Air compressor in Systainer?

jonny round boy

jonny round boy

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Joined
Jul 21, 2007
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I saw an air compressor based on a systainer on ebay.de (the German site) a few weeks ago. I've just tried searching for it again but the listing has presumably been deleted. I think it was a homemade one rather than a commercial product, but I couldn't check as I don't speak German. Since then I've been toying with the idea of cannibalising my small 6 litre compressor & trying to fit it into a sys 4 (or possibly a 5). Has anyone out there tried something similar?

I was thinking of mounting the tank in the bottom, with a small cut-out in the side to access the drainage valve, with the compressor itself above that, and (hopefully) an area at the top in which to store a coiled air hose. The main issue I can see (apart from fitting it all in!) would be dissipating the heat from the compressor.

Any thoughts/ comments/criticisms welcome!!!
 
Just a thought Jonny
How about a soffit vent grill to dissipate heat next to your compressor?
You could cut a good sized hole in the plastic systainer and screw that grill right were it needs to be. It should look pretty good if you make it straight and even first.
I'm sure the fins on a metal grill would dissipate heat (and ventilate) better than some plastic with holes in it.

hope this may help

Greg
 
Hi,

      You could even rig a small fan to move air through. The type are used in elctronics cabinets, etc.  I have a compressor that almost fits in a Sys - IV with out modifying I was really hoping I could just drop it in ( the tank is about an inch too long). Oh well. It could go in a Maxi Systainer if the maxi was taller.

Thanks
 
Hey, Brice!

      Thats the same compressor I wanted to just drop in. O.K. so you removed the frame? that way the tank fits? and added a leader hose to your opening. Does that power cord just get stuffed back in  or is there a self winder hidden in there? Any other mods? supports underneath?    How about ventillation?  Looks like you have it in a Sys -V, but I think it would go in a  - IV.

    P.S. Nice Private Ryan style camera work ;) ;D

Seth
 
Seth, I forgot to add the description to the video in my first post, I found this video on youtube, I didn't make it. Sorry for any confusion.
 
Brice,

Thanks for that! It's obviously possible to do, and relatively easy. He didn't seem to have issues with heat, there wasn't even a vent cut in the systainer!

Looks like I have a project to work on over the coming weeks....

Edit: I found some manufacturer's data for the one I saw on eBay.
 
Eli said:
We've been talking about it this week. Here's the one you saw maybe. The big question for us was: would the smallest most robust compressor that would fit in a systainer be able to keep up with a nail gun if you added another systainer with a reservoir?
http://www.prebena.com/Products/index.php?Language=EN&PrebenaID=KOMP_30
Click to expand...

You beat me to it!!!

The picture at the bottom of the PDF page in my previous post does show an additional reservoir systainer, exactly as you describe...
 
Eli said:
We've been talking about it this week. Here's the one you saw maybe. The big question for us was: would the smallest most robust compressor that would fit in a systainer be able to keep up with a nail gun if you added another systainer with a reservoir?
http://www.prebena.com/Products/index.php?Language=EN&PrebenaID=KOMP_30
Click to expand...

  I have a Senco mini compressor like the one in the video. I can tell you it takes a long time to fill it's small tank, and you don't get many 16 ga. finish nails before the compressor fires again. With a separate reservoir the motor would run even longer to fill both tanks. That could shorten it's life considerable. I bet it will stand up to lite use with no problem. Forget about hard everyday use with that kind of setup.
 
First thought: the camera person must have finished off the nitrous oxide. (how cattie of me)

I don't have shop air. I have two compressors...all are too noisy. I think I will concentrate my efforts of getting one outside or as far away from me in the shop as possible.
 
I had to watch the video in two sittings. I got seasick even though I'm a sailor. My obvious choice for a shop compressor would be a two stage that was in a soundproof shed outside. But it needs to go with me. So for me, this discussion is definitely about the best way to stick one in a systainer. I was considering not even getting a compressor . I found a guy that makes a high pressure tank setup that fits in a backpack, refills from a scuba tank, and gets 1500 shots a refill. I'm trying to find the link.
 
Hi,

    I just did some more measuring on my Senco compressor. It will go into a Systainer - IV . The handle needs to be cut off at the bottom of the vertical portion. Or removed and the tank motor remounted on something like a piece of plywood. Either one is pretty easy and then it will fit right in.  I will probably keep it simple and just coil the hose and cord right on top.  This should work well if I put my guns in Systainer - I s and II s . I could then just attach what ever gun i need to the compressor and go. 
          BTW this will not be for heavy use. Just light install work.

Seth

 
OK, well based on the positive responses here, I've decided to take it a stage further. I would say I've decided to actually make it, but this has the makings of one of those projects I never quite get round to carrying through to the end!

Anyway, here's the donor machine, along with size 4 and 5 systainers:

[attachthumb=1]

As you can see, fitting it into a 4 would be much more of a sqeeze than a size 5...

In the pictures below, it's clear that the width of both the compressor & tank is considerably less than the width of the systainer:

[attachthumb=2]
[attachthumb=3]

Which gives me lots of scope for adding one of these self-retracting hose reels behind the tank:

[attachthumb=4]

Thanks to Brice for posting the vid that gave me the idea for this! With a retractable hose in there, and a mains connector in the side too, there would be no real need to open the systainer except for maintenance. This means that a Sys 1 or 2 could live permanently on top to hold the air tools.
 
woodshopdemos said:
First thought: the camera person must have finished off the nitrous oxide. (how cattie of me)

I don't have shop air. I have two compressors...all are too noisy. I think I will concentrate my efforts of getting one outside or as far away from me in the shop as possible.
Click to expand...

I agree!  One of the charms of YouTube is the rough edges of the videos.  However, I was feeling dizzy watching this.

Also, um, how about the soundtrack?

Still, I'm happy to see the concept, and glad someone took the time to share it.

Matthew
 
Matthew Schenker said:
Still, I'm happy to see the concept, and glad someone took the time to share it.

Matthew
Click to expand...

Yep, cannot complain about the quality of a presentation when the concept carries the day!
 
jonny round boy said:
OK, well based on the positive responses here, I've decided to take it a stage further. I would say I've decided to actually make it, but this has the makings of one of those projects I never quite get round to carrying through to the end!

Anyway, here's the donor machine, along with size 4 and 5 systainers:

[attachthumb=1]

As you can see, fitting it into a 4 would be much more of a sqeeze than a size 5...

In the pictures below, it's clear that the width of both the compressor & tank is considerably less than the width of the systainer:

[attachthumb=2]
[attachthumb=3]

Which gives me lots of scope for adding one of these self-retracting hose reels behind the tank:

[attachthumb=4]

Thanks to Brice for posting the vid that gave me the idea for this! With a retractable hose in there, and a mains connector in the side too, there would be no real need to open the systainer except for maintenance. This means that a Sys 1 or 2 could live permanently on top to hold the air tools.
Click to expand...

Hi,

    It looks like the compressor might be a little too tall for the Sys five even without the handle. There is an extender made for systainers. It ads about four inches to the top of any size. It looks like a sytainer - one with no top and is bottomless. but the latches are in place to connect right on. Festool doesn't have it but I know it is available from www.kofferfunshop.de    And other places in Europe. You could use it to make the Sys five taller.

Seth
 
I still can't find the email from the guy who makes them
*DAMN*.
But basically the alternative I'm talking about is a two tank high pressure setup with custom regulator. The Jacpac does something similar, the difference being the jacpac is a CO2 system, which may or may not be good for the seals of the gun, and may or may not be environmentally friendly. The two tank one is refilled off a scuba tank, which is in turn filled at a dive shop or with a high pressure compressor. Supposedly in the range of 1500 shots for a brad gun. Lightweight, making only the noise of the gun embedding the nail, refillable. Expensive of course, but that doesn't deter us in our quest for tools, does it? I'll keep trying to find it.
 
Eli said:
I still can't find the email from the guy who makes them
*DAMN*.
But basically the alternative I'm talking about is a two tank high pressure setup with custom regulator. The Jacpac does something similar, the difference being the jacpac is a CO2 system, which may or may not be good for the seals of the gun, and may or may not be environmentally friendly. The two tank one is refilled off a scuba tank, which is in turn filled at a dive shop or with a high pressure compressor. Supposedly in the range of 1500 shots for a brad gun. Lightweight, making only the noise of the gun embedding the nail, refillable. Expensive of course, but that doesn't deter us in our quest for tools, does it? I'll keep trying to find it.
Click to expand...

Hi,

          I was just looking at this. Anyone interested in using CO2 for pneumatic guns on a regular basis should consider getting there own refill set up. I used to play paintball and had a set up to refill the small tanks for my team because of the cost savings. The transfer valves were under $50 at the time. You can get big 80# cylinders from a weld shop. I don't remeber the exact cost but it was much less than paying for refills. And much more convenient than having to go somewere to buy CO2 fills. Refilling them is quite easy if you do it properly and watch a couple safety issues. Getting the regulator of course would be the expensive part. This is an intruiging idea compared to a copressor for small jobs. 

Seth
 
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