Help,suggestion's needed for compressor for blasting?

[dixiethedog]

Before anybody suggest's it,yes,I know where the search button is,which Im going to use once I finish typing this. lol.
I bought a stand alone type workshop blast cabinet a while back which I hooked upto my 50 litre compressor. The compressor is simply too small in capacity to work the cabinet whilst blasting. It turn's into a frustrating experience rather than a blast of a good time.
So,Im on the look out for a new larger compressor. Ive just received a VAT free voucher thru the door for Machine Mart and think I may give their stuff a look??
Im only working on motorcycle part's,one thing at a time as and when needed (petrol tank's,wheel's etc) so I wont be blasting every day.
I have a heavy amp leccy supply in my workshop (240V).
Id struggle for space I think with a 200 litre compressor,so would need something a touch smaller.
Would I be able to get away with a high enough cfm 100 litre unit,or should I be thinking 150 litre??
Also,any blaster out there able to suggest the best media to be using in a home workshop??
I will be fitting a water trap of some sort in line too.

A friend yesterday suggested I should just farm out part's to a pro blaster when needed and I can see the point he was making,but Im sure if your on here,you'd agree it's far better to do thing's for yourself.
Thank you in advance,Im now off to have a look at the search button. lol.

 

[Shox Dr]

Don't get tied up with Reservoir size, It's Penis envy. It's the pump that does the work, The bigger the tank the longer it takes to get a usable pressure.

MM sell a Clarke, it must be the cheapest 1ph compressor with the highest FAD. SE19/200 (IST|R) You'll need a Dedicated 40amp supply.

 

[Shox Dr]

I've worn mine out using it in the same shed as the blast cabinet. The micro fine shot dust hangs in the air, just ready for a greedy Pump to suck in. Even with a filter.

If you can et hold of a 5Hp motor just buy pump from MM, and plump it to your current set up, giving you even more FAD.

 

[rtbcomp]

Crushed glass is the cheapest blasting media, as it wears down you get finer and finer media.

I do a lot of blasting on Vespas & Labrettas in a blast room and use 2 x 3hp 14cfm compressors and pot rather than a suction gun.

 

[Shox Dr]

I do a lot of blasting .. in a blast room and use 2 x 3hp 14cfm compressors and pot..

How do you fine that set up, I guess it works you've had it like that long enough, Correct?

 

[rtbcomp]

I'e been doing it for over 10 years now.

It's OK with a fine nozzle, new glass grit is very sharp and doesn't need as much air as something like sand.

The compressors are running all the time, but they get a rest when I re-fill the pot, that takes about 30 mins with sweeping up, sieveing and having a cup of tea.

 

[addjunkie]

Mr Dog,

Having been in your mechanical fiddling establishment, once I stepped past the knitting, boxford, and mill, I realised your dedicated spray booth etc took up a lot of space.

Might I suggest the vertical equivelant of the compressor mentioned above. Not sure on the 40 amp dupply but Im sure mm will know the draw on start up.

With the vat you save buy some ear plugs for you and the surfs round about.

 

[T0rnado69]

MM do a 28cfm one that runs for 230v

but it does come at a price.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

A cheap portable plastic greenhouse makes a useful temporary blast booth

 

[T0rnado69]

i picked up a couple of old tent canvas's
the idea was to hang one from the garage ceiling, so you can stand inside it and blast away using the pot.

well for stuff that wont fit in the cabinet.

 

[dannyp]

you not going to like this but i learnt the hard way.

with blasting tank size is just borrows time. really need a compressor that can keep up the blast nossel if your doing any quantity

 

[brightspark]

your best having both [large pump large tank . large pump on a small tank and it would be cutting in and out like a fiddlers elbow. my 28cfm comp can run a 3mm jet at 90psi and keeps on top of it and cuts out every few mins