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Help with Air Compressor Specification
Ron Lang - 8/9/17 at 03:10 PM

I am looking at buying an air compressor and am struggling to determine how much I need to spend. I'd like to be able to use it for sandblasting which i assume is the most 'hungry' application. I would be looking to buy something like this Clarke pressurised sandblaster - assuming this reduces the air you need?

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cpsb100pressurised-sandblaster/

Other uses would include air-rivet gun, angle grinding and perhaps painting sandblasted parts - once I learn how!

All advice appreciated.


Ron Lang - 8/9/17 at 03:14 PM

Just as a starting point, I've been looking at 50L compressors as the jump in price to 100L (the highest Machine Mart sell for example) is huge.

It's a case of balancing up the cost of getting a whole load of parts blasted by someone versus the cost of investing in my own kit. I daresay I'd get a lot of use out of it over the years. (For example, I wanted to remove the pistons from my calipers the other day and found out this is an easy way to do it)


Ron Lang - 8/9/17 at 03:18 PM

Had a response from MM on the same question and they seem to think the smallest I'd get away with is this!

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-xe29270---industrial-air-compressor-230/

Rather far away from my budget that!


Charlie_Zetec - 8/9/17 at 03:35 PM

Pah, are you surprised they suggested a top end machine?!? We run a small sandblasting cabinet on a 100L tanked compressor with a single 3Hp motor on top (again, a Clarke from MM) - and never had any issues. It also runs impact guns, air riveters and the like absolutely fine, and the only nut it's ever failed to have enough grunt to shift is a Land Rover Defender hub nut (which is stupidly high torque setting). I run a second, slightly smaller compressor; 50L tank but only a 2Hp motor in my garage for the kit car and bike bits, and again, very happy with it.

[Edited on 8/9/17 by Charlie_Zetec]


tims31 - 8/9/17 at 04:15 PM

I have one of these http://gtair.co.uk/air-compressors/30-buri sch-bt-350v-50-litre-10-bar-direct-drive-air-compressor.html Burisch 50Ltr and its been great. I managed to damage one of the air outlet points and they sent out a replacement no charge, other than that never had a problem with it. probably the same build quality of the Clarke stuff but cheaper and was delivered free when I bought it 6 years ago.


Ron Lang - 8/9/17 at 05:21 PM

That looks amazing value.

Have you used it for blasting?

quote:
Originally posted by tims31
I have one of these http://gtair.co.uk/air-compressors/30-buri sch-bt-350v-50-litre-10-bar-direct-drive-air-compressor.html Burisch 50Ltr and its been great. I managed to damage one of the air outlet points and they sent out a replacement no charge, other than that never had a problem with it. probably the same build quality of the Clarke stuff but cheaper and was delivered free when I bought it 6 years ago.


gremlin1234 - 8/9/17 at 06:56 PM

compressors can be very noisy, and some 'screech'/'scream' so either get a quieter one, or position it outside the work area.

[Edited on 8/9/17 by gremlin1234]


ste - 8/9/17 at 09:19 PM

it's more about the CFM than the tank capacity as the higher the CFM, the more air it can shift.


tims31 - 9/9/17 at 07:16 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Ron Lang
That looks amazing value.

Have you used it for blasting?

quote:
Originally posted by tims31
I have one of these http://gtair.co.uk/air-compressors/30-buri sch-bt-350v-50-litre-10-bar-direct-drive-air-compressor.html Burisch 50Ltr and its been great. I managed to damage one of the air outlet points and they sent out a replacement no charge, other than that never had a problem with it. probably the same build quality of the Clarke stuff but cheaper and was delivered free when I bought it 6 years ago.



No, not used for blasting as I have a cabinet at work to use but has been used for grinding and drilling.