Bolt-down necessary for air compressor?

[chazzz]

I am going to get a new stationary, vertical air compressor. Is it necessary for me to bolt down air compressor to the floor?

What about rubber feet?

 

[John in OH]

Yes, definitely bolt it down! Otherwise it will walk all over the place as it starts and runs. And, yes, use some type of shock-absorbing mounting hardware under the compressor's steel feet. Can't tell anything about the size or load capacity of the rubber feet you show, but something like them should do the job.

Also, use a section of high-pressure hose between the discharge of the compressor tank and the fixed shop piping to prevent vibration from passing into the piping. A vibrating tank hard-piped will eventually result in failure of pipe or fittings at or near the tank discharge.

 

[rustyjames]

I have a 5 HP Quincy and never had it bolted down, or isolated with any type of cushion. Never had any problems, but I can't speak for other compressors.

 

[BearsFan315]

i have a 60 gallon, and used rubber feat, made them adjustable.

kobalt scroll down to #35 & #44

 

[dacuda]

i bolted mine to a small palette and never a problem ever..stays put and allows it to vibrate

 

[tV8bird]

Yes, definitely bolt it down! Otherwise it will walk all over the place as it starts and runs. And, yes, use some type of shock-absorbing mounting hardware under the compressor's steel feet. Can't tell anything about the size or load capacity of the rubber feet you show, but something like them should do the job.

This sounds plausible to me, but then why is it that the upright air compressors I've had with wheels don't budge? They don't tip, they don't walk...not heavy-duty or powerful enough to be a problem?

(I'm referring to a 21gal./2.5hp Central Pneumatic [Harbor Freight] and a 30gal/1.7hp Husky [Home Depot].)

Also, use a section of high-pressure hose between the discharge of the compressor tank and the fixed shop piping to prevent vibration from passing into the piping. A vibrating tank hard-piped will eventually result in failure of pipe or fittings at or near the tank discharge.

This is a good idea, probably not one I'd have thought of. Hell, might even save the tank itself.

 

[rburke65]

We'll probably not required, but a good idea....right John? Right!

 

[TTTTTT]

I have an 80 gallon Iron horse with rubber feet. Doesn't move one bit. Very smooth

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[-Brent-]

I have a 5 HP Quincy and never had it bolted down, or isolated with any type of cushion. Never had any problems, but I can't speak for other compressors.

Same. In my compressor's manual (a Quincy Qt-5), the manufacturer recommends keeping it on the pallet. Because my original was so broken down, I built a new, sturdy pallet out of 2x6s. It's never moved a bit.

 

[chain]

I have my 60 gallon vertical with steel feet. I took a foam cushion and cut 3 pieces out, one for each foot and put them under the feet. Helps keep some vibration down and doesn't walk a bit.

 

[coldh2o]

i bolted mine to a small palette and never a problem ever..stays put and allows it to vibrate

I left mine on the pallet it came on, and added casters to the bottom of the pallet. Locking casters, so no problem with it walking/rolling. Added benefit is the height of casters plus pallet makes it easier to access the drain on the bottom of the tank.

 

[sonoronos]

i bolted mine to a small palette and never a problem ever..stays put and allows it to vibrate

I had a 4hp 60 gallon compressor and bolted it to a pallet as well. Ran for years and it stayed put.

 

[TMcCay]

I have a Quincy 5 hp, 60 gallon upright and it is only standing on some stall mat. Never has moved in 6 years!

 

[CrashmanS]

I saw our shop compressor break the welds of a couple of the feet bolted solid to the concrete. We installed the new ones with a rubber cushion and just a steel pin sticking up out of the concrete into the hole in the feet.

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[Worsedog]

I have a cheap Charge-Air Pro that I got really cheap when the genius I purchased it from failed to put oil in it before use.

I figured I'd run it till it died and then replace the pump. Even when it was shrieking loud enough to raise the dead it did not move around one bit. It is still just bolted to the pallet that has a label that says it must be removed from before use.

With some cheap replacement pump on it still doesn't move around.

 

[manwithtools]

I would not worry about bolting to the floor if you have rubber feet (not feat as many have posted).

I would bolt it down if you don't have an isolation system of some type. Most important aspect is a flexible airline for connection to your air lines. You do have an air line arrangement don't you?

 

[braidmeister]

My Ingersoll came with the 'runner package' or whatever with the oil etc (which extended the warranty) and laminated rubber and cork pads to go under the feet. It's bolted into concrete. It's *mighty* top heavy with the 7.5hp motor and compressor block up there (and aftercooler etc).

Leaving it on a pallet eats up some floor space. Unless you're planning to move soon, bolt that puppy down & use the sound deadening/vibration pads.

 

[countryroad82]

While it's recommended, you can get away with just leaving it on a pallet. Just make sure it's level, that is imperative!

 

[rycam]

Being in Southern California we considered earthquakes (seismic restraints), what damage occurs if equipment falls over, and bolted down the vertical 80gal w/ iso mounts that have a failsafe. They work great. We can see the mounts working on startup and shutdown, and transmits less vibration/noise through the floor of the shop.
McMaster-Carr part 64875K9.

 

[D rock]

I left mine bolted to the pallet it came on and then built a "fence" to secure it to the wall, about 2.5 feet high around it, out of 2x6's. That's where I mounted my hose reel and mounted a piece of angle iron to hang my air tools from. The rest of my shop looks like a tornado hit it, but that was a small battle I was going to win...dammit!

 

[vettex2]

sure bolting it down makes it easy to work on.

I have 3 , none are bolted down

 

[engineer2]

If the floor is level and you have a flex line to your air system, rubber feet are fine. You can always mark the floor to see if it does more around. You don't want to stress your piping system.
If you bolt it down, use rubber feet and leave some wiggle room so it can move around a bit from vibration. Never lock the feet down solid.
As said, if you are in an earthquake area, you need to restrain it.

Our two Champions are on rubber feat and they don't move. Heavy, low RPM compressors on a level floor aren't going to walk around much.

 

[ltusler]

Used hockey pucks for feet.

 

[Duker]

Used hockey pucks for feet.

^^^ This... I made a simple tube stand and used hockey pucks. It cut the noise down and doesn't move.







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[Z2V]

^^^^^^^^

 

[chazzz]

Wow, thanks for your advice. I'll go with rubber feet for my vertical compressor.

 

[JIMBOSO]

Chunk of horse stall mat rubber

 

[Farmall450]

Our 80 gallon black max has been on the pallet it shipped on longer than I've been alive. It doesn't go anywhere unless it's by a forklift.

 

[BellyUpFish]

60g vertical here, it's only bolted to the pallet it was delivered on. It goes no where.

 

[braidmeister]

If you have younger ones running around (<16 y/o) make sure they don't pull it over on themselves monkeying around like kids do...

 

[lakeroadster]

Read the instructions

The instructions will also specify if it needs rubber isolators. Some do, some don't, some will, some won't: Your might.

 

[exranger06]

I bolted mine down because you're technically supposed to and I like to do things "by the book." Plus it is very top heavy and I definitely don't want it to ever topple over. Plus, it really isn't difficult at all to do. I put rubber isolation pads under the feet before bolting it down. I used these ones: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BVEMLR4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 They work great.

One word of advice if you do decide to bolt it down: Make sure you leave at least a foot of space all the way around the compressor. Too often I see people shove the compressor up against a wall or in a corner, leaving no access for servicing/repairing it and not enough air circulation around it to keep it cool.

 

[Shadowdog500]

My 5 HP 60 gallon vertical Ingersoll Rand compressor has been sitting on the floor for about 5 years and hasn't moved an inch. Chris

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I would bolt it to the floor, unless you see a need to move it in the near future. At the very least I would bolt it to a small pallet, but then you're increasing it's footprint in the shop.

 

[bdog]

Mine is a 60 gal upgright and has been sitting on the little pallet it was bolted to when I bought it years ago. No problems and it never has moved and it gets used a lot.

 

[Marcm157]

I use my 60 Gallon vertical very often and it is not bolted down. No issues or movement of any type...

 

[DividedAttention]

Chunk of horse stall mat rubber

This is what I've used under my vertical 60gal for 15 years - x3 pieces rough cut about 4" square. Not bolted. Never moves.

 

[Finky198]

Under 60 I think your safe.

Over 80gal esp the vertical one are top heavy and can tip.

It also depends on the shop. You could be working in a big shop with a bunch of employees and its becomes a hazard what if someone bumped into it with equipment, a car ,a forklift, and knocks the whole thing over and it lands on someone or something.

The same goes for the solo guy working out in the shop or in the barn. What if the thing tips over and your the only one out there. I hate to say that but 700-2000lbs machine can easily kill or mame someone. An in a fraction of a second no less.

When we Bought our compressor from TC they had 80gal 7.5hp IR floor model that had some damage to the belt cage and rear motor cover. When I asked about it they said it had fallen off the forklift nearly killed an employee. It was only a few inches off the ground when it tipped sideways luckily the employee saw it happen and moved. It landing on some steel pallet racking at a 45 degree angle..... I saved 25% off their screw up, but it taught me serous lesson don't screw around with heavy sh!t.

And I'm a Tree Guy!!!! Be safe and bolt it down...

 

[My Old Tools]

I have a 5 HP Quincy and never had it bolted down, or isolated with any type of cushion. Never had any problems, but I can't speak for other compressors.

Same for me. My Quincy just sits there and works.

 

[JCQuick]

I have a 60 gal 5hp quincy also. the first 4 years it was in the attached garage bolted to the shipping pallet ( did cut it down for space) it never moved . Now it has been moved to the new shop and is out side so we bolted it down using compressor pads . My old 3.5 hp 20gal sears compressor walks all over the place when running