Homemade compressor with your own hands. How to make a compressor from a refrigerator for painting
What choice of home-useable compressors does the industry currently have to offer? Frankly speaking, the assortment is small, and besides, the proposed samples have a lot of drawbacks, ranging from dimensions and weight to the noise level.
Ready homemade compressor
It turns out that a homemade compressor will be the best solution to the problem with home workshop equipment.
Engine selection
In my opinion, the best choice for a home compressor engine can be called a unit from a household refrigerator of the Soviet era. Personally, I made myself two home-made compressors with such units, one block was vertical (I don’t know the brand), and the second was from the Yuryuzan refrigerator (horizontally located).
One compressor was designed to power the airbrush, while the other worked with a staple gun. There were no problems with either unit. Many may object that they have little productivity, in my opinion, more is not needed for the house. But during operation, such a device is almost inaudible.
Compressor equipment
In addition to the engine and the pumping unit itself, the compressor also needs other components for normal operation. To make a compressor with our own hands, we need:
- Foundation for the whole structure;
- Air receiver;
- Filters and moisture separator;
- Connecting hoses or tubes;
- Reducer and pressure gauge;
- Starting equipment of the engine;
The design of a homemade compressor
The base, it is also a frame, can have any design and be made of any material at hand.
For example, you can use a sheet of thick plywood or chipboard of the required dimensions as a base, and mark all the components of the compressor so that free access to all its parts is provided.
In principle, the design of the base and its materials are limited only by the developer's imagination, for example, I had one of the compressors without a frame at all (I will describe below how to do it).
As a receiver, most often resourceful people use old receivers from the KamAZ brake system, a very convenient thing, there are all the necessary threads for fittings and a condensate drain valve. Alternatively, you can use an old foam or carbon dioxide fire extinguisher (preferably several in series).
With such a receiver, you will have to work a little - weld pipes and bushings to connect the rest of the system.
Air filters and a moisture separator are best used in industrial production, of course, the price is a little expensive (a good kit now costs from 3000), but the quality is worth the money.
It will not work to make an air compressor with your own hands without connecting hoses or tubes. From personal experience, I can say that oxygen hoses (from welding) show very good results, the only drawback is a decent mass, and, therefore, it is inconvenient to work with an airbrush, it is better to use a standard spiral hose for it.
Everything is clear with the starting equipment, a standard engine starting relay is used, only a switch is added. It is more convenient to use the foot key, then the hands remain free during operation.
Work on the compressor
I'll tell you how to make a compressor using my example. It began with the fact that I tried to use a small compressor for inflating wheels from those that are commercially available for an airbrush. He was dissatisfied with his performance and set to work.
I took the old refrigerator from my mother-in-law, took out the unit with the wiring, and threw the rest away. The motor was sanded and repainted with spray paint, then went to the construction market. There I picked up a piece of oxygen hose, purchased suitable clamps and a switch.
After that, he went to his friends in the unit and became the owner of a new KAMAZ receiver. He brought all this good home and began to create a simple design.
In order not to make a frame, I decided to use the receiver as the basis of the entire compressor. To do this, I first cut it out of whatman paper and adjusted it to the place of attachment under the engine and supports for the receiver. After everything was ready, I cut out the parts from 1.5 mm thick steel, bent them and welded them to the receiver. Thus, an analogue of the factory compressor was obtained.
Then everything is simple - I installed a pumping unit on the pillows and connected all the electrics. Then he took up pneumatics, attached a fuel filter from a Zhiguli to the compressor inlet pipe through a piece of hose (subsequently replaced it with a frame soldered from wire, covered with thin foam rubber).
I screwed an adapter for the supply hose into the threaded bushing of the receiver and connected it to the outlet pipe of the pump, a dehumidifier unit with a reducer and a pressure gauge, to which a gas valve with a connector for connecting the airbrush hose, was screwed into the opposite bushing. I tried it - everything works great, no complaints.
A little advice for those who are going to make a compressor from the refrigerator with their own hands - turn on a check valve between the compressor and the receiver, the load on the motor will be significantly reduced.
This air piston compressor is very easy to manufacture and anyone can repeat it if desired. The compressor can be used to inflate balloons, for some chemical experiments where it is required to create air bubbles in a liquid, like an aquarium fish compressor, etc.
What is required to make a compressor?
- The motor with a 12 V gearbox is the most scarce part, you can buy it here -
- Several bicycle spokes.
- Two valve nipples from a bicycle.
- 12 V power supply, you can buy it here if you suddenly don't have it -
Bicycle spoke.
Manufacturing
So, if you have collected all the components, but we can start manufacturing our compressor.Bend the needle at the end at a right angle.
With wire cutters we bite off the knitting needle on the other side, so that we can make such an L-shaped shape.
We insert the threaded part of the spoke into the hole in the gear motor shaft. The hole was there in the beginning. We fix the second locking nut from the other knitting needle, tightening it with pliers.
Then we take two knitting needles and wind one on the other. We take out the inner knitting needle, bite off a part of the knitting knitting needle. Here's what should happen.
We bite off at a distance of about 10 cm and make a bend.
Next, we put this curl on the part that was made earlier on the gear motor. The limiters were made from lock nuts from the spokes. Fix the nuts with super glue. We have a moving node. This is the piston lever that will push the compressor piston.
Let's take a piece of wood board and attach the motor with gearbox and our crankset using a brace, screws, and a piece of wood for elevation.
We take out the syringe, separate the needle - it will not be needed.
We take out the plunger of the syringe and cut off the lower edges into a cone to ensure greater ease of movement of the plunger, removing excess pressure.
With a hot soldering iron, from the side closer to the beginning of the syringe, we will make a hole for the nipple valve.
We insert the nipple, fix it with super glue. This will be the intake valve.
We fill the hole for the needle with hot glue - we do not need it.
We make another hole with a soldering iron and insert the exhaust valve, fix it with super glue as well.
For greater reliability, and so that there are no leaks, fill the valve connections with epoxy.
Take the paste from the gel ballpoint pen. Cut off a small piece about 1 cm. Glue this piece to the end of the piston with super glue.
Insert into it the end from the spokes of our mechanism. And install the modified syringe on a wooden stand. Everything is fixed with hot glue.
It is not necessary to buy a compressor for painting work or pumping wheels - you can make it yourself from used parts and assemblies taken from old equipment.
We will tell you about the designs that are assembled from improvised materials.
In order to make a compressor from used parts and assemblies, you need to be well prepared: study the diagram, find it on the farm or buy some parts. Consider several possible options for self-designing an air compressor.
Air compressor from refrigerator and fire extinguisher parts
This unit runs almost silently. Consider the scheme of the future design and make a list of the necessary components and parts.
1 - tube for filling oil; 2 - starting relay; 3 - compressor; 4 - copper tubes; 5 - hoses; 6 - diesel filter; 7 - gasoline filter; 8 - air inlet; 9 - pressure switch; 10 - cross; 11 - safety valve; 12 - tee; 13 - receiver from a fire extinguisher; 14 - pressure reducer with pressure gauge; 15 - moisture-oil trap; 16 - pneumosocket
Necessary parts, materials and tools
The main elements are taken: a motor-compressor from a refrigerator (preferably made in the USSR) and a fire extinguisher cylinder, which will be used as a receiver. If they are not available, then you can look for a compressor from a non-working refrigerator in repair shops or at metal collection points. A fire extinguisher can be purchased on the secondary market or attracted to the search for acquaintances who at work may have decommissioned OHP, ORP, DU for 10 liters. The fire extinguisher must be safely emptied.
In addition, you will need:
- pressure gauge (as for a pump, water heater);
- diesel filter;
- filter for gasoline engine;
- pressure switch;
- electric toggle switch;
- pressure regulator (reducer) with pressure gauge;
- reinforced hose;
- water outlets, tees, adapters, fittings + clamps, hardware;
- materials for creating a frame - metal or wood + furniture wheels;
- safety valve (to relieve excess pressure);
- self-locking air inlet (for connecting, for example, to an airbrush).
Another viable receiver came from an automobile tubeless wheel. Extremely budget, although not very productive model.
Wheel receiver
About this experience, we suggest you watch a video from the author of the design.
Or a workshop.
For assembly we need:
1. Compressor from the refrigerator.
If you remove it from the refrigerator, cut off 30 centimeters of copper tube, we will need it later.
2. Receiver.
It is a durable container for compressed air. You can make it from an empty freon cylinder, which is used to fill air conditioners. The easiest way to find it is to contact any car service that provides refueling services for car air conditioners. They throw away empty bottles.
A red, 50 liter propane tank is also suitable as a receiver. You can buy it on Avito for 500 rubles.
Next, we need spare parts from a purchased compressor. You can find them at any major hardware store in the power tool section.
3. Pressure switch.
4. Pressure regulator.
5. Rapid adapter.
6. Safety valve 10 bar.
7. Pressure gauge from 10 to 12 bar.
8. Dehumidifier.
9. Four small wheels.
10. Small things. To facilitate the search for parts, we turn to any plumbing store, we purchase everything according to the list.
All parts will need to be connected according to the diagram.
For the reliability and tightness of threaded connections, it is advisable to use a special adhesive sealant.
An important part of our compressor is the air filter.
A very good solution would be to use a gasoline filter from the classics.
We also buy a vacuum hose from the auto shop.
The platform on which the compressor and receiver will be mounted will be made of plywood or chipboard.
We fix the receiver with a steel tape.
Let's start assembling.
We drill three holes in the receiver with a diameter of 10 mm.
Sandpaper cleaning the place for welding, weld the nipple to the holes.
Attach the purchased wheels to plywood.
We will fix the receiver on the resulting trolley.
The compressor from the refrigerator is fixed with self-tapping screws.
We put our gasoline filter on the intake port of the compressor.
We will make the connection through a piece of vacuum hose.
We put a flexible hose on the retracting end of the compressor.
The hose should be cut off in place. Fastening to the branch pipe is made on a worm clamp.
Now we assemble the automation unit.
We screw the pressure switch, safety valve, pressure gauge, pressure regulator into the hole.
Connect the rapid adapter to the pressure regulator.
The final step is to connect the elements of plumbing.
And we attach to them a pre-assembled automation unit.
A piece of copper tubing. Its function is to relieve pressure.
After the compressor pumps air into the receiver, the pressure switch opens the valve through which the pressure in the discharge system is relieved.
This is done in order to facilitate the start of the compressor, since it will not start under pressure.
We fix the tube at the very end. To do this, you need to expand one end of the tube as in the figure. This can be done with a steel ball and a hammer.
And connect the extended end to the pressure switch.
Connect the other end to the fitting through a vacuum hose.
Our compressor is ready, but in order to have enough for the work performed in the garage, an option was provided to connect an additional receiver through an oxygen hose.
To do this, in addition to the above, you need to buy:
Two 50 liter propane tanks.
15 meters of oxygen hose.
Quick-release hose adapter for connecting pneumatic tools.
Tee for combining cylinders.
Two 1/2 ball valves, 3 1/2 fittings, 1/2 tee, worm-type clamps.
Putting it all together, you get a real, big compressor.
Like any mechanism, such a compressor is endowed with pluses and minuses.
Pros.
First, the assembly cost is 5500 rubles. Approximately 2 times cheaper than a compressor of the same volume.
The second is the noise from work, because it makes no noise louder than a refrigerator.
Third, and perhaps most important, is reliability. Since the reliability of Soviet refrigerators is beyond doubt, which means that it will last a very long time.
As for the automation of the compressor, it all depends on your choice. After all, the price of the same pressure switch starts at 500 and ends at 3000 rubles.
4. High maintainability. After all, in the event of a breakdown, there will be no problems with spare parts.
Now about the cons.
The use of the compressor when performing various works in the workshop or garage is undeniable. This unit has long ceased to be the property of construction teams and departmental fleets. Here is a superficial list of what can be done with a compressor:
- Painting work
- Sandblasting any materials
- Purging of debris from hard-to-reach cavities of units
- Territory cleaning
- Tire fitting
- Working with pneumatic tools.
An air compressor can be purchased at the store. Moreover, kits of any power and performance are offered.
However, such equipment is not cheap: if you do not plan to make a profit from it - buying just to facilitate manual labor may seem inappropriate. Therefore, many home craftsmen try to make a compressor with their own hands.
Important! High pressure air is a source of increased danger. Careless assembly or use of homemade equipment can result in serious injury.
The easiest (and relatively safe) homemade compressor can be built from a common car accessory. We are talking about a ready-made electrical appliance - a compressor for pumping wheels. 
It would seem, where to apply it, except for its intended purpose? Design features do not allow large volumes of air to be supplied per unit of time.
This option deserves a separate explanation:
The compressor has two important characteristics:
Power
The ability to create high pressure without additional load on the engine.
Automotive units have a complete order with this. You can safely build up pressure up to 5-6 atmospheres. True, pumping up a wheel to a typical 2.5-3 units takes a good ten minutes (at zero initial pressure). During this time, inexpensive devices can simply overheat, so interruptions are required.
This is due to the low performance of automotive compressors.
Performance
The ability to give out "uphill" a certain volume of air per unit of time. The higher it is, the faster the container is filled, and the more intense the flow from the nozzle with the direct use of compressed air.
To combine these qualities, a large volume of the piston group of the unit is required, and a powerful engine with high speeds. Plus, it is necessary to ensure the cooling of the cylinders, otherwise the compressor will overheat and jam. Such devices exist, even turbines can be used as a working unit.
But the cost of the equipment does not allow it to be used in large quantities, especially in everyday life.
Simply put either power or performance. How to get out of the vicious circle? Use storage capacity - receiver. In industrial designs, this is a steel cylinder, which is slowly filled with a powerful, but not very productive compressor.
Homemade low-power compressor from an electric motor from a toy. A simple solution to a pressing problem. Such a compressor is quite suitable for supplying air to the aquarium. How to do it yourself step by step in this video.
When sufficient pressure is created, a sufficiently large volume of air can be delivered from the receiver in a short time. Then you need to wait until the compressor restores pressure.
This is how all units work., including those installed on vehicles with air brakes.
