Air requirements for RO Sanders

[LaborOfLove]

I've used air powered 5" random orbit sanders in the past and I love them. I dont think you get a better result with any other type of sander out there. I want one for my home shop and thus, will also need to upgrade my air compressor. I have shopped around for both and have seen wide variances in the amount of air necessary to operate these sanders. Any explanations of all the numbers involved would be helpful. thanks

 

[oldnamvet]

From what I have seen, the cheaper the sander, the more air needed. This could be due to using a much more simple less-efficient use of the air pressure. I would bet that, given equivalent performance, the more expensive sanders would use less air.

 

[DeltaUnisaw]

Air sanders use the most air consumption of any air powered tool. Get a larger compressor with a bigger tank. The more CFM's the better. They use more electricity to run but your not running them as long as you would with a smaller compressor.

 

[golfdad]

Is a 21 gallon big enough?