks at salvage or surplus yards fairly cheap, just make sure they aren't rusted badly, and that will help some. But you will need more HP/CFM's too.

 

1060 gallons? We have one at work that could be that size, I just never really looked for a label on it. It sits about 15 feet tall with a diameter of about 4 feet. It's a reserve tank. Anyhow, with a 30hp motor, is that 3 phase?

 

Can you get a smaller nozzle for the blast gun to reduce airflow requirement a bit?

 

440roadrunner, I saw those pix on a previous thread while I was searchin. That kinda ****, scares the living **** out of me.

As for a 1060 gal tank..I'm thinking a little overkill for a small shop, and probably at some point moving into an even tighter home garage.

Ive found some 80 gal tanks alone for sale for 150. How hard is it to build somethin? Is this even a cost effective option? Or am I better off hunitin CL for a perfect deal?

 

I run a Black Max 2 stage 220 vertical compressor that I got from one of those big box stores like Cosco or Sams club to run my Tip blaster. I used to go in there and lust after it. I paid about 850 but that was a few years ago. I can run it down if I'm doing a very large item but it still blasts just not as effectively as it is on max pressure. It's a nice unit for a hobbyist that is not running a pro body shop.

I used a Sears 220 harry home owner tire inflater for many years. The difference is night and day. It's a tool and not a toy. I'm sorry I didn't step up sooner.

Another case of wasting money on a tool that was supposed to be close enough but it really wasn't.

 

It's the black max 80gal 6.5hp 2 stage that I have. I bought it used for $300 back in 2006. So far it's done everything I've asked it to do. This is the year (hopefully) that I get a soda/sand blaster and will see how it handles. Wish I could tell ya the results already. My advice is to not buy something too small, and just keep saving until you can get the one you really want.

 

What kind of CFMs should I be looking for in general, for a long term compressor?