In this article, DIY Time will show you how to create an air compressor for the garage or workshop.
For assembly we need:
1. The compressor from the refrigerator.
If you will remove it from the refrigerator, cut off 30 centimeters of a copper tube we will need it in the future.
2. The receiver.
It is a robust vessel for compressed air. You can make it from an empty cylinder from freon, which is filled with air conditioners. To find it the easiest way, contact any car service provider that provides car air conditioning refueling services. They throw empty cylinders.
A red, 50 liter propane canister 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 in any major hardware store, in the power tool department.
3. Pressure switch.
4. Pressure regulator.
5. The adapter is rapid.
6. 10 bar safety valve.
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, purchase everything according to the list.
All details will need to be connected according to the scheme.
For reliability and tightness of threaded joints, 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 apply a gasoline filter from the classics.
Also in the car shop we get a vacuum hose.
The platform on which the compressor and receiver will be mounted is made of plywood or a chipboard.
We fix the receiver with a steel tape.
Let's proceed to the assembly.
Drill three holes with a diameter of 10 mm in the receiver.
Sanding paper stripping the place for welding, weld to the nipple holes.
Attach the purchased wheels to the plywood.
On the resulting trolley we fix the receiver.
The compressor from the refrigerator is fixed with screws.
We put our gasoline filter on the compressor inlet.
We make the connection through a piece of vacuum hose.
On the retracting end of the compressor we put on a flexible hose.
The hose should be bite off in place. Mounting to the nozzle 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.
We connect a rapid adapter to the pressure regulator.
The final stage we connect the elements of plumbing.
And we attach to them a pre-assembled automation unit.
A piece of copper pipe. 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 released.
This is done in order to facilitate the start of the compressor, since under pressure it will not start.
We fasten the tube at the very end. To do this, expand one end of the tube as shown. This can be done with a steel ball and hammer.
And connect the extended end to the pressure switch.
The second end is connected 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 for connecting an additional receiver through an oxygen hose.
For this, in addition to the above, you need to buy:
Two propane tanks for 50 liters.
15 meters of oxygen hose.
Quick-detachable adapter for hose, for connecting pneumatic tools.
Tee to combine cylinders.
Two 1/2 ball valves, 3 1/2 fittings, 1/2 tee, worm clamps.
Putting it all together, you get a real, large compressor.
Like any mechanism, such a compressor is endowed with pros and cons.
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 noise no louder than the refrigerator.
The third, and perhaps most important, is reliability. Since the reliability of Soviet refrigerators is not in doubt, which means that it will last a very long time.
As for compressor automation, it all depends on your choice. After all, the price of the same pressure switch starts at 500 and ends at 3,000 rubles.
4. High maintainability. Indeed, in the event of a breakdown, problems with spare parts will not arise.
Now about the cons.
The first is poor performance. This disadvantage is compensated by a large receiver.
The second - the compressor from the refrigerator tends to gradually spit out oil. This problem is solved by control through a dehumidifier. It is necessary to monitor, according to the amount of oil collected, top up and fill in only fresh.
And yes, the oil in the compressor is pre-replaced with a transmission ATF.
Well, it's time to test our compressor in battle.
For you, the manual and compressor introduced the channel DIY Time.
Good ideas to all!