Can I stand up my compressor?

[tom86951]

I have a big Craftsman horizontal compressor that is taking up a lot of floor space. Can I make a little stand and stand it upright (the compressor would then be pointing up instead of sitting flat) or will that screw up the oiling or something else?

 

[Steevo]

You can't run a horiz. compressor in a vertical orientation.

 

[Guns R Tools]

Is it oil-less or has oil in it?
If it is oil-less, there is no harm.

 

[tom86951]

Is it oil-less or has oil in it?
If it is oil-less, there is no harm.

Well, I've never put oil in it and I'm not aware of any way to add oil... How would one tell if it has oil?

 

[dwm]

Is it oil-less or has oil in it?
If it is oil-less, there is no harm.

Not exactly no harm; there won't be a reasonable way to drain water from the tank. I'm pretty sure no one in their right mind would want to hassle with bringing it to a horizontal position to drain the tank as regularly as it should be done. Unless it's only used once every several months.

It's also possible that the cooling fan bearings won't like being reoriented. Many axial fans die faster when oriented facing up or down. Many have no problem, but I wouldn't want to just guess.

 

[Provincial]

If you want to keep this compressor, think about making a shelf and mounting it high enough to use the space beneath it. If that won't work for you, sell this compressor and buy a vertical model.

 

[hdshinn]

Well, I've never put oil in it and I'm not aware of any way to add oil... How would one tell if it has oil?

If it's an oiless compressor it makes an obnoxious sound like a hugely loud diaphragm pump running out of control. An oil bath compressor, at least the ones I've seen, has a motor driving a large pulley on the air pump. It's noisy enough itself but not so much as an oiless.

Other than the drainage issue, you could take compressor stuff off the tank and mount it separately in the proper orientation on a sturdy shelf or something then stand the tank up. But I wouldn't mess with it if it were me. Put it outside under cover and run a line inside.

 

[PT Doc]

If it's an oiless compressor it makes an obnoxious sound like a hugely loud diaphragm pump running out of control. An oil bath compressor, at least the ones I've seen, has a motor driving a large pulley on the air pump. It's noisy enough itself but not so much as an oiless.

Other than the drainage issue, you could take compressor stuff off the tank and mount it separately in the proper orientation on a sturdy shelf or something then stand the tank up. But I wouldn't mess with it if it were me. Put it outside under cover and run a line inside.

From my point on view, this iud the only reasonable solution. How much the electrical and plumbing will cost you if another story. Maybe this is the justification you needed for a new compressor.

 

[nelstomlinson]

... think about making a shelf and mounting it high enough to use the space beneath it.

Excellent idea. That will free up more floor space than vertical mounting.

 

[diesel research]

Relocation is easier.

It can be flipped, but requires welding the base plate to the new "top" and possibly having to make other drains/inlets. Since those would have to be welded to the tank, it would be best to have tank re-pressure tested.

In the end, sounds like quite a hassle and should probably be sold/traded for what you want, or relocated.

 

[claymont]

Can you post a pic or two of it?

I have a big Craftsman horizontal compressor that is taking up a lot of floor space. Can I make a little stand and stand it upright (the compressor would then be pointing up instead of sitting flat) or will that screw up the oiling or something else?

 

[crewchief888]

If you want to keep this compressor, think about making a shelf and mounting it high enough to use the space beneath it. If that won't work for you, sell this compressor and buy a vertical model.

something like this...

platform was made from some scrap square tubing, angle iron, and plywood i had laying around, and lag bolted to the wall studs

 

[shopnut]

Some oilless compressors were designed to go either way, like my CH 26gal. There are drains for both positions however.

 

[Nova_Guy]

My first garage was very small. I did the shelf thing above my tiny workbench and it worked out really well. It saved a lot of floor space the compressor took up.

 

[tom86951]

Thanks all -- I just wasn't sure if it made any difference. The drain alone is reason enough to leave it the way it is... much appreciated!

 

[rodm1]

Well, I've never put oil in it and I'm not aware of any way to add oil... How would one tell if it has oil?

Is it @#$@ loud. If it is then its probable oil lease.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

My craftsman is oil less and I have ran it vertical for years, like the other gent posted its designed to be ran either way. Water separator takes care of the other issues, the tank will rust regardless. IMHO. These were cheap compressors, mine was under $300 w/some tools too.

 

[3BayStay]

You can't run a horiz. compressor in a vertical orientation.

In the case of an oilless unit that can still be easily put horizontal daily to drain, are there other reasons you'd include on a 'Why Not To Do It' list? Thanks for any additional advice.

 

[Lucid Moments]

In the case of an oilless unit that can still be easily put horizontal daily to drain, are there other reasons you'd include on a 'Why Not To Do It' list? Thanks for any additional advice.

Dude. Serious zombie thread. Post you quoted is almost ten years old.

 

[Walkers]

Dohhh, and his first post too. Maybe try an Introduction post first. Oh, and welcome aboard.