SMC Discussion Areas

Anyone got any pics of the stand they use to put the referigeration system when they pull it out of the machine? I am going to make one for my machine but I want too get some ideas first.

I don't have any pics, but I just made mine out of some scrap plywood and 2x4s.

Same here...
Although, I do have casters on mine so it's easy to move around!
Lastly, I have attached a top approx. 2' above the platform to keep everything mounted properly while still giving room to work on it.

Do you guys have some general dimensions or some rules about making these? I just really want to make sure I get this right so that I don't damage anything.

If I were you I would measure the machine that the unit is in and make it similar to the machine. Most machines will be the same. Dont worry as long as the lines do not bend enough to kink you will be fine. You will be surprised how easy these mechs are to handle. The lines can bend quite a lot before any damage is done. I just make a bottom piece with plywood and then make the sides out of two pieces of 2x4's that are about 14" tall and another piece of plywood at the top. I have one made out of scrap. It doesn't look good but it works. there is nothing to it. All you need is a circular saw, some wood and about 15 minutes and you have a compressor stand.

Here is a picture of mine  works like a champ :smile:

Awesome! You know behind the wall my machine is on is a wood shop with a table saw, wood lathe, drill press and other stuff. Should be able to get one made pretty quicky.

I don't think you need to over complicate it but you will want to make sure that the bottom shelf is large enough to hold the compressor--maybe measure your compressor deck. The top shelf has to be big enough to hold the condenser and the height of that shelf needs to be the same height as the bottom of the tub so you don't crimp any lines.  The casters sound like an excellent idea!

Tim

Also one other question once I have the stuff out what should I do with it? I was planning on cleaning everything off and cleaning out the coil and replacing the fan shrould and maybe the fan blade and the cord. The motors both work very well (Condenser fan still has some bite left in it too). Can you paint the condenser? It may have been painted at one time but I don't want to put something on it that will mess with the heat flow. Does that sound like I got everything or is there something else I overlooked?

Replace the motors (both)  the fan blade you don't have to  only if there bent up , you can sand the the blade down and repaint it. the main Wiring harness Yes   I would  just because your already there and have everything out in the open.

Should I replace the motors even if they still work?

YES replace those fan motors ,   nothing worse than a old fan motor going bad
 after you get the compressor looking all pretty and stuffed back in then you have a old fan motor go down. :oh:
Then you would have wished you had replace it .

I started building my compressor stand today. Would have had it done if I had not run out of wood when I only had 3 more pieces to cut.  :glare: Oh well. What I did was took some 2X4s and cut them to size then I rabbeted the shorter pieces and screwed and glued the frame together. Then I took a piece of plywood (well not exactly plywood but I can't remember the exact name for it right now) and screwed and glued the piece down and put little pieces of wood under the sides not touching the 2x4s so that all sides would be supported. Kind of like building a floor in a house. lol Here are some pictures of what I have so far. Let me know what you think. Also how much does the compressor deck weigh?

top
(http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t357/ScaleBowler/DSCF1067.jpg)

underside
(http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t357/ScaleBowler/DSCF1068.jpg)

Nice looking stand so far, but I think it will weigh more than the compressor assembly when you are finished.

I finally got the stand done. I know it looks big and bulky but I did measure everything and it will have plenty of room to fit and the evaporator will be at the correct heighth without messing anything up. Also it is very strong. I sat on it to see how strong it was and it held very well. (even rode it around on the floor to test out the casters. :biggrin:
(http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t357/ScaleBowler/DSCF1079.jpg)
(http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t357/ScaleBowler/DSCF1080.jpg)

       Looks very well built.
       You might want to move those upright supports to the 4 corners to allow you to work on the compressor area below a lot easier. You will be using it a lot in the furure for your next machines  :biggrin:

You were right about those supports being in the way. I don't know what I was thinking but they were really in the way when I was trying to clean around the compressor. I wonder if I moved one set to the back if it would be easier to work with.

Do you have to notch the sides, so the unit will sit more center? The one I built looks something like that, then I took saw horses, with a piece plywood, & sit ot right on top. Real easy to work on. Mike

here is what I use to work on and clean compressors. It's an old Grocery cart that I welded up a few supports and then another support to hold up the condensor from the compressor.  It's great to roll around the shop, roll it outside to sandblast it, and paint it right on the stand... the supports are small enought to work around and easy to get the sand blaster in the tight spots..

Here's what I use, its a 'custom' plastic ottoman for the outdoor lawn chairs, very classy.