Sandblasters and blasting cabinets are versatile pieces of equipment, but the most sophisticated, powerful sandblaster on the market is useless if it doesn't have a suitable air compressor. Air compressors provide the force that propels sand or other abrasive media through the blaster.

If you have an upcoming sandblasting project and you need a new air compressor to use with your sandblasting equipment, choosing the right type of air compressor for your needs is very important. If you're having trouble picking out a suitable compressor, keep the following guidelines in mind while you compare models and brands.

Pay Attention to CFM

The size of the blasting nozzle that fits to your sandblasting equipment will play a large part in determining your choice of air compressor. The wider the diameter of the nozzle, the higher the rate of airflow necessary for the blasting equipment to function properly. If airflow is too low, abrasive materials can lodge in the nozzle, undermining efficiency and potentially damaging your equipment.

The rate of airflow that an air compressor can produce is measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFM. Air compressors with high CFM values can go with larger nozzles. The manufacturer's information with the nozzle you intend to use should tell you how high your air compressor's CFM needs to be. Alternatively, you can ask your air compressor supplier for their recommendation.

For sandblasting operations, choose an air compressor with a higher CFM value than your nozzle requires. This is because the nozzle itself will suffer wear when exposed to blasting media, which will make the nozzle wider over time.

Check Your Equipment's PSI Rating

You should also pay attention to the amount of air pressure (measured in pounds per square inch, or PSI) that your new air compressor can provide. An air compressor with a high PSI rating can force blasting media through the nozzle at higher speeds, increasing the abrasive force of the media and speeding up your sandblasting project.

The amount of PSI your project will need is determined largely by the type of blasting equipment you intend to use. For example, siphon sandblasters draw their abrasive media from a separate tank and usually a high amount of PSI to function efficiently. Direct pressure blasters have media storage tanks built directly into their air lines and can function with a smaller PSI.

Check the manufacturer's information that comes with your sandblasting equipment to determine how much air pressure that your new air compressor needs to supply. Higher PSI ratings can speed up your sandblasting work, but choosing an overly powerful compressor may damage the equipment and cause excess wear, so don't go overboard.

Look For Long Duty Cycles

Efficient sandblasting requires an air compressor that can supply compressed air continuously for long periods. Unfortunately, air compressors generate a lot of waste heat while functioning and must deactivate periodically to prevent overheating problems.

The length of time an air compressor can be used before it needs deactivating is known as its duty cycle. Some piston-driven air compressors have 100% duty cycles, meaning they can be used 24 hours a day with no interruptions. However, these compressors can be very expensive and are generally more suitable for large, industrial sandblasting projects.

If your budget is smaller, a compressor with a 75% or 50% duty cycle will be more affordable and can still be used for relatively long periods. A compressor with a 75% duty cycle can function for seven and a half minutes out of every ten without overheating and can be used to perform large sandblasting tasks (such as removing rust from construction equipment) in a short time frame.

Following these basic guidelines should help you make the right decision when choosing an air compressor for your sandblasting equipment. If you need any more advice or product recommendations, get in touch with the air compressor experts at Ever-Joy Rent All.