Little Progress

So far my progress on the compressor has amounted to unbolting it from the pallet, sliding it onto the right half of the pallet, and bolting it back down. And I also removed one 2 x 6 from the top of the pallet.

Exciting.

I also removed the drain valve from the bottom of the tank, figuring it would be the first thing I would crush, apart from myself.

I have two roof trusses directly above the compressor. I assume they're strong enough to hold 270 pounds each, although I am no truss expert. I may be a truss expert after this thing gives me a hernia, but as of now, no. Roof trusses have galvanized splicer things in them, and in this case, they happen to be right above the compressor. I can just see them popping off right after I get the weight onto the trusses.

I am considering getting a couple of ropes from my dad's boat and using them to run slings under the platform that holds the pump. I assume this thing can support the 200 pounds or so of the tank from the welds holding the tank and platform together. If I can do this, I should be able to find a way to get the compressor up off the pallet, and if I can do that, I am home free.

Virgil mentioned a using come along. I have seen these mentioned on the web, by other fools who bought giant compressors. I guess I could connect one to the trusses and use ropes to sling the compressor under it. I don't want to put chains on the compressor. The paint is too pretty. I can borrow dock lines that will hold two tons.

Maybe I should rig ropes as a safety device and just slide the compressor down a makeshift ramp. The reason I haven't done this already is that the pump and motor are most of the weight, and they're on top of the compressor, so if it tilts without a safety rig, I'm going to be crushed like Rosie O'Donnell's girlfriend. It doesn't exactly like to slide, and when it catches during a movement, it starts to tip.

I don't need to be in a rush. The starter, oil, and vibration pads won't be here for a while, and I still have to buy a regulator/filter and maybe a desiccant canister.

Ron Paul is a testicle donor.