Compressor for media blasting (DIY space limited!)

[sport1901966]

Hi everyone, apologies for another what compressor thread. I’ve been through the forum and had a look at the FAQ and found a couple of currently available options, but wanted some advice/opinions before making a purchase. The two seemingly suitable compressors I’ve found are -

Clarke XEP15/50(OL) 14cfm 50Litre 3HP Portable Industrial Air Compressor (230V)
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-xep1550-portable-industrial-air-compres/

Wolf Dakota 90L Air Compressor 3HP 14CFM 230V Twin Cylinder 10BAR 150psi (Compressor Only)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007VOLOHG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NpaNEbB4FFYJH

I’m not sure I’ll be able to fit the 90L tank in the space I have, but if it’s the best option I may have to just find a way.

The primary use will be blasting car bodywork to remove rust - not large projects, more for tight areas/crevices/places other mechanical methods can’t reach (example pic attached - paint to be removed and welding properly dressed). It’ll just be in my garage/on the driveway (no dedicated area available) so containing the dust will be another thing to deal with also.

Will either or both of these compressors cut it for what I’m looking to do? If not can you recommend any others? I am a bit budget restricted (to be honest the clarke is already a bit beyond it) but I don’t want to buy something that won’t do the job!

Cheers!

 

[Dcal]

I have no direct experience of either compressor but both should be up to the job of blasting small areas and certainly the area you've shown.
The big unknown is what sort of blaster will you be using and what area (or for how long) will you be blasting in the same session.
Another consideration might be, how much noise and dust can you, or your near neighbours stand?

I would think the Clarke might run a bit slower which is good from a noise point of view but I'm not sure if there would be much difference in air output.
Remember these are air displacement values which is much lower than the real values but there is only so much air you can get out of 3hp.

For the area you've shown, either of the compressors and a spot blaster would go the job and would cut down the amount of dust.
If using a pressure pot you would need to use something to contain the dust.
I've had good results using an open geofabric (Terram) as curtains around the car to contain the dust when using a pressure pot but If it's a small area I'd use a spot blaster.
A 3hp compressor will only run a pressure pot for a short while.

 

[minimutly]

A multicylinder petrol engine with two cylinders converted to compress air would be ideal.....

 

[fizzy]

I have that model Clarke. It will just about keep up with a blaster. I did a whole LR with it. Very nice compressor. Runs air tools a treat as well.
Wait for a VAT free voucher and you will save quite a bit.
I suspect performance will be about the same with the Wolf but I doubt it will last as along. Then again if you are only going to use it now and then it doesn't matter so much.
Oh and despite what Machine Mart say they will happily run off a normal 13amp plug.

 

[sport1901966]

@Dcal
Thanks for the comprehensive reply, I appreciate you taking the time. I think as I’m not planning on tackling big panels, just the off hard to reach areas a spot blaster would be the way forward, and sounds like it would be more viable with compressors similar to those mentioned. I’ll do some reading up on spot blaster/media options and see what I can come up with. Of course any recommendations would be very welcome!

Noise is definitely a consideration, hence looking at belt drive units, hopefully that’ll be enough, if not a back up would have to be some form of enclosure.

@minimutly
Haha I was just reading through the thread on that subject, sounds like a whole other black hole of a project to fall into!

 

[sport1901966]

@fizzy
Thanks for that, it’s great to hear from people with direct experience of them. It sounds like quality and size (for my space requirements) of the Clarke one would make it a good choice. That said as you say my frequency of use would be low, so cost wise it may be a closer decision. How often do the VAT free vouchers come up? Cheers

 

[fizzy]

I am not a fan of those spot blasters.
Get something like this.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Switzer-...545610&hash=item1c0e6313ae:g:8pUAAOSwQKdcypy6

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-Gallo...965333&hash=item3d9463ad71:g:x1kAAOSwLdBaCURA

 

[fizzy]

@fizzy
Thanks for that, it’s great to hear from people with direct experience of them. It sounds like quality and size (for my space requirements) of the Clarke one would make it a good choice. That said as you say my frequency of use would be low, so cost wise it may be a closer decision. How often do the VAT free vouchers come up? Cheers

Ask around on the forum. Sometimes nice people have a spare lying around but with CoVid19 maybe they have been suspended for a while who knows.

 

[Dcal]

For what the OP has shown I wouldn't be breaking out a blast pot.
It will do a better job and a more capable tool but it will be a lot more disruption and mess to clean up after.

I've had and used a Sealey SG10 spot blaster for years and when it's a small job and / or I don't want to make a huge mess, I use it.
When it's a bigger job I go for the blast pot.
I used both blast options on the Alfa 75 I'm doing up so I know their limitations and how much mess they can make.

 

[8ob]

If it’s all small areas like this you may be ok using the compressor you have and spend the money on a sizeable receiver. Valve it so when not in use you don’t need to charge it.

Bob.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

A few years ago I had a soda blaster and bought a new 3hp direct drive twin cylinder compressor. The sheer amount of noise from the compressor was a real problem and it couldn't keep up with the blaster; I had blasted a lathe using it and once the job was completed I sold both the blaster and compressor. Later I bought an Hydrovane compressor and this was a joy to use; I could work at the bench with the Hydrovane running without needing ear defenders; the only problem was the amount of water the Hydrovane put out; I chiselled out the pointing to our bungalow using the Hydrovane setting the pressure at 75 psi which it kept up easily; it wasn't fitted with a receiver.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[Gragson]

To buy new, a Hydrovane would be another budget level to the OP.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

I fully agree Gragson; second hand Hydrovanes are available but command high prices and most of them are 3 phase.

My Hydrovane compressor.

I would never buy another second hand Hydrovane.

The unloader valve; the part with the "O" ring I made.

As seen above my Hydrovane didn't have a receiver tank. It was sold to me through eBay as in good working order; when my wife and I collected it sure enough it was working and sounding fine; back home though I quickly found it to be far from fine; it's pressure went right into the red zone; the guy selling it knew this so on demonstration he ran it until it came up to normal pressure then switched it off leaving me with a big problem.

I posted for help but it appears no one has repaired one of these Hydrovanes so as usual I did it the hard way and stripped the lot down; the "unloader valve" was the faulty component so I made the new part with the "O" ring seen in the picture above; it's a long story so here it is;

https://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/hydrovane-6pu-compressor-problems-290649/index3.html

Now there is a bit of information on the web. After doing my big jobs using the Hydrovane I sold it but knew it to be in good condition and ran it for at least ten minutes for the new owner before letting it go. It really needed a receiver and large air/water separator; it was a pleasure though to listen to it after the repair was carried out; I also learned quite a bit too.

Sorry to hijack your thread but there are plenty of second hand Hydrovanes available and this is my cautionary story regarding my Hydrovane.

A multicylinder petrol engine with two cylinders converted to compress air would be ideal.....

Thanks minimutly; what a great idea for a project.


Kind regards, Colin.

 

[fizzy]

I would LOVE a hydrovane but I don't know enough about them and they are so expensive.

 

[jenki]

Thank you for the Hydrovane repair link Retired it was very interesting. I too regard my cheapy piston compressor as a hateful thing due to the noise.

 

[WorkshopChris]

Wait for a VAT free voucher and you will save quite a bit.

How often do the VAT-free vouchers come up? Cheers

Just something to keep in mind, I have a feeling the vat free days now have some restrictions on them from memory the range to blue line industrial compressors is one of the things excluded, If i can find a recent one I will have a look.
Other than that they are very good machines and would be at the top of my list for a portable compressor at that capacity.

 

[sport1901966]

Thanks for all the replies guys, lots of info to digest.

It seems that a Spot Blaster would be a sensible place to start (with the task I need it for, and the dust generation considerations) - a blast pot being easy enough to purchase and add on at a later date.

I had come across the Hydrovane units, sounds like the ideal choice for a domestic setting noise wise, unfortunately 3 phase and the cost rule them out for me.

@WorkshopChris
Thats useful to know, if you do find one that confirms the industrial compressors are excluded that would be helpful.

Thanks again everyone

 

[WorkshopChris]

From a VAT free email that ended February:-

†THIS OFFER IS SINGLE USE AND EXCLUDES THE PURCHASE OF: GIFT CARDS, E-VOUCHERS, IRD20B HEATER, CLARKE DG6000DVES, KC6, KC10 AND PTO GENERATORS, HONDA GENERATORS, CLARKE AIR INDUSTRIAL BLUE LINE, VERTICAL, SCREW & SSE SILENCED COMPRESSORS, PARTS, CLARKE MODULAR SYSTEMS, CLEARANCE, SALE & MM XTRA LINES, AND ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. ACCOUNT FACILITIES AND OTHER OFFERS (INC. SHELVING MULTI-BUY) CANNOT BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS PROMOTION.
‡ MINIMUM SPEND EXCLUDES CARRIAGE.
*ACTUAL DISCOUNT AT 20% VAT IS 16.67%, EQUIVALENT TO THE AMOUNT OF VAT YOU WOULD BE CHARGED ON OUR EXC VAT CURRENT TRADE CATALOGUE PRICES.

Looks like they are still in the excluded list.

 

[sport1901966]

Thanks for looking that up at least I won't be waiting in vain now!

In terms of spot blasters the Clarke SB3 seems to be one people are happy with from what I've read - the only question I have is regarding nozzles. The manual suggests it comes with a 6mm nozzle - I've seen some suggestions that 3mm may be better with the pressure/flow available from the 3hp compressors mentioned above. Are other nozzles available? I've had a look around and can't see any obvious options

 

[brightspark]

Thanks for looking that up at least I won't be waiting in vain now!

In terms of spot blasters the Clarke SB3 seems to be one people are happy with from what I've read - the only question I have is regarding nozzles. The manual suggests it comes with a 6mm nozzle - I've seen some suggestions that 3mm may be better with the pressure/flow available from the 3hp compressors mentioned above. Are other nozzles available? I've had a look around and can't see any obvious options

if its the suction gun blaster its only the outer nozzle that is 6mm not the air jet .you would need a 90 cfm compressor to run that size air nozzle and that's on a pressure pot heres the guts of a suction gun I made its the same principal as the spot blast gun . air is supplied from the back pipe in to the back air jet and the media is sucked up the front pipe and blown out of the front nozzle