Air compressors for sandblasting

sandblasting cabinet [image courtesy of Clemco Industries]

Compressed air is the driving force of any sand/media blasting application, and Kaeser offers a wide range of compressors for both mobile and stationary blasting applications. Whether you are cleaning parts in a blast cabinet or removing grafitti with a dustless system, Kaeser has the compressor for any size application using any media.

For stationary systems a clean, dry air system with Kaeser electric rotary screw compressor, refrigerated dryer and coalescing air filter will improve the performance of any indoor blast cabinet shooting silica, metal shot, glass or plastic beads, corn cob or nut shells. If your airline runs through cold areas (below 4° C), we recommend an appropriately sized desiccant dryer to ensure dry air in colder months.

portable compressor (M350) for sandblasting

Our Mobilair portable compressors are ideal for wet and dry blasting applications such as removing rust, scale and graffiti from metal and concrete structures. For lower flow applications such as etching monuments onsite, our M15, M17 or M27 portable compressor may be ideal.

Selecting compressors for blasting applications

Whether you are going with a stationary electric compressors or portable gas/diesel engine compressors, the most important decision is compressor size. The compressor must be sized to deliver the cfm air flow consumed by the nozzle (plus any other air uses such as breathing hoods). Specify the pressure based on the blasting equipment manufacturer’s recommendation. Most operate between 90 and 125 psig, which is easily met by both portable and stationary compressors. 

cabinet blasting [image courtesy of Clemco Industries)

A larger nozzle will draw more cfm. Over time, nozzles wear as abrasives flow through them. The orifice gets bigger and the air consumption increases. Periodically inspect nozzles and replace as needed to avoid buying more/larger compressors (and dryers, filters, tanks, hoses) than you actually need. 

Pressure only becomes an issue when there is not enough flow. Low pressure is an indicator that you don’t have enough cfm for the nozzle size. This could be from nozzle wear, system leaks or additional air users. Turning up the pressure will not overcome lack of flow. You may want to up-size your compressor (and dryer) to accommodate increased flow as the nozzle wears and consumes more air, but you will save on fuel /electricity if you replace the nozzle as it wears.

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