Casters for AIr Compressor 80 Gallon

majerus · Aug 26, 2013

I have a porter cable c7550 http://tinyurl.com/mf7d87x and am looking to put it on casters. I have a smooth garage floor and sometimes I like to move it around so i can move my boat around or move various things in and out of the garage without damaging the compressor. Will putting a compressor this large on casters hurt it?

mayday0017 · Aug 26, 2013

Welcome to the forum, this topic has came up a few times so I will give you the short run down.

Yes you can put it on casters (make sure to check their rating before using them)

It is top heavy and if while pushing you run into a rock or a hole in the concrete you can have it fall over.

Several of us have put ours on casters and believe the reward of being able to pull out for service or cleaning out weighs the risk. We all agree it is not a good idea to make one "Portable" like this but to rollout afew feet while cleaning or servicing it is very helpful.

A good idea is to buy locking casters so it doesn't move around while vibrating, an alternative would be to tie it to the wall so it doesn't roll all over the place.

Hope this answers your question, and again welcome to the forum.

majerus · Aug 26, 2013

Hey Thanks for the quick reply. I agree moving it for cleaning , maintenance and that sorta thing is exactly what I was looking for. Glad to hear others have done this, I was afraid that it being on wheels would not allow the compressor to function as designed ( to much vibration, not being mounted securely)

G_P · Aug 26, 2013

Locking casters are a must have. Otherwise it will shake, rattle and roll all over the garage!

Sent via carrier pigeon.

mikeyr · Aug 26, 2013

when you do move it around the garage, make sure the wife and kids and pets are NOT in the garage at all. These things are top heavy and its not a matter of IF but WHEN it tips over.

gapfast · Aug 26, 2013

Just bolt skids to the legs, then u can put furniture dollies under it.......NOT!!!!

rsanter · Aug 26, 2013

You can but I would not just put the wheels on the legs of the compressor.
Make a cart that will keep the compressor low to the ground and have a wider base form the wheels
Like mothers have said they are top heavy and can be very tippy

Bob

nine4gmc · Aug 26, 2013

My 60 gal vertical is on casters but in a (no door)closet with a safety strap. I carefully roll it out to drain and sweep, then roll it back in.

theoldwizard1 · Aug 26, 2013

majerus said:
Will putting a compressor this large on casters hurt it?

Only when you hit a crack or a stray flat washer and the whole top heavy compressor falls over. Who knows what else it will take out on it way down !

Ever heard of a guy name Murphy and his Law ?

lynnbilodeau · Aug 26, 2013

Ever heard of a guy name Murphy and his Law ?

In this case, I think Murphy was an optimist. I might consider casters on a horizontal model, and even then would want to widen the footprint before attaching wheels (hmm... apparently wider than in post #6, above). No freakin way would I do it on a vertical. It isn't a question of something can go wrong, only a question of when.

PoorOwner · Aug 26, 2013

Best way is probably use a pallet and use a pallet jack,
or a cherry picker from the top.

I bolted mine down and would not have it other way, it has a lot of vibration.

Falcon67 · Aug 26, 2013

If you do, as above - put it on a big pallet (loss of floor space) or use outriggers. I dropped a 60 Gallon unit and I guarantee when it goes over you can't stop it and it will hurt its self bad when it lands. IMHO, find a parking spot and park it. A small pallet with insulators under the corners would be plenty. As also suggested a small pallet jack could be used to move it.

majerus · Aug 26, 2013

I really hope my compressor does not hit the ground that would ****.

In reality though I was thinking about creating a base for it so that i can slide it into a base that would keep it from moving while running and maybe it strap it to the wall as well. . Also I would probably only move it with two people around , (this thing is my baby)

Vegaman_Dan · Aug 26, 2013

Casters are an easy thing to add.

Leaving it on the pallet and moving it with a pallet jack sounds great in theory- until you have it lurch, hit a pebble or washer, etc, and the whole thing tips over anyways, ripping the boards right off the pallet. These aren't exactly high quality pallets to begin with and are only worth the fasteners used to put them together. If it is going over, it'll take that pallet right with it regardless. You'd need to plant a lot of sandbags on top of that pallet around the feet to really be stable when moved and that's just not practical.

Two people is always the safest method if you have to move it at all.

I have mine on casters, have no issue with being top heavy.

Todd.Brock · Aug 26, 2013

I agree with the top heavy comment. My thought is to get a mobile base. Mine is from Grizzly, about $65 bucks. Not cheap, but infinitely useful. The CofG thing is a concern. My base raises the air compressor about a 1/4" off the ground.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1377567079.294860.jpg

aafadca · Aug 26, 2013

I have my 60 gallon on them now but I just bought an 80 gallon and I'm going to put some heavy duty stem casters on it when I get a chance. The 60 gallon seems pretty stable as I'm rolling it around. They really came in handy when I needed to move it to put the 80 gallon in place

Burgerkong · Aug 26, 2013

gapfast said:
Just bolt skids to the legs, then u can put furniture dollies under it.......NOT!!!!

Was the first picture I thought of, I cried with you when I saw that a while back! :sad:

majerus · Aug 26, 2013

Todd.Brock said:
I agree with the top heavy comment. My thought is to get a mobile base. Mine is from Grizzly, about $65 bucks. Not cheap, but infinitely useful. The CofG thing is a concern. My base raises the air compressor about a 1/4" off the ground.

Do you have a url where I can purchase the base?

Todd.Brock · Aug 27, 2013

Sure, it's http://m.grizzly.com/products/Heavy-Duty-Mobile-Base/D2057A

Hope that helps! Good luck. !

gapfast · Aug 27, 2013

I'm still crying!!

wornoutoldman · Aug 27, 2013

Todd.Brock said:
Sure, it's http://m.grizzly.com/products/Heavy-Duty-Mobile-Base/D2057A

Hope that helps! Good luck. !

Thanks for that link. Good stuff! :thumbup:

MN4x4 · Aug 27, 2013

I made a slightly oversized steel base for my 80 gallon 2-stage Vertical compressor out of 1/4" steel that used to be the support for a block chimney, i.e. it was free. It has locking casters on it, and weighs more than the compressor, so balances the unit nicely. Still, I never push on the compressor, but instead pull the base to move it around.

I have it "permanently" positioned, but equipped with a quick-disconnect so I can move it to clean or to work on it if needed.

James_B · Aug 27, 2013

Todd.Brock said:
I agree with the top heavy comment. My thought is to get a mobile base. Mine is from Grizzly, about $65 bucks. Not cheap, but infinitely useful. The CofG thing is a concern. My base raises the air compressor about a 1/4" off the ground.

For Canadians, the same 700 pound rated Shop Fox base is available at Busy Bee Tools and is currently on special at $74.99.

Todd.Brock · Aug 27, 2013

wornoutoldman said:
Thanks for that link. Good stuff!

I bought it for my bandsaw, but used it for the compressor I bought to fix up. It's a bit fussy getting the machine set up on the base, but once it's on, it works well for a flat even surface. B/c it's so low, it will high center on uneven surfaces.

Old Moparz · Aug 27, 2013

Todd.Brock said:
I agree with the top heavy comment. My thought is to get a mobile base. Mine is from Grizzly, about $65 bucks. Not cheap, but infinitely useful. The CofG thing is a concern. My base raises the air compressor about a 1/4" off the ground.

That's a pretty good idea. :beer:

I have a similar one under my table saw & had bought it at Sears for about the same price. They had a few on the shelf so it's something that most stores will probably have in stock. I had wanted one for years & only got mine about a year ago & don't know how I lived without it in a small area that I have for the table saw. Seems like I am moving this thing several times each month now.

Todd.Brock · Aug 27, 2013

My brother has one on his grizzly table saw that lives in a 2 car garage. It is invaluable for having a nice piece of equipment to use and not take up space.

majerus · Aug 27, 2013

I just bought the Grizzly mobile base. Ill take a pic when I get it in 3 to 5 days.

majerus · Aug 29, 2013

Here is a pic, the thing seems really sturdy.

PoorOwner · Aug 29, 2013

wow you got that really fast, does it have a parking mode where it doesn't roll around?

majerus · Aug 29, 2013

on the front of the mount there our feet that you can twist. which seem to do a good job keeping it from moving.

No Sweat Photos · Aug 29, 2013

I made this one a few years ago for my 80gal Kellogg American. I need it to be able to get the compressor off of my trailer. So I made one out of 3/4 " plywood and some 2x4's laid flat. I used wood screws and gorilla glue to hold the wood together. I used a piece of rope around the casters to pull the bottom at the same time I held the top. Worked great to get it up my driveway and in the garage. :beer:

I

sberry · Aug 29, 2013

I had my primary out a while back, gave it the 19 yr oil change. Its behind the noise sheet and they are both on skids for pallet jack.

equalme · Jun 16, 2014

Ugh..I bought one of these and didn't notice that my 60 gallon is only 3 legged...any ideas on how I could rig it up?

majerus · Oct 30, 2015

Once thing I noticed about using the shopfox over time is the metal flanges where the feet set are starting to bend. Also you cannot drian the compressor as it sits to low.

nadogail · Oct 30, 2015

I feel I must respectfully disagree with those who feel it appropriate to put casters under a large top heavy compressor.

1. Has nobody any concerns for what forces occur when earthquakes happen?
Vertical pressure vessels (air tanks) need to be anchored, just like water heaters.
2. My compressor drain valve has been relocated to the front, as opposed the under the tank where the manufacturer put it. Now the condensate gets drained at least once a day as opposed to annually.
3. I clean under and behind my compressor with a gentle air blast.
4. If wheels are appropriate for your compressor, I am sure the compressor maker would either offer or recommend them.

majerus · Oct 30, 2015

nadogail said:
I feel I must respectfully disagree with those who feel it appropriate to put casters under a large top heavy compressor.

1. Has nobody any concerns for what forces occur when earthquakes happen?
Vertical pressure vessels (air tanks) need to be anchored, just like water heaters.
2. My compressor drain valve has been relocated to the front, as opposed the under the tank where the manufacturer put it. Now the condensate gets drained at least once a day as opposed to annually.
3. I clean under and behind my compressor with a gentle air blast.
4. If wheels are appropriate for your compressor, I am sure the compressor maker would either offer or recommend them.

So the company who makes the shopfox gave me some advise on how to resolve my issue. Which is to cut a piece of wood the size of the hole and put the tool on top of that.

As far are relocating the drain, I think ill do this tonight when I put the compressor onto the wood support. Also regarding tipping, the shopfox has has feet that keep it very stable. Its also tucked into a corner of the garage. Overall I am not concerned about an earthquake , i believe I would have more important things to worry about in that given situation.

BajaScout · Oct 30, 2015

nadogail said:
I feel I must respectfully disagree with those who feel it appropriate to put casters under a large top heavy compressor.

1. Has nobody any concerns for what forces occur when earthquakes happen?
Vertical pressure vessels (air tanks) need to be anchored, just like water heaters.
2. My compressor drain valve has been relocated to the front, as opposed the under the tank where the manufacturer put it. Now the condensate gets drained at least once a day as opposed to annually.
3. I clean under and behind my compressor with a gentle air blast.
4. If wheels are appropriate for your compressor, I am sure the compressor maker would either offer or recommend them.

I strapped my compressor with the same strap they use for water heaters. Being a one man show, being able to move things on my own was the reason I put it on casters. I would add that it almost never gets moved, so it wasn't really all that necessary to be on casters. I can get industrial casters at K-Surplus pretty cheap so it did not cost much.

http://www.ksurplus.com/

Todd.Brock · Oct 30, 2015

Funny that you mention your experience with the mobile base. Mine too, has bent a little bit. Mainly from me swapping it between compressors. I had to keep resizing it so the feet were as close to the corner as possible.

The wood is a good idea.

mike93lx · Oct 30, 2015

When i have needed to move my 60 gal, I have always used a 2 wheel dolley and a ratcheting strap. I would not put something that top heavy up on casters.

csp · Oct 30, 2015

equalme said:
Ugh..I bought one of these and didn't notice that my 60 gallon is only 3 legged...any ideas on how I could rig it up?

Put a piece of steel or 3/4" plywood in first.

Casters for AIr Compressor 80 Gallon

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