Unique filter/regulator mounting ideas

[bmwpower]

Ok, before I get flamed with people saying just mount it to a 2x4 on the wall... I'm looking for something a little different. I bought a filter and a regulator to mount on the wall.

The big problem is that where the filter/reg need to go, there is no stud. So I will have to span 2 studs with something. I thought about wood. I thought about metal, maybe 1" square tubing since I have some. I want something stout so when I need to remove the filter housing (requires a mighty twist to remove) I won't rip it off the wall.

To make matters worse, the regulator mounting is offset from the filter - about 7/8" - so I will have to add something to fill the gap.

Anyone have any unique ideas? Is anyone familiar with what they do in industrial settings? I seem to remember some sort of retangular/square metal channel with adjustable mounting positions, but I'm not sure what it's called or if would even work.

Now, if I had a welder, the problem would be solved. Alas, I have to look for something different.

[Uncle Buck]

I think if you use the screws that go into masonry you can simply drill holes to mount whatever you want, wherever you want to mount your bracket; then you can use wood, or steel, or whatever! I do not recall the name, I want to say Tapcon is the brand of masonry screws I last used. I could easily be wrong about the brand but I do remember the screws were blue and had a rather aggresive thread and I seem to recall that they even came with the correct drill for the size of screw. Available at HD and they worked great.

[bmwpower]

I think if you use the screws that go into masonry you can simply drill holes to mount whatever you want, wherever you want to mount your bracket; then you can use wood, or steel, or whatever! I do not recall the name, I want to say Tapcon is the brand of masonry screws I last used. I could easily be wrong about the brand but I do remember the screws were blue and had a rather aggresive thread and I seem to recall that they even came with the correct drill for the size of screw. Available at HD and they worked great.

I'm not drilling into masonry. I'm mounting them on the sheetrocked wall.

[MustangRick]

You may want to look into extruded aluminum. Atleast, I think that is what it is, it is square or rectangular and has slots up and down the sides for tbolts. If you watched the old robot wars, they used it quite a bit in there for all sorts of stuff.

[boiler7904]

Unistrut (http://www.unistrut.com/) or an equal seems to be the industrial answer I always see.

How about a piece of diamond plate aluminum bent to the shape you need including the 7/8" offset?

[bmwpower]

Unistrut (http://www.unistrut.com/) or an equal seems to be the industrial answer I always see.

How about a piece of diamond plate aluminum bent to the shape you need including the 7/8" offset?

A-ha. That's the stuff I was thinking about. Not quite sure how I would use it. If there was no offset, it would probably be easy.

[boiler7904]

Between the different sizes of strut available, the fittings, and some threaded rod, I'm sure there is a fairly simple way to make the offset.

The hardest part will be trying to find a local dealer that has the parts you actually want.

[bmwpower]

Between the different sizes of strut available, the fittings, and some threaded rod, I'm sure there is a fairly simple way to make the offset.

The hardest part will be trying to find a local dealer that has the parts you actually want.

Looks like there are other brands. Grainger and MSC has "Superstrut" by Thomas & Betts. Grainger is close to me.

I wonder if Home Depot has this kinda stuff?

[wilbilt]

I have seen lengths of Unistrut at my local HD. It seems it was in the aisle with the EMT. I don't know if they have all of the different fittings, though.

I know there are about 9000 different kinds of clamps and adaptors made to fit the stuff. I'm sure something is available to suit your needs.

[boiler7904]

I'm pretty sure they do - I could be wrong but I want to say I saw it in the electrical department since it's used a lot for installing fixtures and panels. You'll definitely have a smaller selection of parts than at the other two places unless HD special orders. They also may only carry the green painted version - it also comes in a galvanized or stainless version.

[markb1]

Unistrut and kindorf are brand names, commonly used in the electrical trade for conduit racks (suspended from ceiling with all thread) and just general purpose use. It's very versital because they sell all kinds of brackets,for different mounting applications, kind of like an industrial erector-set.

Anyway check your local electrical warehouse.

Some common configurations her
http://www.tnb.com/contractor/docs/kindorf.pdf

Most common sizes are 7/8" deep u shaped channel and 1-5/8" deep with holes or slots in the back.

1/4" or 3/8" nuts with a spring in the back that holds it in the channel for mounting panel boards or anything that could be bolted to it. Pipe clamps in all sizes for conduit.

Cut short pieces of 7/8s and mount to wall and attach conduit (holds conduit off of wall, great for multiple runs of pipe.

[boiler7904]

Another product I just remembered is 80/20 extruded aluminum components (http://www.8020.net/).

[bmwpower]

I have seen lengths of Unistrut at my local HD. It seems it was in the aisle with the EMT. I don't know if they have all of the different fittings, though.

I know there are about 9000 different kinds of clamps and adaptors made to fit the stuff. I'm sure something is available to suit your needs.

You are correct...I just got back from HD and they had the channel and the pieces needed to attach stuff. The only problem is they're out of the 14ga channel, so I may come back this week to give this a shot.

[bmwpower]

Well, I bagged the "unistrut" mounting idea...lol...used a 2x4 instead. It was just going to be too hard to mount the regular with its offset mount.

Now I just need to get a host to go between the compressor and this setup.

[wilbilt]

Tractor Supply is your friend for hose assemblies.