Review updated on July 15, 2023
Sandblasting, or abrasive blasting as it is often called is one of the more common uses of an air compressor.
Sanding blasting is the process of utilizing compressed air to hurtle fine abrasive materials such as sand on to the workpiece to remove rust, paint, scales formed by heat treatment, oil and grease stains, etc. The power of the pressurized air allows you to quickly clean, smooth, and shape a wide variety of surfaces.
However, just because it is a common air compressor job, doesn’t mean that every air compressor is equally well-suited to doing said job. In this article, I’m going to look at air compressors specifically from the perspective of someone who is primarily going to be doing sandblasting.
Sizing Compressor for Sandblasting
The size of an air compressor for sandblasting depends on three factors: the nozzle size of the sandblaster, CFM (air volume), and PSI (Air pressure). For a small sandblasting work that uses #2 nozzle (1/8”), you need an air compressor that can deliver 20 CFM @100 PSI. Bigger jobs with #4 nozzle (1/4”) require 80 CFM @ 100 PSI and heavy-duty jobs the utilize #6 nozzle or more need 175 CFM and above at 90 PSI.
Please note that similar to spray painting, sandblasting requires a continuous supply of air, and hence the tank capacity is also important.
Another factor that many people often overlook is that, with the way sandblasting works, it is very common that the orifice of the nozzle gets worn out and becomes larger. A larger diameter nozzle would require a higher volume of air (CFM) to successfully perform its task.
Top 5 Air Compressors for Sandblasting
Here are the best air compressor for sandblasting that I found best for small and medium-size industries including automotive work.
1. Dewalt 80-Gallon Compressor
The Dewalt that can deliver an output volume of 14 CFM at 90 PSI and a maximum air pressure of 155 PSI is good for most small and medium-duty sandblasting jobs.
The reliable brand, balanced output against price, and a low noise level of 52 dB make this my recommended air compressor for sandblasting.
2. Quincy QT-54 : Budget Friendly
My absolute go-to option for sandblasting would be the Quincy QT-54 Splash Lubricated Reciprocating Air Compressor. This is a high-quality, all-around great option. However, this vertical compressor has lower CFM output when compared to Dewalt.
Quincy QT-54: Click to See Price
This is a 60-gallon air compressor. While everyone has their own preferences when it comes to capacity, I think 60 gallons is a great size for sandblasting. The same goes for the CFM output of the air compressor. As I said earlier, you want a minimum of 10 CFM from your air compressor. The Quincy QT-54 outputs close to 16 CFM, which is a decent number for DIY sandblasting work.
Key Specifications
- Air Volume: 15.4 CFM @ 100 psi
- Air Pressure: 145-175
- Motor: 5 HP 230V
It is also just a very well-built air compressor overall. It offers great performance and it should last you quite a long time as mine has held up very well through heavy use.
3. Industrial Air IH9929910: 35 CFM
If you absolutely need a high capacity air compressor, then you might want to try the Industrial Air. This horizontal air compressor, as you can see from the product name, boasts an impressive 120-gallon tank.
Industrial Air IH9929910 – See Price
Now, full disclosure, I personally have not used this air compressor. The reason for this is that I don’t personally think 120 gallons is necessary for something like sandblasting. However, everyone’s opinion may differ. I canvassed some friends to find out what they thought a good high-capacity option was, and this was recommended.
Besides its high capacity, they also find that the power output of the Industrial Air compressor is more than adequate. At 35 CFM @ 100 PSI, it is as powerful as my personal favorite, the Dewalt, and the price is also fairly close. I can’t imagine you going wrong with either of these two air compressors.
4. HPDAVV 219 CFM – Heavy-Duty
Are you looking for an extremely powerful compressor that can provide pressurized air for a whole shop or factory? Check out this model.
HPDAVV 219 CFM – Click to See Details
The HPDAVV 50 HP unit delivers an air volume of 219 CFM with a maximum air pressure of 150 psi. This is a unit that not many of you would need unless you are running a dedicated sandblasting unit or autobody workshop.
Key Specs
- Air Output: 219 CFM
- Air Pressure: 125-150 psi (8-10 bar)
- Motor: 50 HP 230V
5. Northstar 20-Gallon -Portable
If you are in a jam and need something that is both budget and space-conscious, then you might want to consider giving the NorthStar a try. This isn’t the most powerful compressor around (it only has a power output of around 14 CFM), but it is still a decent option overall.
But the key feature that makes this unit is attractive is its portability. It is a gas-powered portable air compressor with a 163CC Honda engine.
Northstar Portable – Click to See Price
The V-shaped cylinder orientation and oversized flywheel design keep the temperature of the unit well under control. This is a relatively small, well-built compact air compressor.
Key Specs
- Air Volume: 13.7 CFM @ 90 PSI
- Air Pressure: 130 psi
- Motor: 163CC Gas Powered Honda Engine (Approximately 5 HP)
I have used the NorthStar, and while the power output is a slight problem for sandblasting, I also recognize that this is the best option for those who may need a truly portable unit.
Likewise, it is also fairly cheap as far air compressors go. I understand that not everyone operates on the same budget, so sometimes you have to make do with sub-optimal tools in the name of making money.
The only complaint I have is sometimes it takes a couple of tries for the Honda engine to get started.
Sandblasting Compressor Buying Guide
In this section of the article, I’m going to talk about some of the features that you should look for when buying an air compressor specifically for sandblasting. Like I’ve said before, air compressors have a lot of features and not all of them are of equal use when it comes to sandblasting.
CFM
If you have ever used an air compressor before, or if you are familiar with how they work, then you no doubt know what CFM refers to and why it is important.
Cubic feet per minute is one of the most difficult important things to keep in mind when evaluating any air compressor. However, it takes on special importance when trying to find an air compressor for sandblasting.
Why is this the case exactly? Well, sandblasting works best when you are using an air compressor with a fairly high CFM output. Air compressors can vary wildly when it comes to this metric.
Some air compressors hover around the 3-5 CFM range. While those are good for some jobs such as nailing, for sandblasting you want an air compressor that has a minimum of around 10 CFM. Ideally, you would find one that goes up to 20 CFM.
Because sandblasting is such a high-intensity job, having an air compressor with a high CFM is crucial.
Nozzle Size
The CFM requirement depends on the diameter of the nozzle orifice. The larger the nozzle hole diameter, the more air volume is needed.
The following chart should give you an idea when selecting the compressor for your sandblaster.
Gas or Electric
Like a lot of power tools, those in the market for an air compressor have to make a choice between whether they go with a gas-powered model or an electric one.
Electric models have their advantages, including cost and convenience (no fumes, no need to buy gas, and lower maintenance costs involved).
However, gas air compressors are generally the better option for portable sandblasting. Gas air compressors are pricier, but they also tend to bring a lot more power to the table. This extra power takes the form of higher CFM, horsepower, and PSI.
Capacity
Sandblasting isn’t generally a quick job. It is similar to painting in the sense that you are probably going to be at it for a while. Because of this, you need an air compressor that has the tank capacity to keep going throughout the entire job.
I personally place a high emphasis on the capacity of an air compressor because I hate having to stop in the middle of sandblasting because the tank can’t keep up with the job. The same goes for painting as well.
Safety Tips
While I doubt that many of you need to be told this, I want to reiterate that when you are using an air compressor for something like sandblasting, that you want to do it in as wide open of an area as possible. Likewise, find a way to quickly get rid of dust shavings before they build-up and cause actual problems.
Conclusion
By using the tips that I have given you in this article, you should be able to easily pick out a really good air compressor that will make sandblasting extremely easy.
Dan Miller is a professional toolmaker with extensive experience in the metalworking and tooling industry.
An avid DIY enthusiast and passionate hobbyist woodworker, Dan shares his expert knowledge here.