New compressor and blasting

[LSUfj]

Just wanted to show off the latest addition to the shop. Its a quincy qt-5 80gallon. I hear its has of the highest if not the highest cfm output per hp. 17.2cfm at 175 psig, 100%duty out of a 5hp motor. Got a great deal from an autoshop that shut down. Less than a month old.



Just need to get it set in place and wired.

I hope to save some money on sand blasting my 40's frame and body with this purchase. What do you guys recommend for blasting? Media and type of blaster? I was looking at Eastwoods pot blasters....

 

[John Smith]

Nice, it looks brand new. Even with 100% duty cycle you are going to tax it trying to blast a body or frame all at once. For large blast projects I would look into renting a industrial compressor for a day. They put out 185 cfm at 100psi and you don't have to worry about it keeping up or burning up the motor on your new purchase. 80 gallons seems like plenty of air until you start doing high volume work like blasting a body or frame.

 

[Lulu]

i have to agree with John. I blasted my frame with Black Beauty with a commercial compressor from a manufacturing company with my small 60# capacity pot. Even with 20cfm the deadman would clog frequently,this with at least 4 filters in line, and I spent alot of time going back over the same spots.
I had the "I want to do everything to this truck with my own tools" mentality. So far, that is the only thing I would do different. Find a commercial sand blast company or rent a huge unit. I've heard commercial places can blast a frame in an hour for around dinner for two at a nice restaurant.

 

[LSUfj]

My frame is in pretty good shape, as is the body. I plan to take off most of the paint with a grinder/sanding disc. I hope to only sand blast the hard to reach areas and some smaller parts.

Any idea how much it costs to rent one of those larger units? I have a feeling its close to what it would cost to bring it somewhere for blasting.

 

[Lulu]

Able's is the place I heard to take it for about $100. It's here in Dallas though. The whole frame down to white steel. Not sure about the rental, prolly Nation's rental.
I have heard not to sand blast the body though as it warps the sheet metal. Soda blasting seems to be better unless you let a pro do it. You can also rent Soda blasters, but again not sure of rates. Just try google and your zip code.
Good luck and have fun. It is a dirty, dirty, dirty job. Did I mention it is dirty?

brad