Air Compressor Loft

I have a small shop in my garage and am always looking to better organize my space. Here is an air compressor loft I built above one of my workbenches to save a bit of space and so it’s always handy. It’s my first LumberJocks post, and the first thing I built for my shop. I got the idea from Family Handyman magazine, but made some modifications to suit my needs.

The shelves are 3/4” plywood that I had lying around. I cut a 3.5” hole in the back so I could reach in and empty the drain, and added a shelf for my nailers and extra nails. I put a scrap piece of molding around the top shelf so the compressor wouldn’t “walk” off the shelf when it’s on.

The best part of the shelf is that I added a receptable/switch combination ($6) to plug it in. When I want the compressor on, I can flick the switch in the box without having to get on a step stool to reach the switch on top of the compressor. I just wired the box to a plug end that I can stick in an outlet. My support brackets were ripped down to fit the electrical box perfectly. I have a retractable air hose reel that I am going to attach beside it.

-- It's better to have a tool and not need it than to need a tool and not have it.