mobile base for vertical air compressor

[Tim Kennedy]

Recently bought a used I/R T30 60 gal. vertical air compressor - [approx. 450#] --original idea was to pour a small raised slab in corner of garage to set it on -- now thinking about a mobile platform. Has anyone on here done this or have any plans for one? Tried trolling the internet but not much luck for what I want so.... going to the experts for advice.

Thanks to all for any info.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Those compressors are so top heavy I would rethink making them mobile as they are hard enough to move without turning over on just a two wheeler.

 

[Spareparts]

Milton is spot-on on being top heavy, we got a flash flood in out shop and the compressor floated and did damage to the plumbing and wiring plus the guard for the belts. Used some 3" sq tubing and 4" flat bar raising it 8" and anchoring it to the floor. This also made it more convenient to drain the moisture out of the tank.

 

[Tim Kennedy]

Milton Shaw: Thanks for the reply -- not thinking of a two wheel cart -- more on idea of a mobile 4 wheel base of an outrigger design where the compressor sits as low as possible with the weight concentrated on the perimeter of the base for stability. I will not be moving this on a regular basis & it would be only a few feet at a time when I do.

 

[Highbeam]

Why do you plan on moving it at all? You seem to have a reason since you know you'll only need a few feet at a time.

The wiring and plumbing can be long enough to allow this amount of movement and a base can certainly be built with casters rated highly enough. The base with wheels can be no more likely to tip than if the base were without wheels. You'll just need to make it so that the outriggers are long enough to place the wheel contact patch outside of the normal base dimension.

These things vibrate and I wouldn't want to worry about it walking away from the wall when I'm not looking. The wiring and plubming would try to stop it but it may also walk over into the side of a car. I'd want to chain it to the wall to prevent this.

 

[justanengineer]

I wouldnt bother with wheels, and indeed wont put them on most things in the shop. This is one of those situations where if you want it mobile it needs to be on a skid and you need a pallet jack. Easy, safe, and cheap.

 

[wrench409]

About outrigger wheels.......

I knew a guy that put them on his Craftsman toolbox when the floor rotted out.

We had to learn to never walk BY his toolbox at work, we had to learn to walk around it!

 

[bad5x8]

I have a 60 gallon vertical Kobalt compressor. For a year or two it sat on the small pallet base in the garage. The wood is rough sawed and put together with rusty nails! My garage is not a show place, but it was ugly, kept dust/dust, hard to move and didn't fit in the corner in between my tool boxes and work bench like I wanted it to.
I built a dolly out of 2x6's doubled up with 2.5 or 3 inch swivel locking casters. Put together with a few screws and lots of lag bolts. Compressor held down with lags as well.
It is plenty stabile enough. The base is a bit smaller than the pallet base. I only move it to clean around it etc, but in a few years when I move, It will help me a whole bunch to wheel it on the moving truck or trailer.
I don't live in earthquake country, so it works for me.
Blake

 

[cudaboy]

I do agree with not putting wheels on the compressor but what I did with mine I took some 4x4 and made a pallet. Now when i need to move it I just grab my pallet jack jack it up, slid it out of the way to do cleaning. As of late i have been making alot of pallets for the shop stuff to make moving them for cleaning easy.
I have to admit the gf was right way back when she said a pallet jack is something I really needed for the shop.


Now the next project is get that dang 80 gallon noise maker set up out of the garage and build a lean to, to house it. another one of many projects. lol

 

[5lima30]

I built a pallet to fit my 60 gal Sanborn. It's not truly "mobile" but I can and have moved it myself with a hand truck. Good luck!

 

[scott67chevelle]

When I built my shop, I used this to move my 80 gallon vertical devilbiss. I can move it around without a problem.
Scott

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I just mounted heavy casters on the feet. The original studs of the casters weren't long enough so I cut them off and welded bolts to them to make them longer studs. They fit great.



Each caster has a brake and when set, this compressor doesn't move anywhere.



Nice thing is that the rubber treads isolate vibration as well. I like being able to roll it out of the spot it's in to clean and also gives me access to the sheet metal behind it.

 

[bigguns69]

I put everything on wheels, bridgeport mill, work benches, saws, cars. Everything is portable and can be moved about the shop. Easy to reconfigure your work space, and if you move, easy to roll into a trailer and down the road. In manufacturing, most everything gets moved often so things are on wheels. This is what I did with my compressor years ago. It works fine and serves multiple purposes.

 

[9GUY9]

I too made a base with casters for mine. Makes moving the heavy beast possible.

 

[aafadca]

I just mounted heavy casters on the feet. The original studs of the casters weren't long enough so I cut them off and welded bolts to them to make them longer studs. They fit great.



Each caster has a brake and when set, this compressor doesn't move anywhere.



Nice thing is that the rubber treads isolate vibration as well. I like being able to roll it out of the spot it's in to clean and also gives me access to the sheet metal behind it.

I did something similar with my new 60 gallon Husky but I had to bolt the casters onto 2x4 blocks because I couldn't find the stem casters. The problem is now...I just bought a 80 gallon 2 stage Charge Air Pro for a heck of a deal!! If I decide to keep it, I'll sell the Husky. But I want to put casters on it if I keep it also, because it really does help to move them around when needed. Where did you buy your stem casters? I've found some online but would prefer to buy from a store if possible..

 

[southalabama]

Be very careful moving them, they are top heavy. Looks like casters seem to work, but I'd still move them very slowly and with extra help around. My luck I'd hit a rock and it would flip.

I'd run pipe in the shop or buy extra hose.

 

[sparky7]

I dont see why you would want to move the compressor.

Your air system should be at least 50 feet long and have seperators and filters to remove moisture from the air anyway, moving the compressor makes no sense in terms of having a good air system.

If you dont want the compressor in the shop you should consider building a compressor shed. Having a good air system that is ready to go at all times and that you do not have to screw around with will make you far more productive in your projects, simply plug in a 25 foot whip hose and get to work.

 

[TheClaw]

I kept mine on the crate it was delivered on and just screwed some casters that I had laying around on the bottom.

It sits on top of the sump well so to service the sump, clean it out for leaves and check for dead squirrels, I need to roll it away pretty frequently.

 

[LXCam]

Gotta hand it to you guys, ya got balls. This idea isn't for me but off all of them, I like the roll cage one, that works and at least adds a little bit of buffer in the event she were to lay over.

 

[TheClaw]

I'll admit it's not the most stable setup. I wouldn't let a toddler climb on it thats for sure. But I move mine on a regular basis to get at the sump. Sometimes I've had to do it in a hurry if the sump was clogged (remember the dead squirrel). I doesn't go anywhere while its on and pumping. It doesn't wiggle out of its spot or anything. The wider you make the caster base the better. you can also put the caster mount higher than the base of the unit like 9Guy9 did. I'd admit that Vegaman Dan's looks iffy but if it works, go with it. Bigguns69 Roll Cage idea is pretty cool. Like the way everything is mounted on it.

 

[Koblog]

I'm going for wheels on my old 6hp Campbell Hausfeld 60-gal. I plan to put 3"x1-1/4" total lock 300-lb capacity polyurethane casters ( http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YHJC97W/?tag=atomicindus08-20 ) under a 28" square 2x6 flat frame, then mount the compressor on top of the 2x6's to allow some outrigging for more stability.

The compressor will be positioned under and inside a 36" deep industrial shelf, so I can secure it to the wall with a strap if necessary.

What I really like is 9guy9's drain mod on his Castair.

That's a great idea to bring the draincock out to the side and then use a ball valve. And going through the leg for support and protection is brilliant.

Great way to drain the tank easily instead of standing on your head and opening the draincock, only to have it blast into a pan.

 

[TheSniper]

here is my solution

https://www.hyperlinks.net/air-compressor-stand-rolling/

 

[ndm]

here is my solution

https://www.hyperlinks.net/air-compressor-stand-rolling/

That is Awesome

 

[Marctrees]

5 gal bucket ( not in photo) sits cradled hooked at top w the elbow "faucet"

1/2" 90 degree drain ball valve hard to see, TSC hyd hose to tank bottom.

5 gal bucket lid has big slot cut - almost all splash is contained but a few drops.

All glued, screwed, 3/4" ply bottom about 3/4 above floor.

5 hp 60 gal HF - 93274

Marc

 

[Marctrees]

I stay away from chinese casters... Post # 30 below.

Marc

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8283753#post8283753

 

[iamrfixit]

Having moved my vertical compressor a couple times there's a few of these pics that make me nervous just looking at them. My 80 gallon two stage has been bolted down since the day I installed it. I could see mounting it on a skid or something but if you need to constantly move the compressor around then buy a portable. These are called stationary compressors for a reason, bolt it down and run some air lines to where you need them.