Shop equip. advise

[Belair62]

I have a 5hp 2 STAGE compressor.This is probably minimum for a good job. You will need the 2 stage because you will be pushing a lot of air out of that nozzle.I dont think a small compressor will produce the results you want. If you are going to do any major blasting of frames or anything like that outside, MAKE SURE you get a respirator. Do not breathe any blasting dust.I use mostly plastic media now unless there is a lot of rust. Buy many extra plastic "lenses" which protect the glass. You will destroy the cabinet glass if you dont and you need a lot of them because they cloud up when you use abrasives.

[DarrylD]

I'm limited to single phase power so the 5HP,two stage is exactly what I'm looking at. I don't think cabinet size is as important as nozzle size. With a 5 HP they recommend a medium nozzle(15-20 CFM). The new portable oil-free two stage Craftsmen is intriging. Its only a 20 gal. tank but I hear they are changing it to a 25 gal. tank. I would prefer a 60 or 80 gal. tank, but this unit is really quite and seems powerful. I might get this one plus one with a larger tank for the shop.

[Kurt S]

I'm running an older oiled 4 hp Craftsman. Works fine if you're not continuously blasting. A bit bigger would be better. I also have a 960 cabinet.

I don't believe that 2 stage is important for volume, it's for pressure. Compare the rated CFM's a given pressure. (A 2 cylinder will crank out more volume. But in a 2 stage, the second piston is a smaller diameter to further compress the air from the first stage).