[schnitz]

While working at cleaning up in my garage, I got to looking at my present equipment layout. My air compressor (6.5 hp 60 gal. upright) is located in a corner. Currently my two roll-away toolboxes are "parked" to it's right. Next in line is my parts washer. This layout works OK with the exception of the fact that I cannot use the left side of the shelf on one of my roll-aways (it's a fold-up side shelf). My thought now is to move my er to move my parts washer next to the air compressor. The problem lies in the fact that the parts washer has flammable liquid and the electric motor for the air compressor will be within 2.5 feet of the previously mentioned flammable liquids. I don't know for sure if that's anything to seriously worry about or not but sparking from the compressor motor could possibly ignite those liquids or the vapors. Granted when the parts washer is not in use the lid is closed.

My second option/thought would be to build a movable platform to allow me to "re-locate" my parts washer when I'm using it. Space is a maximum, premium, top priority, especially in my garage. I need to get as much use from its 20x22' space as easily as I can.


In a while, Chet.

[OneMoreTime]

Most of my equipment is on rollers or carts for just that reason..so I can arrange things according to what I am doing today..

Sam

[schnitz]

Thanks, Sam. One question down, now for the new one. How is the best way to raise the parts washer without draining all 12 gallons of solvent?


In a while, Chet.

[Rambo_The_Dog]

Can you build a small shed and move the compressor outside?

I've currently got mine inside my shop but only temporarily.

Besides the noise and dust getting into the intake filter there's a big safety factor with getting the compressor out of your work area - ie tank failures.

[schnitz]

Not really in my neighborhood, or on my lot. Wish I could, though.



In a while, Chet.

[66GMC]

I'm STILL waiting to get started on my new (24 x 34) garage ... hopefully Aug.1.

I am planning to build a small partitioned room to enclose my compressor.
It would be insulated, non heated, and sealed from the rest of the shop ... with a small air inlet duct to draw air in from under the eaves. The cooling tower from the compressor outlet would also be inside this "cold room". I'm going to have the contractor set some studs right into the concrete, then mount the compressor on some rubber insulators (hockey pucks?) to absorb some of the vibration as well.

Doing this should eliminate both the noise and the flammability concerns, I'm hoping.

Rambo's "tank failure" comment has got me thinking about some kind of shielding on the interior walls as well ... "puck board" perhaps?

[Rambo_The_Dog]

Originally Posted by 66GMC

I'm STILL waiting to get started on my new (24 x 34) garage ... hopefully Aug.1.

I am planning to build a small partitioned room to enclose my compressor.
It would be insulated, non heated, and sealed from the rest of the shop ... with a small air inlet duct to draw air in from under the eaves. The cooling tower from the compressor outlet would also be inside this "cold room". I'm going to have the contractor set some studs right into the concrete, then mount the compressor on some rubber insulators (hockey pucks?) to absorb some of the vibration as well.

Doing this should eliminate both the noise and the flammability concerns, I'm hoping.

Rambo's "tank failure" comment has got me thinking about some kind of shielding on the interior walls as well ... "puck board" perhaps?

You may also want to install a small temperature controlled exhaust fan to remove the heat created by the compressor running.

The reason I noted the possibility of tank failure is that it just happened to a compressor at my friends bodyshop - the tank finally rusted thru and ruptured.

Luckily, he has it installed outside in a seprate room and no real damage was done - but it made one hel of a mess and loud exploding noise when it blew - I certainly wouldn't want to be working near a compressor when this happened!

[schnitz]

Add me to the list, Rambo. When mine is not in use, I leave the drain on the bottom open. Small sense of security if you will.


In a while, Chet.

[OneMoreTime]

Originally Posted by schnitz

Thanks, Sam. One question down, now for the new one. How is the best way to raise the parts washer without draining all 12 gallons of solvent?


In a while, Chet.

Have you an engine hoist..that and some web straps and anything like that can be lifted..

Sam

[schnitz]

Originally Posted by OneMoreTime

Have you an engine hoist..that and some web straps and anything like that can be lifted..

Sam

In my very worst Chinese accent (and possibly most PC unfriendly posting), I bow down in humble gratitude. You are very wise, Sam. I thank you. I never thought of using my Cherry Picker for that.


In a while, Chet.

[Beenaway2long]

Not to divert the thread, but 66, most of your compressor noise is from the AIR INTAKE. Believe it or not...

[seriousracer]

lol i was thinking about the same kind of post a week ago..
between a lathe, bridgeport and a jig table(1800 pounds) those are the only things not on wheels in the shop. the double stack and everything else is on wheels. just been trying to figure out how to stack the three things that don't move easily...final figured out the mill and lathe in the far back corner and the jig table in front of the stairs just in front of the mill and lathe. the lathe will kind of tuck up under the stairs. other wise all lay out tables and work benches welders,and welding tables, are on wheels. compressor is in the shed..

[Holder350]

Great Compressor discution guys. just my 2 cents but why not fill the parts washer with a non flamable liquid? There are quite a few out there and some even have sents like oranges. which beats the hell out of paint thinner or mineral spirits.

[schnitz]

Originally Posted by Holder350

Great Compressor discution guys. just my 2 cents but why not fill the parts washer with a non flamable liquid? There are quite a few out there and some even have sents like oranges. which beats the hell out of paint thinner or mineral spirits.

I had thought about that, but I've had my 15 gallons of mineral spirits for over a year, and by now, my garage doesn't smell like that at all. Besides, I've found most of the other solvents are either....

A. Not as good as mineral spirits.

B. More caustic than even letter A.

C. Cost even more than letter A.


In a while, Chet.

[Holder350]

Very true....as my parts washer sets empty right now I looked into the non-flamable route but it was like $60 a 2 gal bucket if I'm remembering right.