Nozzle size selection can be a critical choice, depending on the capability of your air compressor. A Husky 80 Gallon, 2-Stage, 5HP compressor delivers just over 15CFM at 90PSI, and they cost about $1,400. If that's the compressor you're running, then you're going to be limited to about 70PSI and a #2 nozzle with a suction system. You can, however, take advantage of a Pressure Pot - they run extremely well from 30-50PSI, and because they are pressurized, they strip parts about 5-times faster than siphon guns - and your compressor will be able to keep up with the demand without any problem.
If you've got a 20HP screw compressor, you're going to deliver about 85CFM at 100PSI (at a cost of around $5,000). With this setup, you can run a #4 nozzle on a siphon feed, and strip parts over 6 times faster than the #2 nozzle above...and the compressor will support that nozzle selection. If you decide to add a Pressure Pot to this kind of setup, you can bump the pressure to about 50PSI, and strip parts about 30 times faster than the #2 nozzle on the siphon setup above.
The Abrasive consumption in pounds per hour is in the chart because, unlike "open air" blasting where media isn't really reusable, all of that abrasive is recirculated in a cabinet, saving you tons of money! As the abrasive breaks down into dust particles, when the particle is small enough, our integrated Dust Collection removes them from the cabinet. Also, if you run a Pressure Pot, you really don't want to have the pressure above about 50PSI, because any pressure above that can easily obliterate the blast media, turning it to dust almost immediately.
Please see the chart below for air and media consumption rates for different nozzle sizes, and if you need to purchase a compressor, give us a call and we'll be happy to discuss your needs and offer sizing suggestions.
