Compressor rating question
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Joined: Apr 2015
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From: Rhinelander, wi
Compressor rating question
Gonna try painting for the first time ever. Got some sheet metal sheets to practice on. The gun I’ll be using says 9 scfm at 40 psi. The 20 gal compressor I will be using is rated at 4.0 @ 90 psi. Is this gonna work?
also, the da sander I want is rated at 4.0 cfm @ 90 psi as well. No problem there either? Thanks for the replies
also, the da sander I want is rated at 4.0 cfm @ 90 psi as well. No problem there either? Thanks for the replies
Last edited by sbaumann14; Feb 6, 2023 at 07:42 PM.
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
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From: Alberta
The compressor ratings are for maximum output, not continuous running. So being able to maintain your pressure at the gun end, may be your issue. Most painting is done it spurts, not continuous like the sander, so I think you can make the paint gun work but likely the sander will run out of air and you will have to operate it as it builds up pressure. The orifice in the paint gun will determine the air required and also if its a gravity feed or conventional gun, they have different requirements.
Sorry not much help but others more knowledgeable than me will chime in. I have painted small parts with a 20 gal compressor and you can make it work, but bigger is better.
Sorry not much help but others more knowledgeable than me will chime in. I have painted small parts with a 20 gal compressor and you can make it work, but bigger is better.
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when using air tools like sanders and such, electric is the way to go, more cost efficient. they also are consistent in operation since power source is more stable that shop air.
on orbitals and da's, variable speed is best as it makes a big diff in cutting and polishing.
on a small compressor, you can extend the run time with more volume, but, recovery is longer too. i have 4 compressors and run what i need per operation, blasting i run 3>4 units. a GREAT volume tank is a throw away water heater, gas is better, as they are glass lined and rust is not an issue, make sure you add a relief valve and stay with in pressure rating.
LPHV are best and gravity for smaller work. actually i just bought a gravity from HF, the purple gun, yep, a throw away but i am surprised at how well it works on guitar bodies.
on orbitals and da's, variable speed is best as it makes a big diff in cutting and polishing.
on a small compressor, you can extend the run time with more volume, but, recovery is longer too. i have 4 compressors and run what i need per operation, blasting i run 3>4 units. a GREAT volume tank is a throw away water heater, gas is better, as they are glass lined and rust is not an issue, make sure you add a relief valve and stay with in pressure rating.
LPHV are best and gravity for smaller work. actually i just bought a gravity from HF, the purple gun, yep, a throw away but i am surprised at how well it works on guitar bodies.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Decatur, Alabama
that compressor isn't going to put out enough air to keep up with the gun or the sander. With compressors, get the biggest one you can afford and fit in your shop. If the spray gun you have is one of those HVLP things, they are air hogs. Also when painting, once you crack open the air valve on the spray gun, you keep it open the entire time you paint. That way, no paint can dry on the air cap then splatter all over your work and ruin it. I use a one gallon metal can to test my paint on. Any defect at all in the paint will show big time on that can. I clean it up like new every time I shoot a test pattern on it.
carl
carl
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hummm??? i agree to buy the best you can, BUT,
HVLP guns are not air hogs. you forget, the ratings are at full bore operation. since when do you keep your gun full on all the time while painting???? total waste and can lead to other issues!
if you are getting liquid paint build up on the gun nozzle, it is not set up right or you are painting in adverse conditions without proper additives.
my first craftsman compressor from the 1970's will run a HVLP gun all day long and it is was a 2hp unit about his size, however i did up it with a larger motor and pulley for more output when a line power surge took out the original motor. it probably puts out around 8 scfm now.
HVLP guns are not air hogs. you forget, the ratings are at full bore operation. since when do you keep your gun full on all the time while painting???? total waste and can lead to other issues!
if you are getting liquid paint build up on the gun nozzle, it is not set up right or you are painting in adverse conditions without proper additives.
my first craftsman compressor from the 1970's will run a HVLP gun all day long and it is was a 2hp unit about his size, however i did up it with a larger motor and pulley for more output when a line power surge took out the original motor. it probably puts out around 8 scfm now.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 449
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From: Savannah, GA
Try a lvlp (low volume low pressure) gun
It will work great with a small compressor and no bigger than your tins are it will do fine.
For a sander though not so much...
It will work great with a small compressor and no bigger than your tins are it will do fine.
For a sander though not so much...
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