What pressure do you run your blaster at? I'm wondering what the high end pressure would be, the highest you can safely push it to for heavier scaled rust and such.
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Re: Anyone with a Skat-Blast cabinet....
Yes, 90 to 100 psi will work well. Not sure if your getting started but depending on how much blasting you will be doing volume is a necessity. I run 5 hp/60 gal single stage air compressor and sometimes I wish that is was a two stage compressor that recovers air much quicker. The rule of thumb is 50/50 cycle for (hobbyist), 50% on and 50% off might get by at 65% but then you should not run long periods of time (excessive over heating & possible compressor damage). Anything over 65% cycle or more you should go with a two stage compressor (Commercial Duty). Of course nozzle diameter and media type & size is also a factor. Two stage can be very expensive over the single stage, but will handle anything you throw at it.
Hope I helped, Bill
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Re: Anyone with a Skat-Blast cabinet....
Good advice, Bill.
Air consumption depends on the size nozzle you install in your blast gun. Tip Tools has a small volume nozzle (less media, less air consumption), and a medium volume nozzle. If you have a larger compressor, the medium volume nozzle works faster for large pieces. The medium nozzle consumes most of what a 6.5 hp, 80 gallon, two stage compressor can produce, probably up around 75% cycle time...I think it's about 13 cfm at about 100 psi.
As far as maximum pressure goes, the cabinet will take usual air system pressures, say 120 psi or less, with no problem. The weak link would be the air supply hose to the gun, and those hoses are designed to run air system pressures. I ran my Skat Blast cabinet on 110-120 psi system air.
Any concern for air pressure should probably be for too high pressure when cleaning soft metals...you will damage aluminum or other non-ferrous metals if you use the usual system pressures.
TIP: When ordering replacement nozzles, always pay extra for the ceramic nozzles. The ceramic nozzles are highly resistant to media erosion, and will pay for themselves in extended life.Comment
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Re: Anyone with a Skat-Blast cabinet....
Other important accessories: That is if you want your system to operate properly is an adjustable regulator after the reservoir tank followed by a nice size in-line dryer that contains desicant to keep the air nice & dry. It's a good idea to run a ground wire on the inside of the cabinet to the grid and another from a through nut & stud, grounded to the compressor frame, connected with alligator clips for quick removal. This cuts down on shocks and static electricity immensely.
The accessories can go on, like foot operated air controller, and one of my favorite a 200 watt fluorescent light. It doesn't get hot and lights up the inside area extremely well. As you can see it's easy to go overboard...
Now your ready to bring these old parts from the swap meet and make them new again. Bill
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Re: Anyone with a Skat-Blast cabinet....
I find that with most items I clean, 75 psi is adequate. That is my default setting. Occassionaly I will have to turn it to 100 psi. Any thing much over that, a 5 hp two stage compressor (15.6 cfm) will not keep up.Dick WhittingtonComment
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Re: Anyone with a Skat-Blast cabinet....
One of the major factors is the type of media your using, I know with glass beads they recommend no more than 60psi any more air pressure than that will greatly accelerate glass bead consumption. Most blast cabinet manufactures recommend a 20cfm compressor.Comment
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Re: Anyone with a Skat-Blast cabinet....
They may recommend a 20 cfm compressor, but most people that buy the cabinets have less than 10 true cfm. Most of the bargain priced compressor ratings are, shall we say, optomisticDick WhittingtonComment
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Re: Anyone with a Skat-Blast cabinet....
They may recommend a 20 cfm compressor, but most people that buy the cabinets have less than 10 true cfm. Most of the bargain priced compressor ratings are, shall we say, optomisticDick WhittingtonComment
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Re: Anyone with a Skat-Blast cabinet....
Ya I think alot of the more "economical" ones have the CFM calculated from the cylinder displacement rather than from the actual output. I'll bet my MaxAir 18.5 cfm three cylinder compressor is closer to 15 cfm is there was some way to measure it.Comment
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Re: Anyone with a Skat-Blast cabinet....
I usually start off between 75 & 90 psi using Skate Magic media. I lower the pressure when I change to glass bead. For fine work, I have removed mild rust and paint down at 20psi. However, it doest take longer.
Regards,
DennisComment
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Re: Anyone with a Skat-Blast cabinet....
Their is a learning curve on using a Skat-Blast cabinet. Use the least amount of pressure and the softest media to do the job. Fiberglass parts use plastic media and turn the pressure up just enough to remove the paint. Alternators-carburators,smog pumps use walnut shucks at very low pressure and the stains will come off alternators,carbs will lose their finish so unless you plan to replate it be very careful. Metal parts use glass beads and if you crank the pressure up and the job is going to slow switch to black magic. After the black magic you can switch back to glass beads to smooth the surface. I even clean light bulb socket conectors with a quick blast at low pressure wit glass beads. I have a 5HP two stage Quincey and at 110# it runs all the time but I seldom use that pressure.
I'm sure others have different ideas on this subject.Last edited by Harmon C.; February 21, 2009, 06:05 AM.Lyle
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