Replies

1. 
   Brian | Jul 18, 2006 04:56pm | #1

   Every air tool I have ever used has a huge appetite for air - don't skimp on the compressor.  I would look for a bigger spot for a bigger compressor - preferably outside the shop, and get a huge one from an industrial supplier, that will last forever.

   I'm also curious why you would want to use air for sanding - what are the benefits?

    

    

   Treat every person you meet like you will know them the rest of your life - you just might!
1. 
   jimscustomwoodworks | Jul 18, 2006 08:11pm | #4

   reason for air i figured would be a smaller sander, i assumed large cabinet shops used them, i have an order for 30 bookcases & am looking to upgrade to 6" from my current 5".

2. 
   joeh | Jul 18, 2006 05:16pm | #2

   I had a big compressor and air sanders. Big ain't big enuff.

   60 gallon tank would empty with steady use.

   You can find an old one cheap, mine was made in 1950, well used when I got it in the 70s & still chugging when I sold it in 2003. Paid $500 for it, sold it to a friend for $300 but probably could have gotten the $500 back. Put 1 valve in it after about 20 years use, that was it for almost 30 years of use.

   I'd have kept it but for it being 3 phase 440V, wouldn't do me much good out here in the country.

   That little Dewalt will be running full speed trying to run a sander, it won't last long would be my guess.

3. 
   Mooney | Jul 18, 2006 05:29pm | #3

   I dont think you will be happy with air supply unless you buy a huge one like body shops use .

   For wood you wont be happy as air sanders arent agressive. One metal with little restriction they work well and provide high speed. Wood is much slower as you will burn sandpaper at those speeds . I dont remember the rpms of a air sander but they are very fast but low torque.

   I tried it and still have the sanders as I thought it would be somthing that would last for ever but it didnt really work very well. I think you will be disapointed unless you are doubling as body shop.

   One thing I like about the air sanders is the dust gets blown away , POOF.

   Tim  

1. 
   DougU | Jul 19, 2006 03:50am | #5

   Tim

   Every wood shop that I have worked in has used air sanders. And everybody in those shops fought over the air sanders! I'd have one myself if I had the compressor to handle it, mucho better, IMO of course.

   But your right, you better have a big enough compressor to handle it, and that  dewalt that the OP'er is talking about wont run an air sander for very long before he goes looking for a new one.

   Doug

1. 
   Mooney | Jul 19, 2006 04:04am | #6

   What would you do with it and what is it or them?

   My bosch set kicks butt dude being a 5 and 6.

   Ive got a vibrator and DW took it . Ive got an orbital and it sets to spin. Its alright for light stuff but it dont dig in with #60 er nothin.

   Tim

1. 
   DougU | Jul 19, 2006 04:09am | #7

   Tim

   I'd take an air-dyne over all the electric sanders.

   I've used a few and prefer them. I've seen a lot of shops use them, must be something to it.

   Doug

1. 
   Mooney | Jul 19, 2006 04:11am | #8

   76223.8 in reply to 76223.7 

   Tim

   I'd take an air-dyne over all the electric sanders.

   I guess Ive never ran one of them.

   Whats so good about it ?

   Tim

2. 
   DougU | Jul 19, 2006 05:29am | #10

   Tim

   I dont know how to explain it, just like good sex though, BETTER!

   I dont think I've ever seen a decent sized shop without one or four of them though.

   Doug

3. 
   Mooney | Jul 19, 2006 05:36am | #11

   76223.11 in reply to 76223.9 

   Tim

   I dont know how to explain it, just like good sex though, BETTER!

   This is a test for my memory isnt it ?

   Tim

4. 
   DougU | Jul 19, 2006 05:37am | #12

   :)

4. 
   DDay | Jul 19, 2006 04:52am | #9

   Definitely look at the larger machines and go with an industrial company like ingersol rand, rather than something like dewalt, they don't make machines for heavy useage.  You can always for used compressors for very reasonable money, sometimes from wood shops that are closing.  Also, I would put the compressor in some area other than your work area, using as much air as you will, it will drive you nuts.

5. 
   trout | Jul 19, 2006 06:22am | #13

   I can't imagine a 110v compressor of any size keeping up with an air sander.  The rated output of the compressor is best case and rated input of the sanders is not for continuous use.

   There is a good reason most large shops use air powered tools.  They are harder to screw up and last longer than similar electrical tools.  They can also be lighter.

   Instead of investing in a larger compressor to run one air sander you might consider a decent electric 6" sander.  A PC 6" RO is hard to beat.

1. 
   davidmeiland | Jul 19, 2006 07:19am | #14

   The Dynabrade pneumatic RO sanders are hard to beat... much easier to use than the same sized electric sander, a lot more comfortable when doing a lot of sanding, and yeah, they need a major compressor to run them. I had the luxury of using them in a shop that had a large rotary vane compressor and would love to have one myself (and enough air to run it).

   Here's an example: http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com/xq/asp/prodid.45856/TID./qx/product.htm

1. 
   Daisley | Jul 19, 2006 07:43am | #15

   Nice thing about an air sander is that you can't burn it out.  I've had all kinds of electric sanders, and with heavy useage either the motor fries, or the gears and bearings give out.  I've still got the first air sander I ever bought, and its seen a lot of hard use.  Definitely you will want a compressor with adequate capacity.  An added bonus is all the other air tools that you can add, and they are reasonable to buy.