Installing a compressor on a floor with pex tubing

[BE58P]

Normally, one drills fasteners into the floor to secure the compressor. With my luck I would hit the pex tubing in the floor and ruin my future heating system (no boiler yet.)

Anybody else have this situation and come up with a workable solution?

The new compressor will be (probably) a 5hp two stage 80 gal upright.

 

[Wrench97]

I have not bolted 1 down yet usually just attach the legs to blocks of P/T 2x6"

 

[sberry]

I have wood frame I can get a pallet jack under and 1 sheet metal clip to the floor with a short tapcon.

 

[allinon72]

Commercial environment 200gal vertical compressors - we install them on rubber foot pads, 50+ in total, and never have an issue.

 

[mike93lx]

Commercial environment 200gal vertical compressors - we install them on rubber foot pads, 50+ in total, and never have an issue.

To be fair, a home 60/80 gal is way more top heavy than your commercial monsters

 

[nh_yota]

Bolt it to some PT boards for stability and call it a day.

 

[larry_g]

Normally, one drills fasteners into the floor to secure the compressor. With my luck I would hit the pex tubing in the floor and ruin my future heating system (no boiler yet.)

I wouldn't say that is normal at all. Most compressors are free standing bolted to a pallet or have rubber feet. If you find the compressor is walking then run a strap around it and fasten it to the wall.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[sberry]

Yup, done that too. My pressure washer wanted to creep around, I made a bracket to bolt to a footing.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Also left my Husky 60 gallon on the small pallet it came on, no issues with movement and it's been several years.

 

[Lucid Moments]

My 60 gallon has rubber feet under it and no issues.

 

[AA/FC]

Also left my Husky 60 gallon on the small pallet it came on, no issues with movement.

I did the same thing. No problems.

 

[seber]

Bolting to a pallet is a nice way to go. Isolated from the floor it will make less noise in the low frequency range.

 

[PatY]

Also left my Husky 60 gallon on the small pallet it came on, no issues with movement.

This is how I left mine and 10 years later I've had no issues at all.

 

[BE58P]

Thanks for the replies! Good advice. Now to order one and see if it comes on a pallet. If so, I will try leaving it on the pallet and then go from there.

 

[ZRX61]

Seismic area here. I wouldn't want a 400lb compressor thrown across the garage so it's bolted down.

 

[RTM]

Was thinking the same thing, zone 4 here, imagine you are the same.

I’m not excited about the idea of a vertical tank without major hold downs. Some day I will get something more than a pancake.

 

[sweetk30]

i have 3 big IR units in my shop now and not 1 has been bolted to my floors and moved at all . there all setting on rubber pads i cut from old conveyor belt rubber i got from the scrap pile at my buddys work .

 

[sparky 1971]

I bought a 60 gallon floor model so it didn't have the pallet. I bought a 2X4 sheet of treated 3/4 plywood and cut it in half. Screwed and glue the two sheets together to make a 2'X2'X1-1/2" base then lagged the compressor to it. Hasn't moved an inch.

 

[foghorn1966]

I have a 60 gal Eagle Pump & Comp Model that has been on it's receiving pallet for 25+ years, never moves.

 

[astroracer]

7.5 hp, 2 stage, 80 gal vertical.

I put it on 5" rubber casters. It's been like that since 2001.... i can get pics of the casters if you want...
I just "rolled it out" so I can build a cooler for the output air before it goes into the tank.
Mark

 

[racerboy]

7.5 hp, 2 stage, 80 gal vertical.

I put it on 5" rubber casters. It's been like that since 2001.... i can get pics of the casters if you want...
I just "rolled it out" so I can build a cooler for the output air before it goes into the tank.
Mark

Hi Mark
I’d like to see the casters you used. Might want to add casters to my 60 gal upright (once I get it running again)

Frank


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[Spencer Was Here]

I bolted mine down to two sections of 4x4. When standing in front of the compressor, the 4x4's are on the right and left sides, running from front to back.

This leaves the center of the bottom of the compressor open, and more importantly, elevated, to make accessing the drain valve easier.

One would think that having the drain valve easier to access would result in me draining it more often, but...

 

[vanapplebomb]

Just be aware, some companies will not warranty compressors not bolted to the floor, and any compressor run on the shipping palette automatically voids the manufacturers warranty.

Just something to think about for new compressors.

 

[ovilla]

My 80 gallon just sits on top of hockey pucks now and has never moved from its corner. After you drill the appropriate sized hole for your bolts, use a forstner bit to so you can recess your bolt heads.

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[astroracer]

Just be aware, some companies will not warranty compressors not bolted to the floor, and any compressor run on the shipping palette automatically voids the manufacturers warranty.

Just something to think about for new compressors.

Not to worry, no warranty on this old dude. My compressor was built sometime before 1994, I bought it used in 2005 and it has been going strong ever since. It is on 24/7 and is well taken care of.
Mark
I didn't get out to the shop today but the casters I used were 5" rubber casters (the stinky ones) from Harbor Freight. I tack welded them to the feet. I'll get pics sooner or later and put them up.

 

[foghorn1966]

Just be aware, some companies will not warranty compressors not bolted to the floor, and any compressor run on the shipping palette automatically voids the manufacturers warranty.

Just something to think about for new compressors.

I have helped or changed out myself 4 receivers with cracked tanks at the mounting feet,
Each one of them small oilfield installations, bolted to the floor. Isolation mounts are a must. The hockey pucks are a great idea, the shipping pallet in your home shop does the same thing.

 

[jptbay]

Hockey pucks with carriage bolts. Self counter-sinking when tightened. Good for 20 years now and 2 shops. 60 gallon upright.

 

[Lucid Moments]

My 80 gallon just sits on top of hockey pucks now and has never moved from its corner. After you drill the appropriate sized hole for your bolts, use a forstner bit to so you can recess your bolt heads.

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I was going to do this, but I live in Georgia and couldn't find anywhere local that had hockey pucks and Homeless Despot did have their rubber isolators so I did that instead.

 

[dnschmidt]

OK, I'll admit it. I do like the hockey pucks. That's pretty dope.

 

[vanapplebomb]

I have helped or changed out myself 4 receivers with cracked tanks at the mounting feet,
Each one of them small oilfield installations, bolted to the floor. Isolation mounts are a must. The hockey pucks are a great idea, the shipping pallet in your home shop does the same thing.

I agree that isolation mounts are essential. Most compressor manufacturers recommend the use of them and sell them. They are square pads made from rag cloth rubber with a hole in the middle. The material is much like old steering gear couplers in cars. The rubber cussions vibration while the molded in woven fabric keeps the rubber from breaking apart with vibration, compression, and age. The hole in the middle is a pass-thru for concert anchors or lag screws.

All I am saying, for viewers with new compressors, read the warranty carefully. Some companies will not warranty a new compressor if run on a pallet, or not bolted down. Sure running on a pallet works, but if you buy a lemon and it takes a dump on you, they can refuse warranty or service on it. Take it for what you will.

 

[finn]

Y IR is on hockey pucks, but my Champion is just on its steel feet. Neither walks. Both are 80 gallon compressors.

You can locate your pex tubes with an inexpensive IR camera attachment for your iPhone or Android phone.. Fleur and Seek are the two brands I am familiar with.