What changes on a blast job
| Metric | Reciprocating (piston) | Rotary screw |
|---|---|---|
| Duty cycle | Needs cool-down | 100% continuous |
| CFM | Pulses | Steady |
| Oil carry-over | Often high | Lower with separators |
| Noise | Very loud | Enclosed, lower |
| Fit for blasting | Spot jobs only | Production blasting |
BLAST APEX does not manufacture compressors. One live compressor page: Boss CK 10-50 and XL 60-175. Pair with an ASME receiver. Size CFM to the nozzle with /guides/cfm-table.
A piston machine cools down. A blast nozzle does not. After twenty minutes the CFM sags, nozzle PSI falls, and cleaning slows while media still pours. Screw machines hold 100% duty. Oil carry-over is lower with proper separators, which matters because oil in the pot clumps slag. Noise is lower in an enclosed screw package, which sites actually notice.
Worked size: 8 mm nozzle at 100 PSI wants about 161 CFM at the tip. Quote an XLPM-60 class Boss screw plus a receiver, not a large piston with a big tank number. Chart: /guides/cfm-table.