Blaster air consumption

I have a 5.4HP 240Volt single stage air compressor.

It says it can deliver 100 psi @13.3 cfm. The cut in is set at 140, cut out at 175.
It pushes air through a regulator set at 100psi through a 3/8", 50' hose to my 110 Lb blast pot. The nozzle size is 1/4".

I need 80 psi at the nozzle.

The compressor never cuts out and fails to keep 75 psi at the pot.

Would going to a smaller pot be my answer? Does the 110 lb mean that it requires 110psi? Upgrading the compressor is not really an option right now as finances are an issue. This compressor was $1025 and said it would put out 16.5 CFM which should be sufficient.
Thanks

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Bill answers...

Hi, and thanks for the questions.

Nice compressor, and I believe that it can deliver 13.3 CFM at 100 PSI. So what's the problem here?

You can turn up the regulator to 120 or 130 PSI to up the pressure at the pot. Part of the problem is pressure drop. If your compressor was capable of delivering enough air, upping the pressure from the tank through the regulator would handle the pressure drop.

However, I feel the answer is that your blast pot is using more air than the compressor can generate.

"Would going to a smaller pot be my answer?" I think so. You need to get one with a compressed air demand that is lower, so that your compressor can keep up.

"Does the 110 lb mean that it requires 110psi?" Hmmmm. Since I don't know the manufacturer or anything about your sand blasting (at least that's what I think a blast pot is) rig, I can't tell you. If you have a product name on the pot, Google that to see if you can find the manufacturer's website. That will help get info, I'm sure.

"This compressor was $1025 and said it would put out 16.5 CFM which should be sufficient." The key is that it will put out 16.5 CFM at what pressure? All compressors supply more CFM at lower pressures than high. You always have to size the compressor to the flow that it can generate at the pressure you need.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Bill