if you were in the market, what would you buy right now? ingersol rand makes a 60 gallon that will do 18.1 cfm @90psi for 1350, or the 80 gallon will do 24.1 @90psi for 2700, will i notice the 6cfm difference for 1300 bucks more? my coleman powermate max has been good to me for over 20 years, but i'm about to start sand blasting and i know it won't keep up. i was talking with a guy and he said to just add another tank so the compressor isn't kicking on as much, has anyone done this, did it work as it was planned? i'm all about getting what you pay for, but if i can just add another 60 gallon tank, i'm tempted to do that as well.

 

Another tank won't help your existing compressor keep up with a continuous demand like sand blasting. You're smart to look at CFM, that's the key. I'd go for at least 20-CFM.

 

^^^THIS! Tank size is meaningless. Frankly, HP is meaningless, especially since most compressor makers lie about it. I got a 23 SCFM compressor some years ago. It doesn't even breathe hard when running a die grinder or media blaster. I've found that the cheapest way to get one is to buy a used industrial three phase machine and get a new single phase electric motor. I assembled my compressor from parts - 80 gal tank, Rolair K30 23 SCFM compressor head (rebuilt), and a new US-made Baldor 7.5 HP motor. Yeah, I had to run a 50A circuit for it, but man, does it put out air. I've probably got $1000 into it total, including the new pulley, belts, mag starter, etc. Still about 40% the cost of an equivalent new one.

 

Here is an older thread on the same subject, for additional info.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...estions-85811/

 

Also do not use a 1/4 inch air hose. Use at least 3/8 ID. The small hose will not deliver the air volumn you need for sand blasting.

 

^^ this..

Think of treating air like you do fluids. So length of hose and piping, piping material, all along with diameter have a significant impact on what is delivered at the end. So keep that in mind when you are looking for a compressor. Quantity (cfm) in = Quantity out meaning that you need to consider first what cfm and pressure you want at the hose end, then add up all your hose and piping head losses, to determine what minimum compressor you need.

 

When it comes to sandblasting, the cfm rating is critical. You can have too much airflow capacity.

Im sure the blast cabinet m lists airflow requirements, the compressor needs to at least match that spec. It’s preferable to exceed that spec, especially if constant use is planned. You also can’t go too big with the hoses.

 

well, it was a nice ride while it lasted with my old Coleman power mate, motor locked up on it today. i found an ingersol rand, 5hp, 18 cfm@90psi, 100% duty cycle at tractor supply for 1150, just gotta wait for it to ship now. none available in the stores.