From:
"John VanCamp" <jvcstnwrks@zzzzzzzzzzzzz>
Date:
Wed, 6 Oct 2004 12:34:23 -0500
Subject:
Fw: Re: Re: compressors
----- Original Message -----
From: "r putnam" <rputnam@------- >
Quoted text begins. I'm sure someone on this list uses grinders and might offer
you some tips
End of quote.
Hi All,
Thought that I would throw in a few more comments about air
compressors.
The most critical thing to consider when sizing a compressor is
the amount of air it is capable of producing (cubic feet per
minute or CFM) It has to produce enough air to operate the tool
in hand. Pneumatic carving hammers use small amounts of air-
somewhere in the 4 to 6 CFM range, so a smallish compressor will
work fine for these tools. Grinders, sanders, die grinders etc
use considerably more air, some upwards to 15 or 18 CFM, so if
you are planning on using a tool of this nature, a much larger
compressor is needed.
The amount of storage, i.e.. 20 gal tank , 60 gal tank etc, and
horse power is not nearly as important as the size of the
compressor pump. A compressor that can only pump 5 CFM on a
hundred gal tank will only run a 10CFM tool for the few minutes
or less that it takes the storage to draw down, and then the
compressor will not keep up with the load requirement. Much
better to have a 20 or 25 CFM pump on a 20 gal tank since most
of the tools we as carvers use are continuous draw tools, and
CFM is what keeps the tool going. Horse power can also be
deceiving as there are 5 hp compressors that will only produce 8
or 9 CFM while others produce much more.
I have a two stage 5 HP compressor that produces 17 CFM at 150
PSI or around 19 CFM at 90 PSI. This is plenty for my little
shop where at most there might be 2 hammers going at one time
and my biggest draw tools are 12 cfm sanders. If I were a big
production shop with several grinders, polishers , etc going at
once, my machine would be useless.
In conclusion for any of you contemplating going pneumatic
1) determine the air requirements for the tools you anticipate
using, and how many might be running at once to assess your
maximum CFM needs.
2) make sure that the compressor that you purchase will pump
that much air plus a bit more.
3) enjoy using your pneumatic carving tools whether hammers and
chisels or grinders
Happy Carving,
John VanCamp / JVC Stoneworks
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