[LEAKYSEALS951]

You could certainly go to a 3/8 fitting from your current 1/4, but also check your hoses for constrictions as well. For example- a lot of cheaper 3/8 hose will have internal 1/4 choke points. Also look for any swivel connectors in your line, and ditch them. Make sure you don't have any 1/4 cutoff valves in the line. I would even avoid the 3/8 cutoff valves, although you probably wouldn't notice a difference with that.

I would remove any regulator or regulator/moisture collector combo.

I did a lot of measurements of air flow over the summer on my HF sandblaster, and all of the above made a difference in airflow. For example, I would let the compressor build to full pressure, then open the hose, timing how long it took lose pressure. Things like regulators significantly lengthened the time to completely lose air, even if fully opened. The straight water collectors didn't make a big difference. Neither did long hoses, which kind of surprised me. These things come more into play when you get higher cfms, but even at 10cfm, you can probably use every advantage you can get.

I think if you went through the hoses on the cabinet, you might find those are restricted as well, and would potentially "undo" any benefit from 3/8 couplers, and need upgrading. This is important- make sure the internal constrictions in the HF aren't already limited to 1/4.


On my own sandblaster, I did all these tricks and it helped a little, but i still ended up on CL buying a used second (and third) compressor to take me from approximately 6cfm to 11cfm to 23cfms. No replacement for displacement.

-another advantage of getting a second (cheaper/smaller/ used) CL compressor- It will get you up to 15 or so cfm, can run off 120v (since your 240v is already spoken for) and you can turn around and sell it when you are done. No need to go buy another 60 gallon compressor.