Air Compressors/ Sand Blasters

The IR website doesn't give enough detail to fully evaluate the differences between the two models. $500 additonal cost is significant and I suspect there is more to it than just 1.3 cfm. I am going to guess at the following reasons for the higher cost:

1. 80 gal tank instead of 60
2. Larger, slower pump
3. Larger, heavier, higher torque motor (1725 rpm instead of 3450 rpm) - although still 5 hp
4. Magnetic starter included instead of just a pressure switch

As I said, I am only guessing here (except for the tank capacity) but those items could certainly add up to the $500. You might want to ask at the place of purchase what you get for that much more. It's likely more than just the relatively small cfm difference. For practical purposes, I doubt you'd notice the difference of 1.3 cfm delivery for most things. The 80 gal tank would give you a longer time before the terminal pressure drops too low whenever you are using air at a rate exceeding the capacity of the compressor to keep up. Sandblasting and DA sanders are the usual culprits in that situation. I don't even bother with my old 6" DA sander anymore. I use a Porter Cable VS electric RO sander instead. That saves on electricity, if nothing else, and does just as good a job. Why run 24A@230v instead of 3.7A@115v unless you have to? BTW, the IR website lists the 2340L5 model as a 14.7 cfm unit, not 15.5, so you might want to verify the information you have. Even if it's 14.7, I think it'll do most everything you want and you'll be pleased with it. I made do with a 2 hp, 6.3 cfm @90 psig, 20 gal tank compressor for many years.

Rod

The IR T30 design has been around successfully for many years so it's a proven design. B---'s experience with it is testimony to that. I believe all the T30s are rated for 100% continuous duty. I have the 2475N5 T30 model (also 5hp) which is similar except rated for 16.8 cfm @ 175 psig. I am not sure what the difference is between the two models. I think the pistons are smaller in the 2340 pump and it may be running a little faster speed. But I am not positive of that. I do know that the 2475 pump is the same for both the 5 hp and 7.5hp units. It is just run slower when powered with only 5 hp. I've had mine for about 5 or 6 years and am quite pleased with it. That 15.5 cfm @175 will increase a little bit - maybe to 16 or so @ 100 psig. You should have no problem with any spray gun or most tools. It should also handle light sandblasting. Mine does, although I wouldn't want to sandblast an entire tractor chassis with it. It would take too long. Doing things piecemeal however works out well. It does fine with the suction blaster in my cabinet. I don't know what the nozzle size is on that off hand. It also does fine with my pressure pot blaster. That has a 1/8" nozzle and needs about 17 cfm, which I can meet indefinitely. It would not support the next larger size pressure nozzle (3/16") at all - not for long anyway. The 15.5 cfm unit should also run a 1/8" pressure nozzle; perhaps not indefinitely - but it would be close. I find the pressure pot blaster to be much faster than the suction blaster that's in the cabinet for a similar air consumption. I actually modified my cabinet so I can run the pot blaster nozzle inside it. The stiff pressure hose and physically large nozzle limits manipulation in the cabinet, but if the size and configuration of the part permits, the increased speed more than makes up for it.

Rod