Thread: External compressor enclosure

Hi all,

In another post about air compressors it was mentioned about housing your compressor in an external enclosure. Instead of hijacking Steve's thread, I thought I'd start a new thread requesting pics and ideas for such a setup.

Including the type of plumbing used, inbuilt moisture traps and any soundproofing added to keep the neighbours happy.

So come on, show me your compressor shed!

I'm keen for some ideas.

Simon

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Cant remember where I read about it, so not claiming it as my own idea. Enclosure off a "silenced" generator. Everything is already there.

Not too fussed here at the shop, on 6 acres. Surrounded by noisy neighbors, so all good.

Had thoughts about making something with offcuts of cool room panelling, but it hasn't gone any further than that.

I built my compressor enclosure in 2011 and it's in my Shed fit out thread in the woodies forum here.
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f245/.../8#post1378982
Back then it had a Bunnings Special $199 2.5HP compressor in it.

Since then I upgraded to a 4HP Clisby and have spent hours mucking about with humidity control, see;
https://metalworkforums.com/f309/t20...compressed-air

I've also installed a 3 point auto water venting system - also in the woodies forum here
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f271/...-system-227856

Been down to two comps (2 x 12 cfm) since my direct drive went up in smoke. I like to run a little one to have general air around.

DSC07318.jpg

There out in a little shed extension I built years ago.

I use 1/2" nylon line with none return valves fitted to my porcupine collector.

DSC06949 e.jpg

Looks ugly but I hydro tested to 400 psi with no leaks.

With each comp I run small line off the drain bung to a ball valve inside so I don`t have to go out to drain them. The gauges let me know what comp is doing what.

DSC07347.jpg

I run two separate air lines at each of the three stations around the garage. Yellow with filter regulators for straight air. Blue with filter-regulator-oiler for air tools. Nothing worse than doing a bit of spray painting and oil left in the lines coming through.

DSC06307 e.jpg

From the collector I ran two 1/2" nylon lines half way up the garage. These run through another water separator before being split off to the sandblaster and the other outlets.
Had some 100mm gauges so I got a bit carried away. Shows pressure for each regulator outlet and mainline pressure.
Next to the fab area.
DSC08055 e.jpg

Between the drill presses

DSC07349.jpg

There is another line running to the hydraulic press.

It`s over the top but what else do you do with boxes of stuff I have picked up over the years.

Tony

My poor old compressor sits under the back stairs exposed to the elements.DSCN0844.jpg

Hi Bob,

I just re-read the majority of those threads. They have jogged my memory as I remember when you posted those threads. Wow, alot of detail and effort (as usual) went into those projects.

Funny you mention your Clisby. I recently (last week) swapped a perfectly good Total Tools belt drive compressor (with a Fini compressor) for an older Clisby V twin series 12 (12 cfm) compressor. It was one of the guys at work and he wanted a smaller compressor, as in a smaller receiver so we swapped. The Clisby is much older than what i had but Clisby are still in business. I rang them and they still sell parts and rebuild kits for this compressor.

Interestingly, we had both compressors side by side and the clisby still got up to pressure quicker than the one I swapped, even with the bigger receiver.

Tony,

Thanks for the post. Thats alot of "air stuff" you got going on! But like you said, you have it sitting around so why not use it! Impressive none the less.

Snapey, I'm thinking that if you put that compressor in an enclosure now, it will most likely kill it with kindness!

Cheers

Simon

A few things I would do different if I did them again,

Make the enclosure larger than you think - any spare space can be used to store extra crap like compressor and other oils etc
Use plastic pressure pipe.
Use 1/2" hose from the start
Use quality 1/2" hose fittings from the start

We did this at the mens shed and its been really worth it.

Hi Bob,

The exact size of this proposed shed is yet to be determined but I want it to be a walk in shed with room for the compressor but also a future parts washer and small sand blasting cabinet. Perhaps also some small shelving to store cleaning products and paint.

It doesn't need to be luxurious in size, maybe 4m L x 1.8 Wx 2 H as a rough size. I probably won't even put a door on it.

I guess the equivalent to an outdoor laundry for a shed!

Simon



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Originally Posted by simonl

. . . . I probably won't even put a door on it. . . .

I then take it noise and ventilation are not issues?

Hi Bob,

Well they are sort of. I live on 1-1/4 acres so while it's not close to the neighbours house it's still not 100's metres away either.

We live in a very quiet estate and so I respect the fact that even a compressor running in the distant may be a source of annoyance to some people at certain times.

So I'm thinking of just making an acoustic cover of sorts for the compressor within the shed rather than insulate the entire shed.

I can't imagine running the compressor at all hours BUT having it plumbed in with a dedicated airline will mean that using an air blower (for example) will be very convenient and I will most likely use it more often.

Simon

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I'm in a similar situation Simon - similar sized block, currently no neighbours on the boundaries so no real noise constraints although that may be changing with proposed developments etc. I try to keep the noise down out of hours being well aware it only takes one grumpy bar steward to make things unpleasant.
Something you might want to consider...

A while back I managed to pick up a largish vertical receiver that was being upgraded at work. Finally got it in place recently, just connected via temporary hoses. For just general air blower work (even for a few minutes at a time for cooling/chip control on the mill) I can get away with turning on the compressor first thing of an evening to top the receiver up, then turn it off and just use the stored air for the rest of night.



Steve

Hi Steve,

I like the guard dog

Originally Posted by simonl

So I'm thinking of just making an acoustic cover of sorts for the compressor within the shed rather than insulate the entire shed.

Just remember that the cover will need ventilation.

Originally Posted by BaronJ

Hi Steve,

I like the guard dog

Fierce and cunning.

Fiercely disobedient and cunningly lazy

Making sure nobody steals my compressed air.....

Steve

Originally Posted by BobL

A few things I would do different if I did them again,

Make the enclosure larger than you think - any spare space can be used to store extra crap like compressor and other oils etc
Use plastic pressure pipe.
Use 1/2" hose from the start
Use quality 1/2" hose fittings from the start

We did this at the mens shed and its been really worth it.

Agree,
No space is ever big enough.

Push fit is the way to go. Easy to use and if you wish to change the layout it`s easy to do.

DSC07088.jpg

Lines are available in a number of different materials. My older nylon lines have been in 25 + years and are still fine. Polyurethane is mostly what I use now manly because I still have some of it. 12mm is light on now. I might actually have to go and pay for some. (the trouble with not being in the industry now)

DSC07092.jpg

With hard fittings brass or stainless is my preference. Black steel if that's all I have. Never, never ever galvanised fittings. The mines band them years ago as far as pneumatics go. Good thing as its crap.

With noise, I am in suburbia. At times I have trouble hearing my compressors even though they right next to my garage. There is a lot of junk in there which helps to diffuse the noise.
I can hear the next doors compressor in his very open shed more than mine.

I have seen some nice enclosures. From custom design costing a fortune for industry use, to a wooden box lined with wool insulation bats.
The home built box one was excellent. A vent at the bottom of one end with a larger vent at the top of the other end for air flow.You could hardly tell the thing was running. When I sore it it had been in use for about 8 years with no over heating problems.

Tony