Can I use a sandblaster?
 

I have a few rust spots i'd like to clean up and I heard a sand blaster was the way to go. Do you think my compressor is big enough to run a small sandblaster?

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...07226&R=207226

Ingersoll-Rand
Motor: 2 HP/ 5 Peak HP - single phase motor
Volts: 110 Volts
PSI: 5.7 CFM @ 90 PSI; 4.9 CFM @ 135 PSI
Max PSI: 135 PSI
Tank Size: 24 gallon vertical
Pump: Two stage splash lubricated belt driven pump
Air Outlet: 1/4in. NPT
100% continuous duty
Drain System: Manual Drain
Start Up Kit: 15920083, sold separately
Dimensions: 23in.L x 25in.W x 51in.H
U.S.A.
Model SS3R2-GM

mine sure couldn't. there was a thread a long time go where we bashed this harbor frieght sandblaster and all their other air powered tools, they all suck! now northern tool might have a good product there, but i can't say.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=162694
again northern tool is a way better choice

Right now my concern is my compressor being to small. I can shell out the bucks to buy a top of the line sandblaster as long as i have the air to run it. I dont have 220v in the garage and this was the best 110v compressor i could find. is there a sandblaster out there thats compatable with my compressor? I know theres alot of people on here with home sandblasting setups.

Check the blaster for what it requires as far as how many cfm's at a set pressure. Then you should be able to compare it to your compresor. I have a harbor frieght sandblasting cabinet(pick up sucks made my own), and a 220 volt 7.5 hp 80 gallon twin cylinder compressor, and it only takes a little over 1 minute of blasting for the compressor to kick on to keep the pressure up. Randy

whats the best brand out there as far as blasters are concerned?

My compressor is 5.5 hp gas powered and it does alright for sandblasting. We were always running low on pressure, so we took a propane tank from a truck and used it for the air tank, so it works great now and no more waiting for pressure to build up.

A sandblaster uses air according to the nozzle size. You can run a blaster off a compressor that small but it would be very time consuming and inefficient. Installing a larger reciever tank in line with the air compressor only helps for a short time compressor takes longer to fill the extra tank ( no free lunch ) Sandblasting requires large amounts of air the road units I designed required a 1600 cfm diesel compressor. A nozzle size of 1/4 " requires 90 cfm to work properly if the pressure drops below 75 psi or so your efficiency really goes down hill. A little long winded here but hope I helped.

can you tie in two compressors?

One thing to be aware of, when sandblasting, is the fact that the sand hitting the metal generates heat. Frequently, sandblasting has caused the metal to harden, in the course of the sandblasting.

I understand your desire to clean up the rust, and there is no doubt that sandblasting is one way to do it. There are other medias out there, to clean and de-rust with. Ground walnut hulls and bicarbonate of soda are but two of them. Whichever media you use, be sure that you protect the bare metal from moisture. Also, you gotta consider that some of the media is gonna be trapped in the cracks and crevices and may show up in your paint job, if you don't get it all out.

It's a delimna, ain't it?

If sandblasting with that compressor , better be patient !

that compressor isnt going to like sandblasting one bit. its going to constantly be running and still never keep up. if you do try to sandblast with it be careful that compressor will over heat from running constantly

The hotter the compressor the more moisture with the air, Bad for blasting, The heat from the media impact is not as bad as the warping caused by the peening process taking place. Picture hitting the surface with 1,000 tiny hammers, But media that won't warp metal won't remove rust.