Converting my 60 Gallon IR shop Compressor to an awesome portable unit on wheels!

[meade916]

As some of you probably know by now, we moved a few months ago to a new shop. It took about 2 1/2 months to complete. We have a LOT of equipment from CNC machines to lasers and even large format printers, cutters etc. Out of all the equipment we moved, some of it really delicate and sensitive, the ONLY casualty was my beloved Ingersoll Rand 60 Gallon compressor. I was trying to skooch it around the shop and load it up by myself when it started to tip over. Being so top heavy, when it started to go I couldn't stop it. It fell flat on the cage and the cage didn't prevent the large pulley from taking the full brunt of force. Long story short, the crank inside of the compressor section was bent. We tried to heat it up and bend it back but it was not successful. Somehow I found a new crank on ebay for a couple hundred dollars. We pulled it all apart and replaced it. Talk about a major win! I got my ol' girl back. Now I have already replaced this with a 15hp Quincy Rotary compressor so it's not the end of the world. But I spent a lot of money and the original IR is my baby! So I really wanted it back. Now that it is repaired and up and running, it is my new badass BACKUP tank. I got some 250lb casters, did some design work and laser cut some 1/4" plate. The pics below are self explanatory but after I finished it I also really wanted my air dryer back (that used to cover the entire shop). So I designed another plate to accommodate that. It bolts right on now! It's now even more badass! Check out the pics below. 

 

Yes, this thing WAS in there. 

 

 

 

If you look close you can see just how bent it is.

 

 

 

Totally ruined! 

 

 

 

I admit, I was a little worried about doing this. But me and Brandon dug in and tore it apart.

 

 

 

 

 

[meade916]

I drew this completely off the top of my head (with calipers of course) and then busted out some 1/4" Steel plate. Cut with my Laguna Fiber laser of course. I left the middle open (large hole) so I can access the drain plug on the bottom with ease. It probably could have been smaller but something made me make it this big and I am not sure why. If I had to do this again I would make that a little smaller so more steel is still on the platform. It's totally fine though and lighter.

 

 

 

 

Yes, I had to put my logo on it in case someone digs this up from a landfill in the year 2500 lol

 

 

 

 

 

It actually came out really good IMO

 

 

 

 

 

The Quincy 15hp rotary (pictured in blue) is a BEAST. But I want my old trusty soldier back. Even if it's a back up...one I can take ANYWHERE in the shop if needed. I am about to expand to almost 11,000sf so I may wheel it around some for sure if needed. Or if Quincy Jones ever needs service I can wheel it over and tap in. Perfect!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[meade916]

Once I had this rolling and working again, I was very thrilled to say the least. But there was a piece of the puzzle missing.  My new Quincy that is now the primary compressor has a built in air dryer and oil/water separators of it's own. But my original Cam Air dryer was laying around like a $900 piece of garbage and I didn't like that. Plus, I want the air to be as dry as possible even if it is filling up tires and doing less essential duties. So I designed a second plate to accommodate that too!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[meade916]

Time to see if it actually fits. Had to remove the wheels to put the new bracket over the same holes. The bolts were plenty long enough to pass through the now 1/2" of steel plate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[meade916]

I also added a nice hook to it so I can hang the hose out of the way when not in use or when moving. That 1/2" air line used to feed my entire shop. I left it on there and this thing can fill a tire FAST. I left the secondary air fitting on it as well in case I need to hook up another one at the same time or use a smaller hose.  All in all I am just so happy to get this back and for it to be like this. Brand new cartridge for the air dryer, new crank, fresh oil, a nice wipe down and some wheels....It's Better than ever!