Do-it-yourself compressors from the refrigerator - an algorithm of actions and everything about homemade compressors. Do you know how to assemble an air compressor from scrap materials? Homemade compressor station

To buy or not to buy? That is the question. But for those who have an old faulty refrigerator with a working compressor, this question disappears - of course, make a compressor for painting using existing materials yourself!

Assembling a compressor yourself is not as complicated as it seems at first glance, especially if you know the principle of its operation. To assemble the compressor, you will need a motor that drives air into a container where the same air will be under pressure. The mechanism is designed in such a way that excess air, due to which the pressure in the container may exceed what is necessary, comes out through a special drain valve. This is necessary so that during the process of painting a car (or whatever else is needed) the paint spreads evenly over the entire surface, and this effect can only be achieved when there is constant pressure in the sprayer.

The compressor can be used in a variety of areas - for inflating tires, airbrushing, painting spare parts, and so on. Having the necessary tools and certain knowledge, it is quite possible to independently manufacture this unit based on a conventional refrigerator. A homemade compressor produces about 7 atmospheres, which is enough for an ordinary garage workshop. A refrigerator compressor will be quite quiet and, most importantly, cheap in cost.

What is better - homemade or purchased?

In total, there are several main differences between them:

1. The design of the factory compressor contains an electric motor that transmits torque to the working chamber through a belt drive. As for the homemade compressor, it consists of a housing and the engine itself, without belts.
2. The factory version already has automatic pressure relief systems, inlet and outlet filters, pressure meters, etc. installed. In a compressor from a refrigerator, you will have to install the control equipment yourself, taking into account all the features.
3. Despite the fact that most factory compressors are equipped with automatic systems, some budget models do not have this feature. In other words, these units will have to be turned off independently, noting the time on the clock. Homemade compressors are mainly equipped with a protective relay that turns off the engine if there is a risk of overheating.
4. Some factory models may not have any lubrication at all. Of course, they are small, but they lack various exhausts. This circumstance is very important, especially if the spray gun behaves rather capriciously, not tolerating various impurities. As for homemade compressors, there is plenty of oil.
5. The main feature of a homemade compressor is that it works very quietly, especially if you put all the tubes on it correctly, maintaining a tight seal. As for factory compressors, they are noisier, so their use is only possible outside the home.
6. The cost of manufacturing a homemade compressor is very low, because the main components are taken from old equipment, and the control equipment will cost a maximum of 1000 rubles.
7. It is impossible to make any technical changes to a factory compressor. In other words, if the unit is not powerful enough, then it can only be used as a tire inflator, nothing more. Homemade options are good because you can add some parts to them, for example, a large receiver, thanks to which you can significantly increase the power of the device.

As practice shows, a homemade compressor for painting a car breaks down much less often than its foreign and domestic factory counterparts. On the Internet you can find many instructions on how to build compressors with your own hands. So let's discuss several options that can help in this matter.

Schemes for making a homemade compressor

Here are several options for device assembly schemes - choose which one is best suited for your purposes:

Compressor assembly parts

• pressure switch;
• pressure gauge;
• gearbox with oil and water separator;
• oil/water separator filter;
• adapters;
• crosspiece;
• fitting and nut;
• coupling;
• nipple;
• a tube;
• car clamps;
• receiver;
• nuts, studs, washers;
• furniture wheels;
• automobile oil;
• toggle switch;
• plug and cord;
• fuel filter;
• plywood panels (chipboard);
• refrigerator compressor;
• oil and petrol resistant hose, screws, Epoxylin, sealant, paint, fum tape, rust remover and other small things.

I checked several different control valves in my versions. After several attempts, I ordered a RUCK14IAMSV check valve, it does not buzz and can be perfect for building a compressor from refrigeration units. You also need to buy a safety valve (MINI SVM14-12). Take a tank from a 16 kg powder fire extinguisher. The pressure in the tank is 9.5 bar, the shelf life is 2 months.

Important: pay attention to what kind of oil you fill in - synthetic oil does not combine very well with regular oil, so you don’t need to pour in just anything.

1. An oil separator must be installed between the compressor and the tank.
2. Oil should be added through the third solder tube.
3. It is best to solder the connector and screw it in with a screw or metal plug.
4. Install a dehydrator, it will also capture the oil.

Due to the sudden failure of the refrigerator, I became the owner of an efficient 110 W unit. Of course it can be converted into a compressor. There is a car airbrush, which was previously used with a 12-watt compressor, as well as with a high-power compressor. These devices are noisy and short-lived. So I had to make a homemade one.

Compressor assembly instructions

It is important to dismantle the compressor correctly to avoid damaging it. First, using wire cutters, cut through the tubes coming out of the engine leading to the radiator grille. Next, the wires from the relay are cut, but their length should remain approximately 20 cm. Before unscrewing the compressor, you need to make a mark on the relay cover.

Once the compressor blower circuit from the refrigerator is broken, the spindle will be exposed to the atmosphere, which will lead to a loss of its properties. If the factory oil in the supercharger is not replaced, its pistons will quickly wear out, causing the engine to fail. Therefore, it is recommended to first replace it with a semi-synthetic motor one. like from a car.

In addition to the outlet and inlet tubes, the compressor from a conventional refrigerator is equipped with a third tube with a sealed end. In order to use it in the future to paint a car, it is necessary to remove the clogged part. To do this, using a hacksaw for metal, you should make a neat cut around the tube, but without sawing all the way through, and then break off the cut piece. It is important that metal shavings do not get inside.

The remaining pipe must be flared and the old oil drained, then semi-synthetic oil must be poured into it in the same quantity. After which the pipe is sealed with a screw wrapped in fum tape.

The fire extinguisher housing is perfect for the receiver. It is important that it is cast, seamless and has a volume of 10 liters or more. Before using it, you need to inspect the inside of the fire extinguisher for corrosion. A flashlight is used for inspection. If corrosion is still present, it must be removed using a special liquid.

Stages of assembly work

Making a compressor from a refrigerator means following a simple sequence of steps:

1. Take pliers, a 12mm spanner, 2 screwdrivers - one for plus and one for minus. At the bottom of the rear panel, use pliers to cut through the tubes connecting the compressor to the cooling system. Unscrew the start relay, having previously marked the top and bottom sides on it. Disconnect the relay from the plug. We take all the fasteners with us.
2. Checking functionality: reconnect the relay, provide air access to the compressor through the tubes, connect to the network. If everything is done correctly, the device works. Air will flow into one tube and out of the other. Label these tubes.
3. Attach the compressor with self-tapping screws to a wooden board.
4. We take an old fire extinguisher, 1 hose 600 mm long, 2 others - 100 mm, fuel filter, clamps, pressure gauge, sealant. We already have a drill, a screwdriver, and pliers.
5. If there is no fire extinguisher, then we will make a plastic container. To do this, you need to take a container with a volume of more than 3 liters. Make 2 holes. Insert the inlet tube into 1 hole at a distance of 2 cm from the bottom of the container. We lower the outlet pipeline 10 cm deep. It is impossible to install a pressure gauge on a plastic tank.
6. If there is an iron tank, then the tubes can be fixed by welding. We install a pressure gauge on the iron receiver.
   We fasten the receiver and compressor together.
7. Place a filter on a 10 cm long hose and attach the free end of the tube to the inlet of the constructed apparatus. We use another hose to connect the receiver inlet to the compressor outlet. We fix the joining places with clamps. A diesel filter is attached to the last hose, and its free end is inserted into the outlet of the receiver. If necessary, equipment can be attached to the remaining end of the tube to make airbrushing and painting available.

Second version of step-by-step instructions:

1. We drill a special hole for the adapter that needs to be secured. You can choose different methods, for example, the most affordable is cold welding (using Epoxylin).
2. Carefully clean the bottom of the receiver from contaminants - plaque and rust. This is necessary so that Epoxylin adheres well to the surface for strong bonding. And, of course, so that the paint does not become dirty and does not form into lumps with debris. This can be achieved by sanding the bottom of the fire extinguisher to a metallic shine using rotating and circular movements using sandpaper.
3. We secure the adapter by clamping it from the front side with a nut, and give the Epoxylin time to harden according to the instructions.
4. Let's move on to the base for the compressor, for which you need to acquire three wooden boards or a piece of plywood measuring 30 by 30 cm. For the convenience of further moving our device, you can screw mobile furniture wheels to the base. We do not specifically describe the dimensions of the holes and other details, since this will all be purely individual, as it depends on the selected material, type of compressor, and so on.
5. We drill holes for the compressor and studs and mount them. The studs are secured with nuts and washers.
   We put a car filter with a special paper core on the inhalation of the compressor. This will help prevent dust and other small contaminants from getting inside the compressor.
6. Next we'll deal with the electrical work. To make our homemade compressor for painting a car convenient to use, we equip it with a pressure switch (for example, PM5 or RDM5), as well as a shutdown switch. The first device, a pressure switch, is necessary for us to turn off the compressor during the process of pumping air into the receiver, when the pressure reaches the permissible maximum, and vice versa, to turn it on when the pressure drops below the permissible minimum. You can set the values ​​of the maximum and minimum pressures directly on the relay using springs, with the large spring responsible for the minimum pressure (and the corresponding activation of the compressor), and the small one for the difference between the maximum and minimum pressure values.
7. Take a closer look and you will see 2 contacts on the relay, designed specifically for connecting it to the network. Since such relays were originally used in the water supply system, we will slightly change its purpose and connection features. Our task is to connect the first contact to the network, and the second to the compressor.
8. We place the general shutdown switch on the gap between the pressure switch and the 220V network. This will help de-energize the entire installation so that you don’t have to constantly run around to turn it on and off.
9. We paint the receiver and begin final assembly.
10. Screw the nut with the fitting onto the oil-moisture separator filter.
11. We take the hose and put one end of it on the fitting, and with the other we pull it onto the compressor tube and clamp it all with clamps. To do this, we take a reinforced, oil-resistant hose. Each threaded connection should be sealed with fum tape.
12. We screw the filter to the bottom of the receiver and treat the silicone connection with sealant.
13. We screw on the cast iron lid, but pre-treat its threaded connection with the same sealant. To improve sealing, you can place a rubber gasket under the lid.
14. You need to screw a tube onto the lid, the thread of which should be a quarter of an inch, and screw the cross onto it.

Installation of device parts

For ease of storage and movement, it is best to arrange all compressor parts compactly on one base. We will use a wooden board as a base, on which we securely mount the engine - supercharger and fire extinguisher housing.

We fix the compressor motor using threaded rods threaded into pre-drilled holes and nuts with washers. We place the receiver vertically, using three sheets of plywood to secure it, in one of which we cut a hole for the cylinder.

We attach the other two using self-tapping screws to the supporting board and glue them to the sheet holding the receiver. Under the bottom of the receiver, at the base, we hollow out a recess of appropriate size. For maneuverability, we screw wheels made from furniture fittings to our base. Next we perform the following operations:

We protect our system from dust and coarse particles, for which we use a coarse fuel filter for gasoline engines as an air intake. For this purpose, we use a rubber hose that tightly presses the filter fitting and the inlet tube of the supercharger. There is low pressure at the compressor inlet and reinforcement of contact using automotive clamps is not required. Thus, we made an inlet filter for the compressor with our own hands.

An oil separator should be installed at the compressor outlet; it will not allow liquid particles to pass through. We use a diesel engine power system filter as this protection element. We connect it to the supercharger using an oil-resistant hose. Since the pressure at the outlet of the compressor is increased, here and everywhere else, to strengthen the contact, we use automotive clamps with fasteners tightened with a screw.

We connect the oil-moisture separating filter to the input of the gearbox. We need a reducer to decouple the pressure of the receiver and the outlet of the supercharger. We screw its high-pressure outlet into the water crosspiece on the left or right.

We screw a pressure gauge from the opposite entrance of the quad, using it we will control the pressure of compressed air in the cylinder. We screw the adjusting relay on top of the cross. We seal all connections with fum tape and sealant.

The relay will allow you to set a wide range of pressure levels in the receiver, promptly interrupting the supercharger power supply circuit. You can choose PM5 or RDM5 as the actuator. These devices will turn on the compressor if the compressed air pressure in the receiver drops below the set level, and turn off when the specified range is exceeded. The required pressure is adjusted on the relay using two springs. The large spring sets the minimum pressure level, and the small one regulates the upper limit, setting the compressor shutdown limit. RDM5 and PM5 were originally produced for use in the water supply network and are electrically passive, that is, they are ordinary switches with two contacts. We connect one contact to the zero of the 220 V network, and the second to the supercharger.

We connect the phase wire of the network through a toggle switch to the second network input of the compressor. The introduction of a toggle switch into the electrical circuit allows you to quickly disconnect the system from power without having to run to the outlet every time. We solder all electrical connections and carefully insulate them.

Compressor testing and adjustment

Now all that remains is to paint the entire compressor and move on to field testing.

After assembling the structure, you should check its functionality. We connect a spray gun or a tire inflation gun to the compressor output. After that, with the toggle switch off, plug in the plug into the network. We set the control relay to minimum pressure and then apply power to the supercharger. The pressure created in the receiver is controlled using a pressure gauge. After making sure that when a certain level is reached, the relay turns off the engine, we check the tightness of the air ducts and connections. This is easy to do with a soap solution.

After making sure that the compressed air does not leave the system, we bleed it from the receiver chamber. As soon as the pressure in the cylinder drops below the set mark, the relay should operate and start the compressor. If everything is functioning properly, you can try painting some unnecessary part. Preliminary work to prepare the surface for applying enamel is not required here - it is important for us to develop skills and determine what pressure will be required to paint the product. We experimentally determine the value in atmospheres at which the excess pressure is enough to paint the entire part in a uniform layer with a minimum number of blower activations.

Adjustment and testing

The main test of a homemade compressor is to determine the possibility of effectively regulating the pressure that is created in the assembled system. The easiest way to do this is to test paint a surface. In this case, the following is done sequentially:

1. Set the relay to 4…5 atmospheres.
2. Connect the compressor to the network.
3. The stability of the parameter is monitored using a pressure gauge. If the relay is operational, then if the pressure is exceeded, it will turn off the compressor; otherwise, open the relief valve and immediately turn off the unit.
4. Check the system for spontaneous bleeding of the energy carrier, for which you can use a regular soap solution.
5. When the pressure drops to a level below the minimum permissible, the relay should automatically turn on the compressor.
6. After painting any surface, it is necessary to check the quality of the paint applied to it - during an external inspection, no traces of moisture, foreign particles and dirt should be detected. If such defects do occur, you should additionally check the operation of the output filter - oil and water separator.

Video instructions for the compressor

The operation of the assembled unit will be long and reliable if routine maintenance is carried out periodically. It comes down to replacing inlet filters, periodically purging all air ducts, and also changing the oil in the compressor.

It is undesirable to load the compressor by more than 75% of power. But it is quite difficult to understand where the line is that cannot be crossed, to predict what pressure the compressor will show. It depends on when the refrigerator was released and what brand it is. On older models this figure will be better. Then, for comfortable, high-quality work, you only need to replace the consumable filters.

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Our car is a faithful friend and reliable assistant in many life situations. Therefore, it is very important to keep it not only in good condition, but also in good working order. In order for the car to bring pleasure from driving, you need to monitor its serviceability inside and its beauty outside. And this is not so easy, especially considering the high probability of damage to the paintwork from a wide variety of external factors, it is difficult to predict when a homemade compressor may be needed to paint a car.

In fact, if you want to achieve an ideal result, then it’s worth the effort and doing the repairs yourself. But if you still decide to transform your car yourself, then we will try to help you prepare for such a difficult task. To do this, you will need to build a compressor with your own hands. Below we will provide some useful tips and techniques for assembling such devices, following which you can get one step closer to updating the paintwork of your car.

The principle of operation of a compressor for painting a car

So, first of all, we note that the procedure for assembling a compressor yourself is not as complicated as it seems at first glance, if you know the principle of its operation. If we try to describe this device in a few words, it is worth noting that to assemble the compressor we will need a motor that drives air into a container where the same air will be under pressure. The mechanism is designed in such a way that excess air, due to which the pressure in the container may exceed what we need, comes out through a special drain valve. This is necessary so that during the process of painting a car, the paint applies evenly to the entire surface, and this effect can only be achieved when there is constant pressure in the sprayer.

So we got acquainted with the principle of operation of such a device as a homemade compressor for painting a car, besides, this principle will be similar for any compressor. Let's now try to work a little magic on its creation. The algorithm of our actions will depend on what pressure we want to achieve. In accordance with this, we will select the necessary materials.

The first components of our future design will be an unnecessary car tire with a tube or just the tube itself, as well as a car pump. These materials are not difficult to obtain, so this method is quite practical and easy to repeat. The algorithm of our actions provides the following:

• take the camera and cut a hole in it;
• glue (for example, with raw rubber) an additional nipple into the chamber;
• we adjust the pressure in the chamber, for which you need to select the required pressure using the barometer built into the pump, practicing spraying paint on the wall;
• after determining the required pressure, you should unscrew the hose slightly from the pump so that during operation (namely pressing the spray gun) the pressure does not change or jump (but this is if the car pump does not have a release mechanism; if it is there – the fourth step should not be performed, since the pressure will be stable anyway).

Now let’s explain a little what, what and why. We cut a hole in the chamber so that we ended up with two nipples - one with a nipple for pumping air into the chamber, and the second without a nipple (let's call it outlet) for later connecting the hose from the sprayer. Here our device is ready.

In principle, assembling a homemade compressor for painting a car using the method described above is quite simple. The main thing is to pay attention to a number of little things that can ruin the work done. For example, it is best to initially secure the camera so that it does not jump or squirm on the floor. But under no circumstances should you pour anything foreign into it, much less fill it with it. This can cause it to become clogged and the paint will subsequently mix with the backfilled material.

Likewise, you should not pour liquid into the chamber, as moisture will get on the paint. As a result, drops are formed that will “spit out” from the sprayer, thereby spoiling the work done before. All paint can be damaged, just like the hours of your labor. But by paying attention to such little things and other details, you will successfully complete the task.

Despite the fact that the sale of compressors for car painting is quite widespread in our country, many still prefer to assemble this device themselves. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, just looking at the cost of branded compressors, most craftsmen try to look for compromises. Secondly, not every imported compressor can boast of reliability and durability, but a self-assembled structure is another matter!

Homemade compressor for painting a car with a receiver

As practice shows, a homemade compressor for painting a car breaks down much less often than its foreign and domestic counterparts. On the Internet you can find many articles by people who have achieved success in building compressors. We have already outlined one of these methods above. Now let's discuss another option that can help in this matter.

So, we need:

• pressure switch;
• pressure gauge;
• gearbox with oil and water separator;
• oil/water separator filter;
• adapters;
• crosspiece;
• fitting and nut;
• coupling;
• nipple;
• a tube;
• car clamps;
• receiver;
• nuts, studs, washers;
• furniture wheels;
• automobile oil;
• toggle switch;
• plug and cord;
• fuel filter;
• plywood panels (chipboard);
• refrigerator compressor;
• oil and petrol resistant hose, screws, Epoxylin, sealant, paint, fum tape, rust converter and other things.

Where can I get a motor for a future compressor?

We will need any model of an old Soviet refrigerator, which will become a “donor” of parts for our future compressor. You should remove the cylinder with the already built-in relay from the refrigerator and remove any dirt, for example, a layer of rust that has formed over many years of service. After this, we coat the body with a special substance - a rust converter, which will subsequently protect the surface from oxidation.

So we have prepared the body of our design for the upcoming painting. But there is a small detail that is worth considering. As a result of the long service life of the refrigerator, the sealing of the compressor was probably broken, which caused a change in its operating conditions. Therefore, we take and replace the old compressor oil with automobile oil. Here, you may be surprised, but in fact everything is simple: automobile oil can work in much more severe conditions than native compressor oil. Therefore, it is advisable to make such a replacement, for example, with 10W40 synthetic motor oil.

On the side of the compressor there is a special tube, sealed in most cases and intended just for changing the oil. It's not that easy, so it's best to follow these steps:

• carefully file the tube in a circle using a file;
• carefully break it off so that sawdust does not get inside;
• take a syringe and slowly pour in the oil, initially calculating the required dosage;
• we plug the tube using a screw of the required diameter (in order to obtain maximum tightness, it is necessary to put a rubber gasket on the screw).

Where can I get a receiver for a compressor?

Our next task is to prepare the receiver. You can use different materials for it, for example, the housing from the OP-10 fire extinguisher (its volume is 10 liters) is suitable. We first saw off the handle from it. Pay attention to one more feature: if we take a compressor from a refrigerator, then it is worth taking into account that it tends to steam abundantly with oil. To solve this problem, it is enough to install an oil-water separator filter at the inlet of the receiver. This will prevent foreign liquids (oil, moisture) from getting into the paint.

So, our homemade compressor for painting cars received a housing and a receiver (air container). Now our task is to correctly assemble and configure it. Therefore, our further actions turn into the following sequence:

• We drill a special hole for the adapter that needs to be secured. You can choose different methods, for example, the most affordable is cold welding (using Epoxylin).
• Carefully clean the bottom of the receiver from contaminants - plaque and rust. This is necessary so that Epoxylin adheres well to the surface for strong bonding. And, of course, so that the paint does not become dirty and does not form into lumps with debris. This can be achieved by sanding the bottom of the fire extinguisher to a metallic shine using rotating and circular movements using sandpaper.
• We secure the adapter by clamping it from the front side with a nut, and let the “Epoxylin” time to harden (it is indicated in the instructions - read carefully!).
• Let's move on to the base for the compressor, for which you need to acquire three wooden boards or a piece of plywood measuring 30 by 30 cm. For the convenience of further moving our device, you can screw mobile furniture wheels to the base. We do not specifically describe the dimensions of the holes and other details, since this will all be purely individual, as it depends on the selected material, type of compressor, and so on.
• We drill holes for the compressor and studs and mount them. The studs are secured with nuts and washers.
• We put a car filter with a special paper core on the inhalation of the compressor. This will help prevent dust and other small contaminants from getting inside the compressor.
• Next we'll deal with the electrical work. To make our homemade compressor for painting a car convenient to use, we equip it with a pressure switch (for example, PM5 or RDM5), as well as a shutdown switch. The first device, a pressure switch, is necessary for us to turn off the compressor during the process of pumping air into the receiver, when the pressure reaches the permissible maximum, and vice versa, to turn it on when the pressure drops below the permissible minimum. You can set the values ​​of the maximum and minimum pressures directly on the relay using springs, with the large spring responsible for the minimum pressure (and the corresponding activation of the compressor), and the small one for the difference between the maximum and minimum pressure values.
• Take a closer look and you will see 2 contacts on the relay, designed specifically for connecting it to the network. Since such relays were originally used in the water supply system, we will slightly change its purpose and connection features. Our task is to connect the first contact to the network, and the second to the compressor.
• And now about the general shutdown toggle switch. We place it on the gap between the pressure switch and the network. This will help de-energize the entire installation so you don’t have to constantly run back and forth.

• We paint the receiver and begin final assembly.
• Screw the nut with the fitting onto the oil-moisture separator filter.
• We take the hose and put one end of it on the fitting, and with the other we pull it onto the compressor tube and clamp it all with clamps. To do this, we take a reinforced, oil-resistant hose. Each threaded connection should be sealed with fum tape.
• We screw the filter to the bottom of the receiver and treat the silicone connection with sealant.
• We screw on the cast iron lid, but pre-treat its threaded connection with the same sealant. To improve sealing, you can place a rubber gasket under the lid.
• You need to screw a tube onto the lid, the thread of which should be a quarter of an inch, and screw the cross onto it.

We need the receiver to be pressed tightly to the base and not to dangle. To do this, you need to press it on top with a plywood cover, having previously cut a hole in it for the fire extinguisher cover.

We're left with the setup. To do this, screw the relay to the left of the crosspiece, screw a pressure gauge on top, and on the right - a gearbox with a filter to separate moisture and oil. Our last action will be to connect the wires to the relay itself.

How to set the compressor to the desired pressure?

Now we have finished creating our compressor. Now it needs to be adjusted to the required pressure and tested on an unnecessary surface, for example, on a wall. It should be noted that this method is much more complicated than the previous one. However, it will make painting the car much less of a headache thanks to the convenience we've added with the relay and toggle switch. Below are listed all the components that may be needed in order to approximately repeat this technique.

One of the biggest advantages of this DIY compressor is that it can be used for more than just painting your car. It is universal and suitable for other purposes, stored in your workshop. Once again, please note that the assembly methods and materials used here are just a convention. You need to take into account all the features on an individual basis, depending on your capabilities and available means.

Thus, as we see, a homemade compressor for painting a car is a reality. For those for whom this task seems impossible, the sale of compressors for car painting is suitable. They come in different types and different powers. Today's assortment will provide customers with screw, piston, vibration and many other types of these devices used in various fields.

Should you make a compressor yourself or buy one in a store?

Compressor for painting

You can purchase a compressor in many hardware stores, as well as on specialized websites on the Internet. Here you can go through catalogs and sites for a long time, since the choice of devices is large, especially considering the variety of their characteristics and areas of use. Have you decided to buy after all? In this case, you should not save money, since you can also get yourself a headache along with the compressor in the form of a lack of automatic pressure control or a toggle switch. Although in most factory assemblies these mechanisms are provided.

Its cost varies widely and depends on many factors. For example, the price will be much higher if you look at an imported device from a well-known expensive brand. Domestic production is a big question, as they say, it is cheap and cheerful.

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on an expensive imported compressor, but want to get a reliable device that will help you paint your car and more, then the best way out of this situation is to assemble it yourself. Even if a compressor is needed only for painting a car, and you don’t want to take up space in a garage or workshop later, selling compressors for painting cars will always help.

If, after assembly, you have a solid, good device that can be used repeatedly, then you can sell it and reimburse all the money spent on purchasing the necessary materials and improvised means. Thus, the compressor will not only do a useful job, but will also quickly pay for itself, since such things are quite in demand in the automotive market.

A compressor can bring a lot of benefits in various areas of life. Perhaps you need a device for quickly inflating car tires, or you have decided to take up airbrushing, but you don’t have the appropriate equipment, and you don’t want to buy it. You can solve this problem by making a compressor yourself. We will talk about how to do this and what is needed for this.

Make or buy

Before you learn how to make a compressor with your own hands, you need to understand how and what problems a homemade version can solve, and how a store-bought unit can cope with them. In this regard, everything depends more on the direction for which you need a compressor. If you need it for simple tire inflation, then you can use a homemade one.

It’s another matter if you are drawn to creativity. It doesn’t have to be airbrush to stumble over the disadvantages of the home version. The thing is that painting requires a uniform and uniform air flow. It should be free of debris and other small particles.

If these conditions are not met, grainy paintwork or other types of defects may result. This is what you should think about first when you see photos of homemade compressors.

To all of the above, you can also add heterogeneous stains and drips, which will be a problem even when painting a bicycle frame, let alone car parts.

Despite this, both types of compressors are designed pretty much the same when it comes to the basics. In any case, you need a tank in which the air is under high pressure. It can be generated by manual injection, or it can appear from mechanical action.

If the first option is cheaper to implement, then it is worth considering that the work will be much more difficult, because you will constantly need to monitor the pressure level inside the compressor.

If the compressor is equipped with additional automation, all you need to do is add oil or change it from time to time. The result of the operation of such a device will be a constant and uniform supply of air, which can play a very important role for you.

Preparation

So we come to step-by-step instructions for assembling a compressor at home. If we talk about its advantages, then first of all it is worth remembering the volume of operation, because such a unit will work significantly quieter than the factory version. To do this, you will need to tightly connect all the components, but this work is worth the effort.

What can you make your own compressor from?

First, you will need something that can replace the receiver. A simple car camera works well for this. Next you will need to find a simple pump with a pressure gauge installed. It is needed to increase the air pressure inside the chamber. To this we add a simple awl, a repair kit for the wheel and a simple nipple for the camera.

First of all, you need to make sure that the chamber is still sealed and does not leak air. If it turns out that she cannot cope with her tasks, in conditions of increased pressure the consequences can be serious.

If during the inspection you find air leaks, then the chamber needs to be sealed, and this is best done using vulcanization.

Since our camera will serve as a receiver, we will need to make another hole in it, for which we will need a simple awl. You will need to glue the nipple into it, which I talked about earlier. It will be used to supply air inside the chamber.

For proper installation of the nipple, the repair kit, which is indicated in the list of required parts, is well suited. Next, unscrew the nipple and check how the air moves.

A DIY mini compressor is made according to the same principle, you will just need to take a smaller chamber, which will require a lower power pump. Such an installation will have lower productivity, but will have a certain compactness.

Peculiarities

After everything that was done earlier, you need to install the release valve on the nipple that was originally on the camera. It is necessary to relieve pressure if it rises too high. In order to check the performance of the device not only by direct use, it would not be superfluous to install an additional pressure gauge.

Otherwise, if you are painting, you will need to first do a test run, then look at the uniformity of the enamel or plain paint, and only then start working. This is not very convenient, and can be quite expensive, depending on the price of materials.

It is important to know that when checking the pressure level with a pressure gauge, its needle should not twitch. If this happens, you need to check the entire structure, as this is a sign that the air flow is not uniform.

In fact, the idea of ​​homemade compressors and the manufacture of one does not require any superpowers. Naturally, you will need straight hands, basic skills in working with different tools, and most importantly, the desire to do all this. If you need a compressor for professional needs, then it is better to turn to ready-made solutions.

There are many reviews that homemade compressors work more reliably and are more durable. It is important to understand that this depends primarily on who made this unit, and the materials that were used to create it are no less important.

If you want to work in your garage or shed as a hobby, and you have enough free time to do it - why not.

DIY compressor photos

An air compressor is a device that sprays paint. It is commonly used in workshops and garages to paint cars or inflate wheels. You can purchase such equipment in a specialized store or make it yourself. Unlike factory models, homemade equipment can be more efficient and last much longer. In addition, in terms of financial costs, independent production will be cheaper.

Using an accessory from a car, you can make a compressor of a simple design. This is a ready-made electrical device - wheel inflation device. The compressor has two positive properties:

• Power. The device is capable of creating high pressure up to 5-6 atmospheres, without unnecessary load on the engine. This is the main advantage of automotive devices. But it will take about 10 minutes to pump up the wheels. Therefore, the work is done intermittently, otherwise cheap devices may overheat during this time. The reason is the low performance of automobile compressors.
• Performance. In a unit of time, the device is capable of releasing air quickly and in large quantities. Thanks to high performance, the container fills faster, and the direct use of compressed air makes the flow from the nozzle stronger.

A high-speed engine and a device with a volumetric piston system will help combine power and performance. To ensure that the equipment does not stop during overheating, it is necessary to create additional cooling of the cylinders. Sometimes turbines are used for the working unit. In everyday life, simple devices are not often used because of their high cost. In order not to have to choose between power and performance, use a receiver.

The receiver is a storage tank. For industrial devices, a steel cylinder is used as a receiver. A fairly powerful, but not very efficient compressor slowly fills the cylinder. In a short period of time, a volumetric flow of air can be supplied from the receiver, but only when sufficient pressure appears. After the air is supplied, it should restore pressure. All devices operate on this principle. For a compressor with low power, an electric motor from a toy is suitable. This device is often used to supply air to an aquarium.

Functional homemade compressor

Unlike devices that are made from car accessories, the compressor from a refrigerator runs continuously. This is due to good power and performance. In addition, the quality is no worse than factory models. And if it is possible to get the components for free, then the production of such a device will cost a minimum. The device is designed for painting and blowing, tire fitting, and provides excellent performance for pneumatic tools. For the manufacture of a compressor for 220 V you will need the following parts:

1. Motor-compressor from an old refrigerator.
2. Tees, oil filling tube, hoses, fittings, air inlets.
3. A reducer that will monitor the pressure.
4. Two pressure gauges.
5. Receiver. A fire extinguisher or gas cylinder, which must be completely empty, is suitable for this. You can weld a homemade container from sheet iron and a thick pipe.
6. Filter for air purification.
7. Oil.
8. Emergency valve.
9. Start relay and pressure switch.
10. Paint for metal.
11. Fum tape, hacksaw and motor oil.
12. Key and syringe.

Compressor assembly consists of several stages:

High power compressor

If the previous version of the compressor is not powerful enough for you, then there are devices with more high pressure and high productivity. An internal combustion engine is used as a compressor, the crankshaft of which begins to work not from fuel combustion, but from the reverse process. At the same time, the piston group of the device has a large margin of safety. An electric motor with a power of 3 kW or more is used as a drive, which can be purchased at a low cost. Or use a working engine, removing the ignition and intake system, exhaust, starter group and gearbox.

This device is capable of creating a pressure of 10 atmospheres. Very noisy.

Medium Power Air Compressor

From a gas cylinder or fire extinguisher a medium power air compressor is created. To do this, connect an old fire extinguisher (cylinder) and a powerful auto compressor to inflate the wheels. When making the device yourself, you must follow the following rules:

• Containers with mechanical damage and corrosive deposits cannot be used.
• The structure must be well fixed.
• A steel sheathing must be made. This is necessary if the receiver accidentally ruptures.
• It is necessary to provide a pressure reserve. If you plan to increase the pressure to 5 atmospheres, then its strength should be from 10 atmospheres.
• To ensure that the compressor automatically turns off when the pressure reaches its maximum, an emergency shutdown sensor is installed. Or you should install a mechanical valve, which, if necessary, will provide an emergency pressure release.
• The high-pressure device should not be left for a long time if it is used in rare cases. To maintain tightness, 0.5 atmospheres is enough.

Do not neglect safety precautions: do not forget about installing emergency sensors. An overinflated tire will simply burst, and if a steel cylinder explodes, you can get seriously injured.

It’s easy to make a compressor with your own hands. Its design can be simple or complex, the main thing is what it is intended for and how much you are willing to spend on its manufacture. But do not forget that the device must meet technical safety requirements.

It is not necessary to buy a compressor for painting work or inflating wheels - you can make it yourself from used parts and assemblies removed from old equipment.

We will tell you about structures that are assembled from scrap 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 additional parts. Let's consider several possible options for independently designing an air compressor.

Air compressor made from refrigerator and fire extinguisher parts

This unit operates almost silently. Let's look at the diagram 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 - air inlet

Necessary parts, materials and tools

The main elements taken are: 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 at repair shops or at metal collection points. A fire extinguisher can be purchased on the secondary market or you can involve friends in the search, who at work may have written off fire extinguisher, fire extinguisher, fire extinguisher for 10 liters. The fire extinguisher cylinder must be emptied safely.

In addition you will need:

• pressure gauge (as for a pump, water heater);
• diesel filter;
• filter for a gasoline engine;
• pressure switch;
• electric toggle switch;
• pressure regulator (reducer) with pressure gauge;
• reinforced hose;
• water pipes, tees, adapters, fittings + clamps, hardware;
• materials for creating a frame - metal or wood + furniture wheels;
• safety valve (to relieve excess pressure);
• self-closing air inlet (for connection, for example, to an airbrush).

Another viable receiver came from a tubeless car wheel. An extremely budget-friendly, although not very productive model.

Wheel receiver

We invite you to watch a video about this experience from the author of the design.

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