My pole barn...a solo affair

[deereguy]

Is there a location (an insulated room or ceiling mount) where you can mount your air compressor, for noise control?

What about an overhead door for the shed or is it an awkward size?

 

[Megado]

Hey Brandi...

I think that picture of Booger is worthy of being a great Avatar. How could anyone resist playing ball with him?

Jim H.

 

[3RRL]

I would consider building a little lean to or enclosure and put the air compressor outside on a concrete pad. The difference in noise reduction is tremendous.
Run all your lines into the building to your work spots along the walls with quick connects every 10 feet or so. One by the big door to do stuff outside. Use several water traps in the plumbing. Another thing to consider is the size of the pipe you use. Depending on the total length of pipe, if you use larger than normal pipe (like 1" or larger) then you get several more gallons of compressed air at your disposal.
Do you have a single or two stage compressor?

 

[bindian]

Is there a location (an insulated room or ceiling mount) where you can mount your air compressor, for noise control?

What about an overhead door for the shed or is it an awkward size?

Deereguy,
At first I was thinking about mounting it up high, but now I am leaning to putting it out in the shed above the trailer.
It is a barn, not a garage. No overhead roll up doors for barn. Not enough character. The sliding doors will have the red and white purina checkerboard on them.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

Hey Brandi...

I think that picture of Booger is worthy of being a great Avatar. How could anyone resist playing ball with him?

Jim H.

Jim,
The problem with playing ball with him is you have to get to the ball first. If not, he teases you by coming close then running off. Check out my current Avatar. It is a photo of Booger framed by my backhoe's bucket.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

I would consider building a little lean to or enclosure and put the air compressor outside on a concrete pad. The difference in noise reduction is tremendous.
Run all your lines into the building to your work spots along the walls with quick connects every 10 feet or so. One by the big door to do stuff outside. Use several water traps in the plumbing. Another thing to consider is the size of the pipe you use. Depending on the total length of pipe, if you use larger than normal pipe (like 1" or larger) then you get several more gallons of compressed air at your disposal.
Do you have a single or two stage compressor?

Rob,
I am thinking of having the air compressor mounted above the trailer up in the shed. I want to be able to get to it easy to drain the tank often and check the oil daily. After 30 years working in aviation with pneumatic tools, I don't even notice air compressors running. But they can put off a lot of heat. I will plumb air lines like in the sheetmetal shops. I don't think I need the size pipe you state. At Heliflight we had a turbine compressor and only used 1/2 inch lines in the shop and hangars and 3/4 inch lines from the compressor. I don't really need all the gallons of capacity, just the CFMs the bigger 60 gallon compresser puts out. If I want more, I will just make a pleuem (pig) like we use in the hangars at SWA.
I haven't bought the compressor yet. But it is 2 stage.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

I got a quote yesterday from a concrete contractor. After a friend told me she would help me with anything but concrete work, I decided not to try it myself with friends' labor. He wants $400 to install the wire (I already have) and plastic and pour the concrete. He says it would be close to that if I installed the wire and plastic. He said his crew could have it ready in just 30 minutes. It would take me considerably longer than that. I will let his crew do it. Half the barn (where the Big RED Beast parks) will be 5.5 inches thick and the rest, which is shop area and feed, hay, and tack storage will be 3.5 inches to save on the ever incresing cost of concrete. Concrete will cost around $800-900.
He asked if I want it smooth or a lite broom finish. I am leaning toward smooth on the fact that smooth is better on your knees while working under a vehicle and would be easier to clean up with kitty litter. Also sweeping should be easier if smooth. Any thoughts on this?
hugs, Brandi

 

[xlr82v2]

I'd definitely go with smooth... for exactly the reasons you mentioned. But, if you ever have horses walking on it, it may be a little slick for them...

 

[mikim]

My rule of thumb is ....under a roof = smooth ....outside = broom...go with smooth. And I really don't think you'd even need the 5" concrete if you were to put some rebar in it. Course I don't know which is cheaper -- I just like a lot of steel in my concrete. The more the better.

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

Well, I think you just solved a problem for me. I've been trying to figure out how to build my next garage/barn with two lean tos and with some style.

That barn looks great!

Thanks for all of the pics, when I get home, I'll have to save them all!