I want to bead blast

Charlie Mike

Charlie Mike

Sober since 1-7-14 (still a Paranoid Nutjob)
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Nov 1, 2000
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What kinda compressor (minimum psi) will I need? Is the Harbor Freight bead blasting cabinet sufficient?
 
You need at least 90 lbs. I have been using a HF bead blast cabinet for over 10 years, and it is still just fine.
 
I'm looking at the top cabinet and the 10 gallon blaster.



Problem is all the compressors I'm seeing are 90 psi.
 
Charlie Mike said:
]

Problem is all the compressors I'm seeing are 90 psi.
Click to expand...

No



They report SCFM at 90 psi as a way of fair comparison betweent them all


and you should be looking at that

Pressure is easy, they all will hit 100 psi
but some will do it and keep it up all day

Some will take 15 minutes to do it.


Volume SCFM is the most important


Let's see some specs of the compressor you want



and try to find the air requirement for that cabinet
 
That Bench top model is basically what I use. I only use glass beads and low psi, 70-100psi.
 
It's going to be more about CFM than PSI. A pancake compressor can put out 90psi but as soon as you start blasting it will drop. You need a compressor with a large enough tank and capable of enough CFM to keep up with the blaster. Any compressor that is recommended for using air sanders, paint guns etc.. should work. As the blaster blows air out, the compressor needs to be able to replace it or you will have to wait for the pressure to build back up. Hope this helps.
 
I'm looking at the 15 gallon model.

 
If your air compressor runs more than 50% of the time while you're bead blasting you'll be overworking your compressor. If the compressor produces 5 SCFM at 90 psi the blasting cabinet shouldn't consume more than 2.5 SCFM at the same pressure to keep from over working the compressor.

The easy solution is to lay off the trigger for a couple of minutes, then go back to blasting. My Harbor Freight blasting cabinet does OK and my 60 gallon 2 stage compressor produces 10.5 SCFM at 90 psi but I use the compressor for more than just bead blasting, like spray finishing and such other stuff.
 
Then it looks like this is what I'm buying!
 
Get at least a 60 gallon two stage compressor. They cost more, but the pay of is worth it. With a compressor of this size you can pretty much run about everything. Harbor freight has a two stage that has good customer reviews. If you have the money look at the Quincy compressors. If you buy a small compressor you will regret it I promise.
 
Make sure that whatever you buy it is rated for 100% duty. That means it can run continuously. I killed my small compressor blasting some blades, the new one works much better. A shop vac hooked up to the cabinet helps to keep the dust down a bit.
 
So this would be better?

 
The last one looks best, you will need at least 10 SCFM. That's about what I have and I get about one part done per compressor cycle and give it plenty of rest between cycles.

Seal up that blast cab before you fill it! Run plenty of dust collection too... you need to pull more air out than you put in otherwise it will find a way out along with your media.

Check out Barrel Blaster. USA made and great service... nice blast cab.
 
Before you purchase that blaster, take a look at The Barral Blaster that is made in Texas. I bought one and I am very happy with it. They also have great customer service.
 
Hi CharlieMike,
I have that HF cabinet you were looking at but the BarrelBlaster looks like a much better unit. I tried to seal the HF unit but it still isn't completely sealed - leaks dust, even with a 5 HP shop vac hooked up.

I have a 5 HP/60 gal compressor which will barely keep up with the blasting. I think it is rated for 10 CFM at 90 psi and I am running it at 85 psi. The barrelblaster literature recommends 12 CFM @ 80 psi so I would go with a 7 HP/60 gal tank, compressor.

I tried glass beads first, which wouldn't touch Rc60 S35VN. I am now using a mixture of glass beads and AlO2 which I get from McMaster-Carr which gives me a very nice matt finish. Good luck.

Tim
 
Look at the harbor freight 60 gallon 2 stage central pneumatic compressor. It has good reviews and it will put out more cfm. Like 15+cfm. It's like $799 and with 20% off coupon it would be close to the same price as the smaller one you are looking at.Quincy has a two stage from northern tool for like $1400. I guess they are top notch, but for the money I think the harbor freight one is hard too beat.
 
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