Compressor / sander question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
Compressor / sander question
I’m going to do some body work on my ’63 before I have a painter do the finish prep & paint. I’ve started scrapping the old paint off (3 layers) and will do some basic sanding after scrapping. I don’t have a compressor that’s big enough to run a sander, so this is a great excuse to buy some new tools. What’s the smallest sized compressor you would recommend to power a sander? Any recommendations on an inexpensive sander that would do the job? I don’t intend to make body work a career so while I don’t want to end up fighting with a junk tool it doesn’t have to be the highest body shop quality either.
Thanks in advance for any recommendations.
AB
Thanks in advance for any recommendations.
AB
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
I’m going to do some body work on my ’63 before I have a painter do the finish prep & paint. I’ve started scrapping the old paint off (3 layers) and will do some basic sanding after scrapping. I don’t have a compressor that’s big enough to run a sander, so this is a great excuse to buy some new tools. What’s the smallest sized compressor you would recommend to power a sander? Any recommendations on an inexpensive sander that would do the job? I don’t intend to make body work a career so while I don’t want to end up fighting with a junk tool it doesn’t have to be the highest body shop quality either.
Thanks in advance for any recommendations.
AB
Thanks in advance for any recommendations.
AB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,529
Likes: 1,964
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Compressor
Check out Garage Journal forum. They have a ton of info on compressors etc. If at all possible, go with a two stage system. They work more efficiently and are quieter. Jerry
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
IMHO, shopping for the 'smallest one that will do it' is not always the greatest, but sometimes what has to happen due to space, cost, etc.
I have a 60 Gal stand up model from Home Depot, I forget the specs but it is 'just enough' to keep up with the bead blast cabinet.
What I have done to help with this is plumbed a 30 gallon tank inline as some extra storage. (picked up of of craigslist for about $40 or so) Looks like:
60 Gal compressor ---> 30 Gal tank ---> regulator ---> line out to tools
Not only is it extra storage, it is also colder than the running compressor, helping condense the water out of the system a little better.
Good luck!
I have a 60 Gal stand up model from Home Depot, I forget the specs but it is 'just enough' to keep up with the bead blast cabinet.
What I have done to help with this is plumbed a 30 gallon tank inline as some extra storage. (picked up of of craigslist for about $40 or so) Looks like:
60 Gal compressor ---> 30 Gal tank ---> regulator ---> line out to tools
Not only is it extra storage, it is also colder than the running compressor, helping condense the water out of the system a little better.
Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
You also want one that can perform continuous duty. Air tools run compressors really hard. If you go with specs smaller than Johnz suggests. It will run hot and hard using air sanders and buffers. Then you need to deal with the moisture created by continous running.
IMHO the first link is the smallest unit I would go with.
The second unit is an ideal.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too..._211720_211720
http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Rand...air+compressor
Last edited by MiguelsC2; Jul 31, 2012 at 05:06 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,345
Likes: 87
From: Northern MN
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Biggest problem that I see would be the amount of material that can be removed with an air operated sander. I used mine on the glass fenders of my 32 and it really took it off to quick. I couldn't hold it from getting an uneven surface. I used a DA as slow as I could get it to go but it was still to fast. Do they even make an orbital for a air unit that has the ability of variable speeds???
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,182
Likes: 94
From: going faster miles an hour...with the radio on in browns mills new jersey
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
Dynabrade makes a nice unit.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LQN5ZA/..._df_B000LQN5ZA
The speed control could be more precise. But you can't beat the price. You can also add a regulator to a non adjustable sander. That will allow you to dial in the speed you want.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 51
From: Eagleville,TN
I was in the same boat so I ended up with a Harbor Freight stand up 5 Horsepower, 60 Gallon, 165 PSI Two Stage Air Compressor. It was $799 but I had to get a 220 line wired in. Works great for anything I do.