Air Compressor reserve tanks

[79XS11F]

Will getting a large reserve air tank allow my compressor to meet a higher CFM rate? I would like to run a sand blaster without a number of interruptions I currently have with my small shop sized unit. Reserve tanks are a lot cheaper then LARGE compressors that come with a large tank.
Rob

[CatatonicBug]

CFM = Cubic Feet per Minute. It's a measurement of the amount of air that the compressor can/must push out through a tube to make a tool function. It really doesn't matter how many reserve tanks you have, if your compressor can't keep up with the usage. It will work for the initial use, but you'll still have to stop (for a longer time) and wait for the tanks to fill back up again.

[latexeses]

Look for a "two stage" compressor pump. Don't ask me what that really means. Recovery rate is much faster. Usually only find them on the bigger compressors too (60 gal).I went through the same series of questions when I set my shop. I was told they are about the only thing that will keep up with sanders and such.
They also cost more $$$.

[DiverRay]

Two stage pumps use two the two pistons as two pumps. The first piston compresses the air part way, and the second piston brings it all the way up to final pressure. As just an example, the first "stage" or piston will compress the ambient air to 50 PSI, and then it gets pushed into stage 2, or the second piston that brings it up to 125 PSI. As each piston does NOT compress the air in one stroke, they can move more VOLUME of air.

[latexeses]

Thanks Diver. Never had ANYONE explain it before. Just got the "pumps more air" story. Now it makes sense.

[79XS11F]

OK so it looks like the only real way to use high demand air tools like sand blasters is to buy a bigger unit.
Thanks guys
Rob

[fredintoon]

Will getting a large reserve air tank allow my compressor to meet a higher CFM rate? I would like to run a sand blaster without a number of interruptions I currently have with my small shop sized unit. Reserve tanks are a lot cheaper then LARGE compressors that come with a large tank.
Rob

Hi Rob,
OK you wait until you have 100psi then start blasting. If the cfm the sandblaster needs is more than the cfm that the compressor puts out you're gonna loose pressure as you blast until the tank pressure drops to where the blaster quits working. Then you wait until the pressure builds to 100psi again and start over.
A larger tank will let you blast a workpiece with fewer interruptions (albeit with longer waits to rebuild the pressure) and that might be a good enough fix for you to live with but it cannot make your compressor pump air at a higher cfm.
BTW Princess Auto flier lists a 11.2cfm @90psi V-2 air compressor unit with a 60 gallon tank for $599.99 offer open until Feb 15.

[79XS11F]

Hi Rob,
OK you wait until you have 100psi then start blasting. If the cfm the sandblaster needs is more than the cfm that the compressor puts out you're gonna loose pressure as you blast until the tank pressure drops to where the blaster quits working. Then you wait until the pressure builds to 100psi again and start over.
A larger tank will let you blast a workpiece with fewer interruptions (albeit with longer waits to rebuild the pressure) and that might be a good enough fix for you to live with but it cannot make your compressor pump air at a higher cfm.
BTW Princess Auto flier lists a 11.2cfm @90psi V-2 air compressor unit with a 60 gallon tank for $599.99 offer open until Feb 15.

That's the one I'm considering ...It's a GREAT price but "do I really" need one that big on an ongoing basis ...
Rob
Rob

[Rasputin]

Big Air

I have a huge air compressor in my garage. As long as you have room, you will never be unhappy with a large one. I use mine for so much stuff just cause its there. The 60 gal tank will allow a fair amount of use before the compressor kicks in with smaller stuff. Mine is 18.2 cu ft @175 psi two stage with a 5 HP motor. The garage wiring would not take the 7 hp motor I was hoping to use. That is also a consideration when purchasing a compressor as they do pull a fairly large amperage on startup.

[tarzan]

Size matters here.There is never too much air IMO.I have a large compressor too and find the need for the extra power and volume fairly often.

[79XS11F]

This one is an Iron horse brand and i don't even know if that's good or bad? The unit is 6.5 HP and delvers 11.2 CFM at 90 PSI. It has 2 cylinders but does not state if that's just 2 cylinders or 2 stage. Also says cast iron construction.That's enough to run anything I have including a sand blaster. It uses a 60 gal tank. It runs on 230 volt so I would have to make a heavy duty 15 to 20 foot cord for it so i can plug it in to the dryer power supply when I am using it.
So ... is Iron horse a good brand, can I get away with the heavy duty plug made out of heavy house wiring. At $599.00 It's appears to be a sharp buy.
Rob

[79XS11F]

Also .. at auto garages these big units are vented to the outside. i am guessing it's an air supply: Id this mandatory? Can these things be shipped laid on their sides as I would have to stuff it in my Jeep. i don't know anyone with a pick up truck.
Rob

[CatatonicBug]

The ventilation issue is not for air supply. It's usually located in some kind of out-building to reduce the noise in the work area. These things get LOUD. In a professional auto-shop area, they may also be concerned with fuel fumes getting sparked by the moving parts or the electric motor. In a residential setting, the only real issue is noise. If I was to install one that big in my house, I would definitely go all the way to the circuit breaker and install a new 220V outlet. Extension cords for 220v scare me.... Definitely use the proper 2-phase wiring for a circuit like that though. If you're gonna do it, I would definitely say to do it right the first time. Not something you want to take short-cuts with.

And, yes, these things can lay down. I would suggest setting it vertical for a couple hours before running it though, to let the lubrication get back to where it's supposed to be.

[fredintoon]

That's the one I'm considering ...It's a GREAT price but "do I really" need one that big on an ongoing basis ...
Rob

Hi Rob,
of course you do. If you can afford it, go for it. I battled with the inadequacies
of too-small homebuilt air compressors for years until I got my 12cfm unit built.
And think of all the air tools you can put on your Christmas wish list.

[79XS11F]

Hi Rob,
of course you do. If you can afford it, go for it. I battled with the inadequacies
of too-small homebuilt air compressors for years until I got my 12cfm unit built.
And think of all the air tools you can put on your Christmas wish list.

Well my concern is the power supply. I don't have any extra panel box capacity to wire it in and the closest plug in power supply is the dryer which is properly wired in. I was thinking that if I made up a cord of the next larger size wire then is used for things like stoves and dryers I would be OK. The only difference I would see is that there is a plug / connection along the way. The dryer is already wired with one size larger then standard because it is 30 feet from the panel box. I don't want to have to worry about an electrical fire but there are no 110 volt units that will delver acceptable CFM. If making up a heavy duty cord is safe I will buy one of these units ... if not , there's not much sense in getting it.
Rob