Sandblasting is one of the most compressed-air-intensive tasks. Choosing the wrong compressor means slow blasting and a machine that runs flat out all day. Here is how to size it.
Flow and Pressure
- Blast nozzles demand large, continuous air flow.
- Most blasting runs at 90–120 PSI (6–8 bar).
- Match the compressor FAD to the nozzle size you plan to use.
Duty Cycle
- Sandblasting is continuous duty, so a fixed-speed screw machine often fits.
- A piston compressor will overheat and fail under this load.
- Choose a machine rated for 100% duty cycle.
Air Quality
- Moisture causes clumping in the blast media.
- Use a dryer and filters to keep the air clean and dry.
How many CFM does sandblasting need?
It depends on the nozzle, but small blasting setups commonly need 10–20 CFM and large ones much more.
Talk to an Engineer
Contact Panrui with your flow, pressure and air quality requirements to get a recommendation and factory quote for your project.