The 4 Best Air Compressors for Sandblasting – Reviews 2023

air compressor for sandblasting cabinet, best compressor for sandblasting, sandblasting air compressor requirements

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So why get an air compressor for sandblasting? Well, when it comes time to get some serious abrasive work done, you’re going to want to invest in a sandblaster. Unfortunately, not everyone is totally clear on what they need to keep their tools powered which is where we come in.

Lucky for you, we’ve done the research, dug up some great compressors for sandblasting around, and then we’ll show you how to pick the one you need to make your life a whole lot easier.

Below are our reviews for the 4 best air compressors for sandblasting on the market:

Makita MAC5200 Big Bore 3.0 HP Air Compressor

The Makita MAC5200 makes up for the fact that it’s really only usable with smaller units by being the best compressor in its class and the super quick recovery time. With a powerful 3 horsepower motor it can push a pretty impressive amount of air for such a small unit.

That said, it’s best used for shorter tasks, since the capacity isn’t quite what you’ll need for a larger job. When it comes to power in a portable package for the home hobbyist, however, you’re just not going to be able to beat it.

Powermate Vx PLA4708065 80-Gallon Electric Air Compressor

This stationary compressor from Powermate will take up a good bit of space in your garage but you’ll find it’s fantastic for running mid-sized blast pots and cabinets. With 15A, 4.6 horsepower motor and a top end of 155 PSI (see full specs), it’s more than enough to make sure that you get the job done without having to stop.

The only real issue is that this compressor is a bit top-heavy, so make sure you secure it since it’s a stationary compressor. Once you’ve got it in your home though, be prepare to be amazed by the sheer amount of power it puts out. It’s one of the best air compressors for sandblasting period.

Coleman Powermate Air Compressor

Puma Industries PK-6060V Air Compressor

The Puma Industries PK-6060V is a low cost option for those home hobbyists who are looking to keep things nice and stationary within their garage or workshop. With an impressive 60 gallon capacity, a 3 horsepower engine, and a top PSI of 135, you’ll be able to get some serious work done.

Best of all, it’ll run you a very decent price, which puts it in a class of its own when it comes to power and capacity. Those who are looking to be able to move a whole lot will have to invest in a hose, but for jobs which require less movement this is the ideal compressor for the at-home craftsman.

PUMA PK6060V 3 HP 60 Gal Air Compressor from AirCompressorsDirect.com

DeWalt Two-Stage Cast Iron Industrial Air Compressor

For the professional, there’s really only one option: the best name brand tools around. Most of us know that when you’re looking for a great tool, DeWalt is a go-to brand for everything, and their compressors are no exception. This powerful, two-stage, stationary compressor is perfect in most respects but it’s a bank-breaker for a lot of at home hobbyists.

With a five horsepower engine and delivering 17.9CFM at 100PSI (see full specs), it’s simply one of the best air compressors for sandblasting around and it’s sure not to let you down. It’s a lot of money, but at the end of the day you really will get what you pay for… and, like the saying goes, buy once, cry once.

Dewalt 80 gallon compressor review

Picking Your Air Compressor for Sandblasting

There are a lot of factors which come into play with something as complex as sandblasting and pneumatic power is always complicated at the best of times.

Sandblasting requires both high PSI, a considerable CFM, and a lot of capacity for longer tasks. It really is one of the most intensive tasks on a compressor you can make. If you weren’t familiar then you can tell by the heavy duty compressors that we had to find to meet our specifications.

Keep the following in mind and you’re on the right track.

Motors

You need a powerful motor for any kind of serious sandblasting. Frankly, 3 horsepower is on the lower end of what you’ll find to be acceptable and really you should be pushing at least 5 horsepower in order to make sure that everything is up to the task.

This is the easiest way to rate an engine, but it’s definitely not the only thing you need to check for. You also need a compressor which is going to run for a long time, as most sandblasting jobs aren’t going to be over in just a couple of minutes.

This means that the durability and power of the motor on the compressor you’re looking at should be the absolute top priority.

Capacity

Since sandblasting requires a considerable amount of time in most cases, having a higher capacity will let you work for longer without interruptions.

This is really second only to making sure that you have enough power to keep your tool going in the first place.

Unless you really need a portable unit we recommend a bare minimum of 60 gallons for the task and there’s not really an upper end to what you should be looking at as long as it’s within your budget.

Most stationary compressors will meet the requirements needed for capacity, but don’t just pick a big one without looking at the power of the motor.

Portability

The portability of the compressor isn’t as important as, say, when you’re powering a nailer but specific niche tasks mean that you’ll want a portable model. You probably already know if you fall into this category.

Don’t worry about it if you’re using a pot or a cabinet, at that point you’re just going to want to clear a corner in your home workshop to make sure you can fit the compressor you need.

Conclusion

Sandblasting can be extremely rewarding and it’s one of the best ways to smooth out many types of surface. The only problem is the fact that it requires a fairly specialized power source, but if you think you’re ready then it’s time to find the best air compressor for sandblasting and get to work. You definitely won’t regret any of our picks, and each is suited for the next leg of your projects. Good luck!

  • Founder of Mechanical Caveman, Beau is an unrepentant tool enthusiast and, sporting deadlift-callused hands and an incongruous beer belly, all-around macho guy. When he doesn’t know re tools, he consults with his handyman and car-repairman buds to give you well-reasoned and cutting-edge info.

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One response

  1. Thanks for writing and posting this… it’s exactly the kind of information a newbie needs yet is hard to find, super helpful!

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