Air Compressor shed ideas/tips needed.

[DOHC427]

Hello,

I’m having driveways poured this week and started thinking that maybe I should have a small foundation poured for my compressor to put a small shed on the back of my garage. I live in an area where it gets really hot in the summer. It not too cold in the winter.

Anybody have photos or tips for building a compressor shed?

 

[Lucid Moments]

I am curious to see too. I am in the process of building a shop and haven't decided what to do for an air compressor. I am unwilling to put up with the noise of a normal compressor in the shop, but also unwilling to spend the money for a quiet one. Putting it outside is one option I am considering.

 

[Bretny]

Outside is always a quiet option. Also can help keep shop dust/dirt out of the compressor. Heat/cold wont really hurt it.

Having a second form all setup for any extra comcrete is never a bad idea. Make the forum as small as possible yet beable to expand if you have extra.

 

[tboy]

Definitely get a pad poured! I'd love to someday put my compressor out of the garage. I was poking around years ago at shed plans and found this site. Here is a bunch of generator sheds, which might be a good place to start for a compressor shed.

https://www.icreatables.com/sheds/shed-plans-generator

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

A few things I'd consider:

1) Make the shed large enough to allow you to do maintenance on the compressor. Most manufacturers recommend 12"-18" behind the belt guard for proper cooling. 18" is probably as tight as you'd want to allow yourself to get behind it to adjust / replace belts.

2) Ventilation...heat rises, so place ventilation low on one side and high on the other. For starters, depending on compressor size, amount of running time per day, I'd recommend at least two 14"x 18" louvered wall vents although 4 would be better especially if your ambient temp is high.

3) Make provisions for an automatic receiver condensate drain. Being the compressor would be 'out of sight, out of mind' chances are manually draining condensate may be overlooked.

4) Insulate all walls to curb sound transmission.

 

[Falcon67]

4) Insulate all walls to curb sound transmission.

2x4 walls, fiberglass insulation, exterior covered with Quiet Brace if you can get it, then OSB. Will really cut the noise down. Also, a large iron pipe with an air filter for the compressor intake may cut out some noise.

You will also need to plumb a drain from the base of the compressor to outside the shed, to blow down water accumulation.

 

[bullnerd]

The guy I bought my house from had a small shed/car port looking thing built on the back of the small garage.

The floor in the carport was sand. I think he parked a small tractor in it.

He built a shelf for the air compressor on the back of the garage, under the roof. It worked pretty good. It was nice having the compressor up a few feet off the floor. He used some kind of old tire/rubber deal to insulate the shelf from the building so it didn't vibrate the wall too bad inside.

I put my horizontal two stage craftsman compressor on the shelf and it ran there for 25 yrs.

 

[fartymarty]

Before she moved down to central Texas and went big time, April Wilkerson built a small lean-to behind her shop here in Fort Worth for her dust collector and air compressor. As I type this I don't recall if she ever installed the air compressor. The videos might give you a starting direction. Not everything she does is perfect, but she does do things so I'll give her credit for that...I avoid mistakes by sitting here reading this stuff all day when I should be out in the garage..doing stuff. I'm sure others (some few will be macho dudes that need to show up girls, others will no doubt be genuinely trying to help) will chime in with all the stuff she does wrong...but that will help us* along right? (*us, being that I plan on doing the same thing...someday. )

https://wilkerdos.com/2015/10/pouring-a-small-concrete-slab/

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https://wilkerdos.com/2015/11/building-a-lean-to-shed-framing-and-siding/

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https://wilkerdos.com/2015/11/building-a-lean-to-shed-trim-and-insulation/

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https://wilkerdos.com/2015/11/building-a-lean-to-roof-and-double-doors/

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https://wilkerdos.com/2016/03/installing-harbor-freight-dust-collector-outside/

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Good luck and keep us informed.

 

[Gladiator]

You might want to install two disconnects one in the garage and one in the shed. The disconnect in the shed is mandatory, "within sight" the one in the garage you can turn on when you need air. Pressure on most units will go down over time causing unnecessary cycling.

 

[AngularContact]

I’m not sure about what defines an expensive low noise compressor in this case. But a low speed recip located in-shop will likely be cheaper in the long run than a noisy direct drive with a structure built to contain it. With “shed” locations oil needs to be considered. Most compressor oils are formulated with VI indexes assuming “indoor shop temps”. So outside of that you would want to spec an oil with a very high index or install a crankcase heater (could be as simple as a high watt flood lamp on a timer). Just something to consider.

 

[pepi]

You do not need an in closed shed. Do have a roof over it to keep the rain and dew off. Easy to service, belts, oil change and never over heat ..

"Most compressor oils are formulated with VI indexes assuming “indoor shop temps”

.........that's a new one. ^

Mine outside for 15 years, oil is changed in the spring, and that is just for grins and common sense.
Should I be worried, using indoor compressor oil, in my out door compressor?
Guess it be time for it to blow up, no worry have a flack jacket, I'll be fine .

 

[bullnerd]

My craftsman was outside for over 20yrs....never changed the oil once.

It was protected from rain, thats it.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Local manufacturer has little sheds on the back of their buildings. Imagine an outhouse with the door side against the wall. They are hinged on the outside at the base so they can be laid down or even have the pin pulled and moved out of the way. I assume bolts or other retainers are released from inside the buildings.

 

[pepi]

My craftsman was outside for over 20yrs....never changed the oil once.

It was protected from rain, thats it.

To each his own, was just having fun with the "indoor oil thing", not heard that one before. Another internet secret inside scoop to behold.

Pep

 

[1slow62]

I put this together on the cheap. I live in Florida so it rains a lot but is also hot and humid. I didn't want it fully enclosed because of the heat. Found some leftover shingles and tar paper on craigslist for $20. I'm all in for less than $100.

 

[bullnerd]

To each his own, was just having fun with the "indoor oil thing", not heard that one before. Another internet secret inside scoop to behold.

Pep

lol, I was agreeing with you.