I'm trying to figure out where to place an air compressor in my newly built shop. I'll add that I haven't purchased one yet, so I'm pretty flexible on style/size, but I'll post my desires/uses are and maybe I can get feedback on that as well. The shop is a 26'w x 32'd with 12' sidewalls and then 26' of the depth is vaulted due to my 4 post lift. I currently have an old 20?gallon craftsman single stage 110v compressor that is on it's last legs. I also have other various smaller ones, like pancake, hotdog, etc. I work on my own cars and to be honest the old craftsman has served me well over the years, but it can't keep up with larger tasks which I occasionally tackle. DA work, any sandblasting and running a spray gun are what I've noticed. I don't do those often, but I do have a 1960 C10 Suburban, which I need to do some sheet metal work on and will likely some day have it painted. I doubt I'll lay the paint, but I'll likely do the primer and such if I decide to pull it out of patina stage. I also have plans for a rat rod out of an old mail jeep, otherwise it'll just be typical woodworking, airing up tires, etc. I guess impact gun I had to wait, but I've been using dewalt battery unit lately, so not much need there I guess.
I have been thinking I'd get an upright 60gallon Upright 2stage 220v unit, but my Father-In-Law says he has a 220v horizontal unit I can have. I have briefly laid eyes on it, but it was a bit buried in a shed. I'd say it is probably 30-40 gallon unit. Don't believe it was 2 stage as I didn't get a great look and I think it can be wired 110v or 220v. I know that's not a lot, but it's been in there for years and was behind lots of stuff which is why I don't have it yet.
I'm guessing the 2 stage isn't a deal breaker if I go with the freebie, but if I buy new, that's what I'm leaning towards because I think I need it.
Maybe with a larger tank I'd get by with whatever as it's really just hobby stuff.
Now comes the fun part where do I put this? I really don't want to take up floor space as the lift already does enough of that. Then once I get workbenches, tool boxes, cars, toys, etc....floor space is a precious commodity. I have a loft above the overhead door. I'll try to link 2 pics of this space and I put a Blue X where I'm considering putting a compressor if I go up there, but I wonder if that is a bad idea or a great idea? It seems those large 2 stage uprights are about 400-500lbs so getting it up there will be interesting but alas I have the lift. Bad part is lift only goes up to about 7-8' to top of ramp. It's about 11' to the floor of the loft. So, I'd have to get creative getting it from lift to loft. The bottom chords on the attic trusses are 2x10s spaced 2' on center and I have 3/4" OSB down for the floor up there. Would that support a compressor? If I go vertical I'd have to place towards the center of the loft, which has about 7'-8' of headroom. The knee wall part is about 4' and if I go horizontal compressor that's where I'd likely go. Any thoughts on this? Should I beef up the floor?
If I don't go up there, my next thought is to build a bump out off the garage outside where I had a concrete slab poured in the 3' space between my building and the neighboring fence. I could build a compressor building, but I worry about needing to vent it, keep it cool in 110*+ summer days and warm on -10*+ winter days. Yes, we get that much of temp swings. Outside in it's own enclosure is enticing as it'd be much quieter for me and I wouldn't have to go 11' up in the air with a 500lb compressor.
To get air to the garage the plan is likely to use black pipe (unless galvanized is fine), I've even considered pex or copper. Not sure the pex is really rated for that and it'll be exposed and don't want to really look at pex....needs to look presentable. I then plan to wrap the pipe around the perimeter of the garage and have risers or drop downs (depending where compressor is located) to feed various spots in the garage.
I have been thinking I'd get an upright 60gallon Upright 2stage 220v unit, but my Father-In-Law says he has a 220v horizontal unit I can have. I have briefly laid eyes on it, but it was a bit buried in a shed. I'd say it is probably 30-40 gallon unit. Don't believe it was 2 stage as I didn't get a great look and I think it can be wired 110v or 220v. I know that's not a lot, but it's been in there for years and was behind lots of stuff which is why I don't have it yet.
I'm guessing the 2 stage isn't a deal breaker if I go with the freebie, but if I buy new, that's what I'm leaning towards because I think I need it.
Maybe with a larger tank I'd get by with whatever as it's really just hobby stuff. Now comes the fun part where do I put this? I really don't want to take up floor space as the lift already does enough of that. Then once I get workbenches, tool boxes, cars, toys, etc....floor space is a precious commodity. I have a loft above the overhead door. I'll try to link 2 pics of this space and I put a Blue X where I'm considering putting a compressor if I go up there, but I wonder if that is a bad idea or a great idea? It seems those large 2 stage uprights are about 400-500lbs so getting it up there will be interesting but alas I have the lift. Bad part is lift only goes up to about 7-8' to top of ramp. It's about 11' to the floor of the loft. So, I'd have to get creative getting it from lift to loft. The bottom chords on the attic trusses are 2x10s spaced 2' on center and I have 3/4" OSB down for the floor up there. Would that support a compressor? If I go vertical I'd have to place towards the center of the loft, which has about 7'-8' of headroom. The knee wall part is about 4' and if I go horizontal compressor that's where I'd likely go. Any thoughts on this? Should I beef up the floor?
If I don't go up there, my next thought is to build a bump out off the garage outside where I had a concrete slab poured in the 3' space between my building and the neighboring fence. I could build a compressor building, but I worry about needing to vent it, keep it cool in 110*+ summer days and warm on -10*+ winter days. Yes, we get that much of temp swings. Outside in it's own enclosure is enticing as it'd be much quieter for me and I wouldn't have to go 11' up in the air with a 500lb compressor.
To get air to the garage the plan is likely to use black pipe (unless galvanized is fine), I've even considered pex or copper. Not sure the pex is really rated for that and it'll be exposed and don't want to really look at pex....needs to look presentable. I then plan to wrap the pipe around the perimeter of the garage and have risers or drop downs (depending where compressor is located) to feed various spots in the garage.
