Help with Blast Cabinet

[MadScientist]

Hey all,

Im looking for a modest blast cabinet for small to medium sized parts and I have a question about the requirements.  Ive seen them quoted at "minimum 12CFM at 40-80 PSI" and "5 CFM at 80 PSI".

My compressor is rated at 8.6 SCFM at 40PSI and 6.4 CFM at 90PSI.

How much would the performance suffer if I got the 12CFM model?  Would it even work?

Any and all input appreciated as always! 

Thanks

MS

[DC_1]

I have a totally underpowered compressor right now and it is almost not worth using my blast cabinate. Here are a couple of problems.

6.4 @90PSI will not keep up to your needs unless you blast for 15 seconds and wait 2 minutes to build up capacity.
Mine is a 110V 20Gal - 11 CFM @ 40 PSI, 6.1 @ 90 and it just ain't enough. You have to be able to get at least 10 CFM @90 in order to get anything done. Also get at least a 80 gal tank. Even if you have the continuous CFM output you don't want the pump running all the time because it will create to much condensation which will plug up your tip quickly. I have 2 water filters and it still plugs my tip after 15 minutes of continuous use. That is a huge pain in the A$$.

[Telvis]

My compressor runs 12 cfm @90psi and it barely keeps up. I still have condensation problems. I have a herbour freight pressurized sandblaster that I have used with the tube and nozzle inside my cabinet. That seems to do a lot better than the siphon feed gun that came with my cabinet. It's a pain using the big hose and nozzle inside the cabinet but it works pretty good.

[MadScientist]

Sooo...  What you are all saying is that Im better off getting a cabinet I can actually use (ie 5CFM) rather than getting one I wish I could use.  OK,  I'll buy that!

Another quick one, where and how do you configure the moisture traps?

Thanks

MS

[69hemi]

My compressor is rated at 14.15 CFM @ 40 PSI; 13 CFM @ 90 PSI and powers up my blast cabinet just fine.  I have a moisture trap at the compressor and another at the blast cabinet.  If I am going to blast for a long period and the humidity is high, I crack the drain valve on the bottom of the tank just a wee bit and it really seems to help out with the moisture problems.