To run a DA I think you want an 80 gallon 5 hp vertical stationary compressor. Same goes for painting and blast cabinet. I've tried with smaller compressors (4 hp 35 gallon) and it's not something I would do again.

Don

 

Have a Lowes Kobalt vertical 60 gal compressor. Runs everything you listed fine. 240 volt. got it for about 400 bucks... Nothing fancy... The sand blast booth runs it down but after standing there humped over for about 20 min, you need a break...

 

Get a two stage air compressor if it's within your budget.

 

Agreed! I recently bought a 2 stage eaton compressor. It is awesome!! I can sand blast full bore using a siphon feed craftsman blaster and the compressor catches back up and shuts off!! No shortage of air!
Eaton's customer service is outstanding. I received mine with a small amount of shipping damage and Eaton offered to replace the unit or refund the shipping cost.

Air compressors are one of those things you get what you pay for. Save your $$ until you can get a good one or you will be very frustrated "waiting" for it to catch up. Compare compressors by CFM @ PSI, forget the HP rating. A lot of manufactures may show a decent cfm rating but its only at 90psi. The eaton I have is rated 17 cfm at 175psi! Believe me, it makes a difference.

Good luck.

 

Over the years I've had a 2HP 30 gal SS, a 5HP (actually more like 3HP, they rate them rather generously) 60 gal SS, and now a REAL 5HP 80 gal 2 stage. I made do with the first two. Having to wait for them to catch-up and to cool down. Most of the SS are 50% duty cycle while the professional level two stages are 100% duty. I love it when I'm running my DA and the compressor actually shuts off for 5-10 mins while I'm still sanding.

No one ever regrets buying too much compressor. There's a lot of good used ones around now as the economy has driven a lot of shops out of business. Check craigslist in your area.

Stay away from the Chinese ones. They tend to self-destruct.

 

After you buy a real compressor that will not disappoint your requirements, pipe it the way your supposed to and not skimp on that either. http://www.sharpe1.com/sharpe/sharpe.nsf/Page/Air+Piping+Layout or http://www.tptools.com/StaticText/airline-piping-diagram.pdf Plenty of reading under the Tool & Shops section.

 

Same size garage as you, 24 x 24, forget the portable. It just will not work.

I have a sandblast pot and that is what finally sent me over the edge from playing around to upgrade from a portable.

You can certainly find room as I did, for a vert. 60 gal, 5HP. 2 stage.
Sandblast until you run out of reasons to blast and the pressure never drops below 140 psi on the tank.

And X2 on craigs list, you can find a used commercial unit at great price (just make sure it is single phase)

 

I have a 6HP 60 gallon Campbell Hausfield. Just under 500.00 bucks. Works for me.

 

I have a 6HP 60 gallon Campbell Hausfield. Just under 500.00 bucks. Works for me.

Same here! Love it. You can check out my thread to see just how much I do with it too. It can last through 4 tires being removed and reinstalled before it clicks on again to repressurize the tank. Just be sure to run the proper piping, ball valves and you'll make your tools happier too. (less water in the lines)

I attached a picture so you can see which one. It's hiding in the background.

 

I bought an Ingersol single stage 60 gal 3 hp, it wouldn't run anything without waiting for air, my portable one is even worse! Bought a dual stage, no more problems waiting for air!

Mike

 

Pick a number for your budget then buy the most CFM you can get for that $ amount. If the number is less than 15 @ 90 PSI you have to wait when blasting.

Jeff

 

Pick a number for your budget then buy the most CFM you can get for that $ amount. If the number is less than 15 @ 90 PSI you have to wait when blasting.

Jeff

Jeff- I just checked my compressor's ratings out and was quite disappointed.

11.4cfm @40psi and 10.2cfm @90psi

Is there anything I can do to improve it besides selling it and buying a new one? I am often waiting for it to catch up to my work rate I noticed. Otherwise, it has been great for normal use.

 

I could not agree more. Tank size and engine are good considerations, but CFM (cubic feet per minute) is THE most important. Mine has rating of 13 CFM and it is functional, I rarely have to wait for the compressor to catch up. I wouldn't go below 13, but higher would be better.

 

Go for a vertical two stage 60 gal+ 240v 175psi. compressor.

I've used mine (IR) with a pressurized blasting pot inside a tent in my driveway and, even though the compressor kicks on, it'll go through the pot without any loss of blasting power.

It's plumbed with 3/4" blue copper pipe and takes a little longer to pressure up initially, but I get no water in the lines past the first water drop.

Also, SEARS will price match any online price of the IR compressors they carry. They beat Air Compressors Direct by 10% and matched the free shipping.

 

Before I sold my Ingersoll Rand, I noticed that the air intake was severely restricted, I ported out the plastic filter housing and it made a Hugh difference on how fast it pumped up. Just thought I'd share.

Mike

 

Nothing local on craigslist now for a good used compressor, but I've been looking now that I've read this thread. I would like a larger one with more cfm's @ 90 psi, and something that will last through continuous blasting or the use of a cut-off wheel. That seems to gobble up the air too quickly. It may be that my cut-off tool is a cheapy.:yes:

 

Pump, motor quality and compressor design are important as well as output. Many people buy a big tank with a peanut sized garbage pump and are disappointed. Clever marketing targeting the less knowledgeable. Air tools gobble up air and has nothing to do with the quality of the tool. A cut off wheeel should be able to run with no bog down non-stop. Compressors that can't keep up with the demands a frame off restoration requires are a waste of money. They should not be running continuously and fall on their face. Pressure pot blasters suck air and skimping on air supply doesn't cut it.

 

so based on that info, the issue with my Campbell Hausfeld 6 hp 60 gal, 220V is that it's only producing 11.4cfm@40 psi and 10.2cfm@90 psi--correct? Being that I am on a budget, but want increased performance, would something like these suit my needs from what you see I use it for?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00919261000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1


OR--

http://www.buy-air-compressor.com/product-detail.php?id=1

 

The IR in your link is single stage. Still not quite there.
At the bottom of the page, for $100 more, is the two stage 14.8@90 psi.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00918298000P?mv=rr

This is my model, and like I said, I have a sandblast pot that I use.
I got very lucky and found this on Craigs List - unused, never installed, still in the factory wrapping. The guy just wanted to move on after a failed attempt to start a limo modding business.

And, irregardless of cfm, psi, and air line size, this is my 500th post.

 

Congrats on your 500th post.:hurray:

Thanks for the advice on the compressor. I see what you mean. Maybe I can sell mine?