Mounting Compressor in "loft" area of shop?

[misterfixit]

Just had a thought while I was trying to finish my layout plan for the shop I'm building. I'm trying to save as much floorspace as I can. Shop is 30x40 metal building, concrete floor, 12' walls. I plan on framing a couple of rooms on one end for a machine shop area to separate the woodworking and the metalworking tools and areas. Those rooms will have 8' walls. Above those rooms with be a 'storage' area, in the center I will have about 7' of headroom. Would I be completely mental to put my 80gal air compressor in the center of the loft area upstairs to clear up some floor space below?

Still running this through my head, anyone ever done this? or seen this done? Input is appreciated.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I wouldn't put it in the center of the loft but at wall, if the floor can handle the weight of the compressor.

 

[karoc]

I haven't done that type of setup, but I also visualize it vibrating like crazy. I think the wood flooring and framing will echo when its running. But maybe do a temporary setup without the piping and plug it in.

 

[rburke65]

Don’t really think you’ll get a echo from wood.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

When I taught at a Vo-Tech we had our compressor in the loft above the bathrooms in the classroom. Keep in mind that this was a cinder block constructed school. It may require more than wood framing.

 

[PhantomEB]

I like the idea but I question that much weight over my head without some engineering behind it.

Both me and my brother have 9’+ ceilings. One thing he did in his was welded up a steel frame to slide a 40 gallon drum into for his pressure washer. Compressor sits on top of this frame and is also strapped to the wall as an extra precaution.

 

[Quick240]

If vibration and/or heat is a concern, could you just put the tank up there, and keep the pump/motor on the main floor?

 

[astroracer]

Will you have stairs leading up to the loft? Lots of "wasted space" under the stairs to put a compressor.
Mark

 

[jack stand]

I did what you want to except against the wall for simplifying the wiring and plumbing not to mention having the compressor boogering up the middle of good storage space. No problems and the floor load is nill in this location with virtually no span consideration.

 

[tulowd]

I would get it away from the work area for sure noise wise. Maybe enclose it and vent it to the outside along with your dust collector and vacuum cleaner, run iron or steel pipe for the air with plenty of drops and water traps/drains. Make sure you have easy or remote access so you can drain the tank easily.

And yes, it will vibrate and it's heavy, so gotta be sure to overbuild it. As far as stairs go, you could do a swing down stair case or ladder affair so it doesn't take up needless floor space.

 

[Augus7us]

I have the same size building as you. I built 4 rooms that sit in a 10'x30' footprint across the back of the 30' wall.

My neighbor kept saying I should put my compressor up top but the more I thought about it the more I said bad idea. Too many drawbacks for me. Rattling, getting it up there (700lbs), noise and replacing or selling it. The deal breaker for me was insulating my ceiling. I didn't want to jury rig a taller ceiling up there, I already bought ceiling panels.

In the end I built a compressor closet/attic access to my mezzanine that is about 9'x3' with a door.

 

[pmiranda]

Seems like a PITA to get it up there, and back down again if you ever need to replace it.

 

[TractorJeff]

Skid Steer will lift it up for you!
In my building the Heater hangs down in the Corner, Directly underneath that is a 30 gallon Compressor, underneath that is the Parts Washer Tank. I built the Framework out of 2x6's and 2 layers of 1/2" OSB. It doesn't vibrate much. I believe it is quieter than in the old Shop where it was on 3/4" plywood.

 

[Mr.N]

Seems like a PITA to get it up there, and back down again if you ever need to replace it.

That sounds like a reason to get out of work... not a good reason to not do it...


I got a 2 stage 2 hp HD 40 gallon compressor from a local house built in 45. (Compressor was newer, but older than 1978 per the owner). It was in the attic and home owner never knew it was there, just wanted it gone (1999). Ran like a champ.

 

[marinusdees]

Friend did it, zero problems. He's since (20 years later) replaced it with a floor mounted compressor, just an upgrade, no problems.

 

[MushCreek]

When I had my own shop, I had the compressor on the loft over the office. That lasted about two days, and I put it on a cantilever shelf hung on the wall. The noise and vibration in the office was too much. I plumbed a drain down to floor level so I could drain the condensation every night.

 

[Dureault_s]

Mounting Compressor in "loft" area of shop?

I gotta 120 gallon compressor in the loft corner it’s fine on 2x6 floor, underneath is open not a office it’s noisy but I didn’t sound proof loft either. Plum a line down to drain is a must. Service up there once a year and I forklift it in and dollied it into place. With 12’ ceilings and 8’ office not much room for stand up compressor I have 14’ with 8’ clearance under loft. Couldn’t put standup compressor in remaining 5 1/2 feet


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[59 wagon man]

put it outside with a little leanto type shed attached to the garage outside. less noise,vibration . had mine hung on a shelf and you heard it all over. it is now in a rubbermaid shed bolted to my garage and you can barely hear it and certainly dont feel it

 

[Swanny1953]

I did just what OP is asking about. It's loud when running, but not overly obnoxious, but then I didn't try to isolate it for noise, etc. I just wanted it out of the garage space.

 

[My Old Tools]

You can put vibration pads under the feet if that is a problem. I did that on my RPC and it killed the noise from vibration pretty effectively. It's overhead in my loft. Compressor doesn't run often or long for most people. If your blasting or running a lot of air tools it will run more, but will probably be quieter up there than sitting on the floor next to you.

 

[kylefitz]

The previous owner built a 13 x 30 loft in the front corner of my 40 x 70 pole barn. There’s an 80 gallon standup compressor in the loft, directly above my built-in workbench. When it’s running it’s fairly noisy but not crazy and I’m glad it’s up in the loft.

There’s 3 things to considering your situation.

1. How are you going to get it up there? In my situation the owner built an old forklift mast into the loft and there’s an 8 x 12 section of the floor that can be raised and lowered electrically. Obviously that’s not practical for most people.

2. how are you going to control the compressor?Initially I just turned it on and off with the circuit breaker. Currently I have a light switch mounted above the workbench that’s in series with the motor contactor circuit. Much more convenient.

3. Tank drain. Preferably Some thing automatic, and piped outside, would be ideal in my opinion. Of course mine is neither and in the two years I’ve lived here I haven’t drained it yet. Probably not the best long-term solution.

 

[ford33]

How are you going to maintain the compressor? Change oil, filter, belts, drain the tank, replace pressure switches, hoses and the rubber feet when they go bad? Then the attic will provide hot air being into the intake which may cause issues with increased water in the air lines. I would not hide a piece of machinery in an dark, hot attic.