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Compressor question
Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:52 pm
by 912uk
I have been looking for a new compressor as my 50ltr 2hp one is ok but it does have to catch up with what you are doing..
I need to shot blast a few area's I have not been able to get to on the 356 and the shotblaster uses a heck of lot air...
What's the best for a shot blaster can I get away with a 2ph compressor but with a bigger tank.. or is that going to lag as well.. ?

Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:00 pm
by fourteener
If you have a larger receiver (tank) but with the same 2hp (got to be about 7/8cfm) it'll take longer to fill and may exceed the duty-cycle of the motor.
There is a direct ratio to the HP and cfm a compressor can make.
The larger compressors use separate belt driven pump and you'll want 14cfm+. Trouble is to get a really decent compressor you may need to go 3 phase.
I have a 3hp Atlas Copco with a 250L receiver which runs 14 cfm and that is still single phase -but it is a combined pump/motor. keeps up with most air tools though
Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:19 pm
by 912uk
it's what I thought.. I am going to call Machine mart tomorrow and ask.
Matey's got one for sale here on the forum and it's a bargain £220 but I said on the phone i might be needing a bigger one.. But lets wait and see what Machine mart say's Either way I need to talk to them before I drive all the way up to Manchester.. a 5 hr drive. ( mind you I am going to Birmingham anyway. )
But yeah 14cfm does sound the job over 9
this one..

Air Compressors and Shotblasting
Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:32 pm
by Mike Smith
A Shot Blast tip is usually around 6mm internal diameter
If you are blasting at 100 lbs per square inch you will need a compressor capable of producing 100 Cubic feet of air per minute
To put that into perspective that is the same compressor as you see being used to break up roads
Obviously a smaller tip and less air pressure will allow a smaller compressor to be used but look very carefully at what you are tying to achieve before spending your money
If this is a one off job get really organised (absolutely EVERYTHING ready) and Hire a BIG compressor or get someone else to do it ??????????
Mike at PR
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:21 am
by fourteener
I saw that compressor in the classifieds -It certainly looks more deep chested that your current hobby one. As it's belt driven you can replace the motor /pump if they break -seems feasible that you could upgrade them in the future for more power
I have my eye on a nice small screw compressor at work that's soon to become surplus when I have my new 90KW VSD central air installed.
Think it's around 4KW -and it's so q-u-i-e-t. Trouble is it is three phase so I'll have to get a converter and do some garage wiring upgrades.

Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 11:39 am
by 912uk
Just got off the phone with Machine Mart Technical people and they said for what I want it is the 3hp 14cfm 150ltr tank.. which is their biggest compressor on a single phase 2.2KW motor and it the most popular but at £650 + vat ekk...
Better give Sean the bad news..
So that compressor is still for sale if some one wants it..
I have to say with the chat I had with Sean it's like Brand new..!!! and like you say it can be upgraded at a later date..
It's in Manchester ( Bolton ) and is a bargain at £220 for all jobs but shot blasting.. ( well not as good as a bigger compressor ) it's like a few months old.. and list is £365 and he is asking £220
My 50ltr 2hp compressor is ok for sanding ( have to wait ever now and then ) spraying ( again just have to wait every now and then ) staple gun.. I use all the time.. So Sean's is the same but with a bigger tank so you shouldn't have to wait as much in between jobs..
Oh well back to the drawing board..

thought I was on to a winner there for the work shop.. esp as I was going to be half way there on Tuesday.
So the spec I need is
150ltr tank 3hp motor with a CFM of 14..

here's looking..
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 11:56 am
by 912uk
Yep there expensive just checked out a few sites.. I am sure one will come up.. I am going to call an old Sales Guy I know Marlet air.. He got me my Abac 50ltr one.. for a good price cos I had spent £75,000 with them when I was at the water board and set them up as the prefered supplier for our air supplies, I have been left a while but here it hoping..
You don't get if you don't ask..
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:53 pm
by 912uk
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 1:11 pm
by fourteener
15CFM -(I have capacity envy now) That sounds like a good score.
Could you post a pic of the blaster you're using? I used a blue point one (snap on) a while ago and it did a great job but made a horrendous mess (and probably gave me silicosia of the lung)!
That was using my old 2HP compressor.
like this

Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 1:50 pm
by 912uk
I just got one from Clarkes a spot one wish I had a can one now... oh well I have it still in the box..
I could now use my other compressor to run my air fed mask... then I am really set up... ( I was going to sell it but hey this is better )
Yes was a good timed call. The one sean has is still very good but for what I want I needed just that bit more working air. Still if any one wants a compressor for genral duty and the odd bit of paint work Sean's is a bargain..
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:40 pm
by johndglynn
That is a great price, ABAC are great compressors. I have a 3hp 60 litre 12cfm ABAC and it will run everything I have with ease, though it's not the greatest fan of a die grinder running a belt attachment. No room for a bigger unit in my old lean-to garage but new garage = new compressor.
Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 1:59 pm
by 912uk
John I must have driven right past your house last night with the compressor!!

I stopped at our other house last night for a cup of tea ( we rent it out to family ) and I had to do a cruze though Northants town center cos they closed the A..... last night
Any got it in place.. it's a F**** monster... no way am i going to run out of air with this.. wow. 15cfm 150 litre TANK!!!!! runs quite too.... all this on a 13amp single phase plug.. I checked out the motor and it is 2.2kw so it's not that some one has just chucked a plug on it..
Right better get me shot blasting kit out. this Saturday... here I come... will post pic
and yes ABAC are a great make I have one here I might sell my old one. But I relucktant 50ltr 2ph ABAC 10 years old but well maintained by me.. and still looks like new. Always drained of condenation water from the tank after each use. ( this how to make a compressor last ) Saftey valve works as it should..
I used to test and maintain our compressors for the water board as part of my job..( reason I may not sell it is because it's portable and I can use my air fed mask if I did any touch up paint work..
Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:26 pm
by fourteener
912uk wrote:.....and yes ABAC are a great make I have one here I might sell my old one...... 50ltr 2ph ABAC 10 years old but well maintained by me.. and still looks like new. Always drained of condenation water from the tank after each use. ( this how to make a compressor last ) Saftey valve works as it should....
You should be a salesman

. Post a pic of the new compressor
Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:47 am
by 40 scout
If your stuck for a powerful comp - just shout you can borrow mine if you've got a towing pin - its the one you use for breaking up the road / concrete / buried pipes and ducts etc..VERY high CFM and runs on a couple of gallons of red

No guarantee on panel condition aftrwards tho
steve
Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:32 am
by 912uk

interesting idea.. hmmm would remove just about every thing..

on the underside when the car is flipped. hmmmmm