Powerful savings: we assemble a compressor for painting a car on our own. A full-fledged compressor from the refrigerator What to make a compressor with your own hands

An air compressor is necessary for every car owner, since it is very expensive to use the services of car services for any problem. For an urban car enthusiast living in a high-rise building, a compact, portable electric tire inflation pump is enough. If you have your own garage, a compressor device is already a mandatory measure. The device is useful for connecting a pneumatic tool, for repairing and painting a car. It is quite possible to make a compressor yourself, which can save up to 50% of the cost of a production plant.

Principle of operation

The homemade compressor works according to an elementary scheme:

  • An electrically powered or manual type pump is connected.
  • Air under pressure enters the container with a sealed design (a receiver or a cylinder is used).
  • The design has an outlet valve that directs air through the hoses to the spray gun, wrench, tire inflation adapter, etc.

As auxiliary elements, a pressure gauge is used to control the pressure and an automatic system for venting excess air. To prevent rapid wear of the device and ensure a high-quality work result, filters are connected to the output line to protect against the ingress of oil and moisture.

An air compressor is essential for every car owner.

Compressor from a fire extinguisher with a motor from a refrigerator

To create a homemade compressor, an OU-10 fire extinguisher or equivalent is suitable.

The procedure is carried out in stages, below are detailed instructions:

  • Clean the cylinder from the inside and outside of the remnants of the foam solution, dirt, rust and other contaminants.
  • Insert the adapter into the thread, installation must be carried out tightly.
  • Fix a quadruple to the adapter, female thread, size ¾ inch.
  • In the motor from the cooling installation, you should find the tip of the oil fill tube. Bite off the end with side cutters and replace the oil.
  • Drain the previous grease into a container with measured marks to determine the amount of oil.
  • Using a syringe, inject new oil into the electric motor, add 10–12% when calculating the amount.
  • Plug the oil filler tube again, you can squeeze the ends or insert a bolt wrapped with fum tape.
  • Find a starting relay in the motor, which, together with the cylinder, should be installed on the frame of the future unit. As fasteners, it is better to use bolts, but ties will also work.
  • Install a gasoline-type filter on the air intake pipe to clean the resulting air. Installing the filter involves installing a rubber adapter.
  • Fasten the fuel filter from the diesel engine with a device for separating moisture to the outlet line from the supercharger with clamps. Without a filter element, drops of water and oil will get into the paint.
  • Connect a reducer to the line to maintain pressure inside the cylinder.
  • Behind the reducer, the hose is attached to the quad.

Compressor from a fire extinguisher with a motor from a refrigerator

  • The remaining quad inlets are equipped with a pressure gauge and a relay to control the pressure level.
  • To adjust the minimum and maximum pressure on the cylinder, a spring-type control relay is installed. Connect it with one wire to the engine, and the other side to the negative wire of the network. The wire for connecting to the "plus" is connected to the start button. For a quality connection, soldering and high-quality insulation are used.

Compressor from a gas cylinder with a supercharger from a truck

An alternative way to make a compressor with your own hands is to use a 50 gas cylinder, an asynchronous motor and a compressor from the braking system in the ZIL-130. All elements are mounted on a frame, but you can do without it and make a carrier element from a cylinder to which a pump, filter, electric motor, and work control equipment are attached.

The simplest do-it-yourself compressor block can be made according to a step-by-step guide:

  • Weld the fitting into the air inlet line from the pump unit to the receiver.
  • Fix the adapter for the output line from the receiver to the pneumatic tool.
  • Weld the fitting for mounting the pressure gauge.
  • Attach an adapter to connect the reset valve, it can be replaced with a relay. When pressure rises to critical levels, pressure will be released.
  • Insert a ball-type valve to remove condensate from the bottom of the cylinder.
  • Fasten the pump and motor with a drive belt that is mounted on the shaft pulleys.

Compressor from a gas cylinder with a supercharger from a truck

  • Create the electrical system of the installation: a button for turning on, off, connect 2 capacitors with a capacity of 30 microfarads and a starting element of 60 microfarads, a time relay and a magnetic type starter.
  • Install a device for filtering the air flow against the supply line.

The manufacture of a powerful automotive compressor for painting can be carried out according to various schemes. The main advantage of these methods is the availability of materials.

Making an air electric compressor 220 V with your own hands

Making a compressor with your own hands is easier than it seems at first glance. Let's take a step-by-step look at the basic principles of how to make a compressor.

Necessary materials

Properly preparing materials is half of the successfully completed work on assembling a compressor unit. To create a classic device with operation from a 220 V network, you will need:

  • manometer;
  • relay for pressure control;
  • gearbox with built-in oil and moisture protection filter;
  • cleaning filter from a gasoline engine;
  • water cross with internal thread;
  • threaded adapters;
  • clamps or ties;

Making an air electric compressor with your own hands

  • engine;
  • receiver;
  • motor oil;
  • switch for operation with voltage 220 V;
  • brass tubes;
  • oil-resistant hose;
  • board;
  • medical syringe;
  • substance to eliminate corrosion;
  • washers, nuts and studs;
  • means for creating hermetic connections;
  • car enamel;
  • file;
  • small wheels from toy cars or furniture;
  • diesel engine filter.

Assembling the engine

Let's prepare the motor first. Its role is to build up air pressure. In order not to buy a special engine, you can use the engine from an old refrigerator.

Motor from an old refrigerator for making a compressor

There is a relay in the device of the power unit, it is useful to maintain the selected pressure value in the system. Professionals note that Soviet refrigerators were equipped with more efficient motors, they are suitable for creating a compressor with greater power compared to imported products.

First of all, the motor is removed from the refrigerator. To make it usable, you will have to clean the case. It is important to use a detergent that will prevent oxidation and corrosion. After cleaning the surface, the motor is suitable for painting.

Assembling a homemade compressor:

  • The motor contains 3 tubes: 1 sealed and 2 open for air circulation. The definition of the output and input channel is required: the easiest way to find out about the role of the tubes is to turn on the motor.
  • After external treatment, the oil must be changed. A semi-synthetic agent is best suited, which is not inferior in characteristics to a motor one and contains various useful components. For replacement, a plugged tube is used, the end of which is cut off with a file. It is important to prevent sawdust from entering the system, therefore, after making a file, you need to break the tube and inject new oil with a syringe.
  • It is important to properly seal the oil filling passage to prevent leakage. A screw with an appropriate section is selected, a fum tape is applied to it. In the process, a sealant will come in handy. The bolt is tightly screwed into the pipe.
  • The motor and relay are fixed on a thick base board. The sensitivity of the relay requires that the angle of the motor location that was present in the refrigerator be observed. Additionally, the engine is marked with the recommended housing location for stable and full-fledged operation.

Compressed air tank

The air tank is an integral component of the compressor, without which the unit will not work. When choosing a tank, it is important to consider the amount of pressure that the cylinder can withstand (indicated on the body). An alternative option would be to use a receiver, old containers from a 10-liter fire extinguisher, since these tanks are sealed and quite reliable.

The air tank is an integral component of the compressor, without which the unit does not work.

The start valve is replaced by a threaded adapter that is screwed onto the receiver. Creating a tight connection will ensure the use of fum tape.

If there are pockets of corrosion on the receiver, it is pre-cleaned with sandpaper or a grinding machine. To remove rust from the inside, pour a special agent into the container and mix thoroughly. Next, a water-type cross adapter is installed, it is mounted using a sealant.

Assembling the device

The final assembly is carried out in stages:

  • The prepared receiver and motor are attached to a thick board. For fixing to the base, washers, nuts and studs are used. The location of the tank is strictly vertical. A reliable connection will be provided by 3 sheets of plywood, on one of which a hole is cut to insert the container. The rest of the sheets are attached to the wood and the receiver's plywood retainer. From the side of the floor, furniture wheels are welded to the bottom for ease of movement.
  • A rubber hose is put on the air capture tube, to which a cleaning filter from a gasoline engine is attached. Separate clamps for attaching the filter are not required, because the inlet pressure is low.
  • To prevent the ingress of oil and water particles into the working composition, an oil and moisture separating filter from the diesel engine is installed on the outlet tube. Due to the relatively high pressure in the wire, it is recommended to use auxiliary fasteners, screw clamps will do.
  • A cleaning filter is installed at the inlet of the gearbox; it will be required to create an isolation and direction of air movement. The connection is made with a water pipe type cross on both sides. A pressure switch or pressure gauge is installed on the opposite side to control and adjust the pressure level in the receiver. An adjustment relay is installed on top of the cross. All elements are mounted hermetically.

Materials for assembling a homemade compressor

  • By means of the adjusting pressure, intermittent operation of the self-made structure is ensured. To set the relay, 2 springs are actuated: one for setting the maximum pressure, and the second for the minimum.
  • The contact of the electrical circuit is connected to the supercharger, and the second is connected to the "minus" phase. The second wire is connected to the supercharger through a toggle switch and with the mains phase. The toggle switch acts as a start button for activating and deactivating the device without removing the plug. All contacts are connected by soldering and then insulated.
  • Painting of metal structures.

After creating the compressor, it remains only to check its performance.

Testing and setting up a homemade

Having made a powerful compressor with your own hands, you should connect an airbrush to it.

Check algorithm:

  • Set the position of the toggle switch to the inactive position, connect the plug to the electrical circuit.
  • Initially, set the relay to a low value and start the installation. Control the work according to the readings of the manometer. Now the user should make sure that the relay is working, it should open the circuit when the indicators are exceeded.
  • To check for leaks, a soapy solution is used, which wets all connections.
  • Now the spray gun is turned on to release the container from air. If the system is in good order, after the pressure drops, the device should turn on.

If the device has passed all the stages of verification, it is recommended to try the device in action by trying to paint the body element. The greatest attention is paid to the quality of the layer and composition, as well as the stability of work.

We test and set up a homemade compressor for painting cars

  • The tank must be cleaned inside and out, otherwise progressive corrosion will create a hole. Sandblasting is one of the most effective and easiest cleaning methods. created with relative ease.
  • Before the start of work, body elements are straightened. You can go the standard route and use a hammer, hoods, spotter, and then paint the body, but the developed one helps repair damage without painting.
  • Be sure to paint with an airbrush after applying the primer. extremely effective, but has features of work and compatibility with other materials.
  • Before painting, all adjacent elements are either dismantled or pasted over, especially for glass. If paint gets on glass, there is a risk of damage to the material in the process of removing the product. The auto glass repair kit will help restore glass from most damage. Roof rails on the roof of a car are difficult to dismantle, it is better to cover with a film and wrap it with tape.

Conclusion

In the manufacture of an electric type compressor by hand, it is possible to save a considerable amount. Additionally, the design can be retrofitted to create an apparatus suitable for specific purposes. A ready-made installation is often used for painting, connecting a sandblaster, blowing a body after washing and inflating wheels.

The compressor can be used in a wide variety of applications − for tire inflation, airbrushing, painting spare parts etc. With the necessary tools and certain technical knowledge, it is quite possible to independently manufacture this unit based on a conventional refrigerator. A homemade compressor gives about 7 atmospheres, which is quite enough for an ordinary garage workshop, so many are increasingly thinking about how to make such a compressor? Do-it-yourself refrigerator compressor it will turn out to be quite quiet and, most importantly, cheap at its cost.

On average, the manufacture of this unit will require about one thousand rubles for all accessories.

Before trying to make ours out of an old refrigerator, you need to compare these two options, i.e. , sold in specialized stores, and our homemade version. In total it is possible to distinguish a few major differences between them:

  • The design of the factory compressor has 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.
  • In the factory version, automatic pressure relief systems, inlet and outlet filters, pressure gauges, etc. are already installed. In the compressor from the refrigerator, you will have to install the adjusting equipment yourself, taking into account all the features.
  • Despite the fact that most factory compressors are equipped with automatic systems, this feature is not implemented in some budget models. In other words, these units will have to be turned off on their own, marking the time by the clock. Homemade compressors are mainly equipped with a protective relay that turns off the engine when there is a risk of overheating.
  • In some factory models, any lubrication may be completely absent. Of course, they have a small motor resource, but there are no 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 this oil. By the way, you need to pay attention to which one to fill in - synthetics are very poorly combined with the usual, so you do not need to pour everything that is horrible.
  • The main feature of a homemade compressor is that it works very quietly, especially if you put all the tubes on it correctly, observing tightness. As for factory compressors, they behave more noisily, so its use is only possible outside the home.
  • The cost of manufacturing a home-made compressor is very low, because we take the main components from old equipment, and the control equipment will cost us one thousand rubles. As for the factory compressor, the situation is different.
  • It is not possible to make any technical changes to the factory compressor. In other words, if the unit is not powerful enough, then it can only be used as a pump for, no more. Homemade options are good because you can add some details to them, for example, a large receiver, so you can significantly increase the power of the device.
  • The factory compressor is a complete technical device, so any improvisation with it is impossible. With a home-made unit, you can do almost everything - take some parts out of the case, or hide everything in one box, and attach a handle on top for easy transportation.
  • You can install a fan on a homemade compressor so that it cools the device from the outside.

Read also: Overview of chargers for finger-type batteries

Most refrigeration compressors have some limitations in terms of their work. There are several modes in total:

  • Normal - 16 to 32 C.
  • Subnormal - 10 to 32 C.
  • Tropical - from 18 to 43 C.
  • Subtropical - from 18 to 38 C.

However, combined modes are more common, having a different range.

Thus, a homemade compressor can be much more efficient than factory, in terms of working with air.

In the video, a version of a home-made compressor for pumping wheels

Dismantling works

To make a homemade compressor from the refrigerator, you need to make initial preparations. It consists in certain dismantling works, i.e. we just need to remove the compressor from the refrigerator itself. It is located behind the refrigerator, in its lower part. To remove, we need an elementary set of tools: pliers, box wrenches and two screwdrivers (plus and minus).

The compressor is located between the tubes that are connected to the cooling system. These tubes must be cut off with pliers, but in no case should they be sawn off with a hacksaw. The fact is that with this method, small chips are inevitably formed, which can get inside the compensator.

Then we proceed to the removal of the starting relay - this is an ordinary black box, with wires sticking out of it. We unscrew the fasteners, then we bite the wires that lead to the plug. We must not forget to mark the top and bottom of the starting relay - this will come in handy in the future. By the way, we also pick up all the fasteners along with the unit itself.

Health check

After we removed the compressor, it is necessary check its performance.

The fact is that we are removing the device from an old refrigerator, so we need to make sure that our unit is still “alive”. So, we flatten the tubes with pliers - this is necessary in order for air flow to pass through them. Next, we need to put the starting relay in the position in which it stood in the design of the refrigerator. This is very important, because if the position is incorrect, there is a risk of damage to the device, as well as failure of the compressor winding.

There are wires on the relay case to which you need to fasten a piece of wire with a plug. It is better to wrap the junction with electrical tape to eliminate the risk of electric shock. Plug in the device. If you did everything right, then the compressor will work, and air will come out of its tubes. By the way, it is necessary to mark which tube the air flow comes out of, and which one it goes into.

Step-by-step instruction

Before you start making your own, you need to make sure that you have all the necessary materials and tools.

We offer you to watch a video with a detailed description of the process of one of the manufacturing options

Read also: We select oil for the air compressor

In addition to the compressor itself, which we previously removed from the refrigerator, we need:

  • Receiver. In this case, you can use the body of an old fire extinguisher, or weld the body of sheet metal and pipe.
  • Various hoses. At the same time, the length of one hose must be at least 600 mm, and the other two - about 100 mm. In this case, you can take the hoses from the car.
  • Various consumables - gasoline and diesel filters, wire, clamps, pressure gauge and epoxy.
  • Related tools, i.e. screwdrivers, pliers, drills, etc.
  • In addition, we need an ordinary wooden board, which will be the basis of the whole structure. We attach the compressor to it using ordinary screws. Fastening should be carried out exactly in the same position that he occupied in the design of the refrigerator.

We take any plastic container of a suitable volume (from 3 liters or more). In the upper part, you need to drill a couple of holes for the size of the outlet tubes. We insert the tubes, after which we fill everything with epoxy. The inlet tube, into which air enters, must be located in such a way that there is about 200 mm from its end to the bottom of the receiver. The outlet tube must be immersed ten centimeters inward.

This is a description of a plastic receiver, but for greater tightness, it is best to make a receiver in an iron case. In this case, there is no need to fill everything with resin, and the hoses are simply welded. In addition, only a pressure gauge can be installed on an iron receiver.

To install it, you need to drill a hole for the nut on the receiver case. We insert it, and then brew it. Only then we screw the pressure gauge into this nut, after which the work is completed. Now we attach the receiver to our base with a wire. The scheme will be something like this:

Our homemade unit is almost ready.

There are quite a lot of photos and videos of its work on the Internet, for example, it is shown how it is used in airbrushing and for painting various spare parts, so the expediency of its manufacture is quite obvious. Finally, we need to add a few extra touches to our device.

It is necessary to take one of the hoses, which is ten centimeters long, and put it on the filter. If this is difficult, you can slightly heat the end of the hose to make it easier to put on the fitting. We put the second end of the hose on the inlet of our device. In this case, the filter will protect against dust entering the case. The second 10 cm hose must be connected to the inlet of the receiver and the outlet of the compressor. In this case, it is better to tighten the joints with clamps. Our third hose must be put on the diesel filter, and the other end must be inserted into the outlet of the receiver. At the same time, the free filter fitting will later be connected to various equipment for airbrushing, a spray gun for painting, etc.

Another video on the topic

Some technical data and service features

It is rather difficult to say unambiguously what kind of pressure this or that compressor will show. Much depends on the specific brand and the operational life of the device itself. By the way, old units show even higher performance than modern ones.

Read also: We repair Resant voltage stabilizers with our own hands

Maintenance of our homemade device is a very important point in operation.

The main work will be to replace diesel and gasoline filters, as well as to change the oil in the device. The design of the compressors is present, as a rule, three copper tubes. We used two of them earlier, and the third remained untouched. It is the shortest and soldered at the end. So, the oil is drained through it. To do this, it is necessary to cut off the soldered part, and then drain the processing. Filling is done through it.

Does the compressor need to be repaired?

As for the repair of the resulting device, then here everyone decides for himself- whether it makes sense to mess with it or not.

The repair will consist of ringing the relay, as well as changing the oil in the device. If the manipulations did not help, then there is absolutely no need to invent something else. It is best to throw out the used device, and then make a new one. Moreover, the issue price is no more than 1000-1500 rubles.

Conclusion

In principle, we figured out how to make a compressor from a refrigerator.

It is difficult to overestimate the expediency of its manufacture, because with the help of this device it is possible to perform various works on airbrushing, tire inflation, painting various components and other works that require pressure force.

An additional advantage is that such a device can be used at home, because it makes little noise. In fact, this is the same refrigerator, only without unnecessary body parts.
Compressors recommended for ordering are listed below:

Description and characteristics

CALIBER KMK-800/9

Compressor type - piston oil

Engine type - electric

Power - 800 W

Max. compressor capacity - 110 l/min

Min. pressure - 0.2 bar

Max. pressure - 8 bar

Receiver volume - 9 l

Drive (type) - direct

Recently, compressors have gained popularity among tinkerers. They are made on the basis of almost any engine, calculating the power of the base unit depending on the number of consumers. For home workshops, do-it-yourself self-made compressor units are in demand.
Compressors from refrigerators often remain operational after the breakdown or obsolescence of the refrigerator itself. They are weak, but unpretentious in work. And many masters make quite worthy home-made installations from them. Let's see how we can do it ourselves.

Details and materials

Required details:
  • 11 kg propane tank;
  • 1/2" Female Coupling with Plug;
  • Metal plates, width - 3-4 cm, thickness - 2-4 mm;
  • Two wheels with mounting platform;
  • Refrigeration compressor from the refrigerator;
  • 1/4" adapter;
  • Brass check valve connector;
  • ¼ inch copper pipe connector - 2 pcs;
  • Compressor pressure control equipment;
  • Bolts, screws, nuts, fumlenta.
Instruments:
  • welding inverter;
  • Screwdriver or drill;
  • Milling cutters for metal with titanium coating;
  • Turbine or drill with abrasive nozzles;
  • Metal brush;
  • Roller for copper tubes;
  • Adjustable wrenches, pliers.

    Assembling the compressor

    Step one - prepare the receiver

    Rinse an empty propane tank thoroughly with water. It is very important to remove all residues of the explosive gas mixture in this way.



    In the end hole of the cylinder, we overlap the adapter by 1/4 inch. We scald it from all sides by welding, and muffle it with a screw.




    We put the receiver on wheels and support. To do this, we take pieces of metal plates, bend them at an angle and weld them onto the body from the bottom side. We weld wheels with a mounting platform to the corners. In front of the receiver we mount the support bracket.



    Step two - mount the compressor

    On top of the receiver, we expose the mounting frames for the compressor from metal plates. We check their position with a bubble level, and scald. We sit the compressor on the clamping bolts through rubber shock-absorbing pads. For this type of compressor, only one outlet will be involved, through which air is forced into the receiver. The other two, sucking in air, will remain intact.



    Step three - we fix the check valve and the adapter to the equipment

    We select a cutter for metal that is suitable for the diameter, and make a hole in the housing for the coupling with a screwdriver or drill. If there are protruding forms on the coupling body, we grind them with a drill (you can use a regular electric emery or a grinder with a grinding disk for this).



    We expose the coupling into the hole and scald it around the circumference. Its internal thread must correspond in pitch and diameter to the seat thread on the check valve.



    We use a brass check valve for small compressors. We plug the pressure relief outlet with a suitable bolt, since a bleed valve is already provided on the adjusting assembly.




    To install a pressure switch or pressure switch with all the control equipment, we mount another 1/4 inch adapter. We make a hole for it in the center of the receiver, not far from the compressor.




    We twist the check valve with an adapter 1/2 inch.




    We connect the outlet of the compressor cylinder and the check valve with a copper tube. To do this, we flare the ends of the copper tubes with a special tool, and connect them with brass threaded adapters. We tighten the connection with adjustable wrenches.




    Step four - install the control equipment

    The control equipment assembly consists of a pressure switch (pressure switch) with a control sensor, a safety valve or a pressure relief valve, an adapter-coupling with an external thread and several taps and pressure gauges.


    First of all, we mount the pressure switch. It must be slightly raised to the level of the compressor. We use an extension-coupling with an external thread, and we twist the relay through the sealing tape.



    Through the adapter, we install a pressure control sensor with pressure gauges. We complete the assembly with a pressure relief valve and two taps for the hose outlets.





    Step five - connect the electrician

    We disassemble the pressure switch housing with a screwdriver, opening access to the contacts. We bring a 3-core cable to the contact group, and distribute each of the wires according to the connection diagram (including grounding).






    Similarly, we make the supply cable, equipped with a plug for a power outlet. Screw the relay cover back into place.


    Step Six - Refinement and Trial Run

    To carry the compressor unit, we attach a special handle to the compressor frames. We make it from scraps of a profile square and round pipe. We fasten it to the clamping bolts and paint it in the color of the compressor.



    We connect the installation to a 220 V network, and check its performance. According to the author, to obtain a pressure of 90 psi or 6 atm, this compressor needs 10 minutes. With the help of an adjusting sensor, the inclusion of the compressor after a pressure drop is also regulated from a certain indicator displayed on the pressure gauge. In my case, the author set up the installation so that the compressor turns on again from 60 psi or 4 atm.




    The last step is to change the oil. This is an important part of the maintenance of such installations, because they do not provide an inspection window. And without oil, such machines can work for a very short time.
    We unscrew the drain bolt at the bottom of the compressor, and drain the waste into the bottle. Turning the compressor on its side, fill in a little clean oil, and screw the plug back on. Now everything is in order, you can use our compressor unit!

In the inventory of the car owner's garage, an air compressor will be useful. With it, you can paint a car, pump up tires, supply air to pneumatic tools. Consider how to make a compressor for painting with your own hands from available materials.

Compressed air - a true assistant to a true master

There is always a use for an air compressor in the garage: from the banal blowing off of dust from surfaces treated with abrasive to creating excess pressure in pneumatic tools. A considerable part of the working resource of the compressor falls on the performance of car painting. And this imposes certain requirements on the generated air flow.

It must flow strictly evenly and not have any impurities in the form of drops of water, oil or suspended solids. Such defects as granularity, shagreen and cavities on a freshly applied paintwork are just due to the ingress of foreign particles into the jet. Paint streaks and matte spots on the enamel occur when the mixture is unevenly supplied.

Branded air compressors from the manufacturer have all the features for a perfect airbrush, but cost a lot of money. You can save money and create a functional model that is not inferior to professional ones on your own by studying the theoretical information and watching the do-it-yourself compressor video as a guide. The principle of operation of all models, both homemade and professional, is quite simple and is as follows. An overpressure is built up in a device for storing compressed air, called a “reservoir”. Air can be pumped both manually and mechanically.

With manual filing, financial resources are saved, but a lot of effort and energy is spent on controlling the process. With automatic injection, all these shortcomings are eliminated, the only thing that remains is the routine oil change in the air pump. Further, compressed air through the outlet fitting is supplied in a uniform flow to the actuators. As you can see, there is nothing complicated, and you can create a workable model in a few minutes.

We make the simplest compressor with our own hands

One option would be to make a compressor for painting from a used car chamber. For manufacturing you will need:

  • The receiver is a car camera. Available with or without a tire
  • Supercharger - car pump with pressure gauge
  • Nipple from a bad camera
  • Repair kit for rubber
  • tailor's awl

Having collected the necessary materials, we proceed directly to the manufacture of the device. We take an unnecessary car camera and check it for leaks by inflating it with a pump. If the balloon holds air, then everything is fine, and you can proceed to the next step. If there are leaks, localize the damage and seal them or vulcanize with raw rubber.

Further, a hole is made in the prepared receiver for an additional nipple, through which a uniform stream of compressed air will subsequently exit. We glue the additional fitting using a rubber repair kit and connect it to the spray gun. We unscrew the nipple in it - the air flow should come out freely. We leave the nipple in the native nipple of the car chamber - it will work like a valve, holding excess pressure.

Then, empirically, we determine the required level of air pressure in the receiver by spraying paint on any surface. The enamel should lay down evenly, without jerks. The value of excess pressure is determined using a pressure gauge and must be such that when the aerator button is pressed, its level does not change abruptly.

It will not be difficult to assemble such a compressor model, but you will immediately be convinced of the effectiveness of the repair with the help of a compressor, rather than spray cans of paint. The main thing is to follow the rule - moisture or dust should not get into the airbrush into the car chamber, and, therefore, even then, into the spray gun. Otherwise, they will mix with the car enamel, and all the painting work will need to be done again. The assembled model will work properly, but it is better to automate the air injection and make additional changes to the design.

Semi-professional compressor for do-it-yourself painting

According to experts, home-made compressors with receivers have a longer service life than models from domestic and foreign manufacturers. And this is understandable - everything is done by hand and, even if some part fails, it will be a matter of a couple of minutes to replace it. Consider how to make an air compressor that is not inferior to products of well-known companies from readily available materials that we will need according to the list below:

  • pressure gauge
  • Reducer with oil filter
  • Pressure control relay
  • Gasoline fuel filter
  • Water supply cross (quadruple) with a three-quarter female thread
  • Thread adapters
  • Automotive clamps
  • Compressor motor
  • Receiver
  • Semi-synthetic engine oil with a viscosity of 10W40
  • Toggle switch for 220 volts
  • brass tubes
  • Oil resistant hose
  • Thick board for the base
  • pharmacy syringe
  • rust converter
  • Studs, nuts, washers
  • Sealant, fum tape
  • Metal paint
  • Needle file
  • furniture wheels
  • Diesel engine power system filter

Finding all the components is not difficult, it’s worth starting with the heart of the whole system - the air blower.

The engine is the actuator of the automatic compressor

As an engine, we will use a compressor from an old refrigerator. As a rule, they are equipped with a starting relay, which is very convenient for constantly maintaining a certain level of pressure in the receiver. It is preferable to use compressors from refrigerators of the old Soviet model, they allow you to pump a higher pressure than their imported counterparts.

After removing the execution unit from the dilapidated refrigerator, clean it of accumulated dirt and rust. Then treat with a rust converter to prevent further oxidation. This way you will prepare the engine housing for further painting.

Next, change the oil in the compressor. A rare refrigerator was regularly serviced and lubricated, which is quite justified - the system is completely isolated from the effects of the atmosphere. You can use semi-synthetic motor oil, it is in no way inferior to compressor oil and, in addition, has many useful additives.

There are three tubes on the compressor - 2 open and one sealed. The open ends are designed for air circulation, one of the tubes is the inlet, the other is the outlet. To determine which path the air is moving, momentarily energize the compressor. And remember which duct draws in air and which lets it out.

The sealed tube is designed for routine oil changes. The closed end must be carefully removed. To do this, we file the tube in a circle with a file, trying to prevent metal filings from getting inside the system. Then we break off the filed tip and drain the old oil into some vessel to determine the amount to be replaced. And fill in semi-synthetics in a slightly larger amount with a syringe.

Then the engine lubrication system must be shut off. For which, having picked up a screw of the appropriate size, we wrap it with fum tape for tightness, screw it into a tube. The supercharger from the refrigerator tends to sweat with grease - that is, there are droplets of oil in the output air stream. They will be held by an oil-moisture separator for the compressor. With our own hands, in the future, we fasten the engine with a starting relay on a wooden base to the position in which it was attached to the frame.

The compressor relay is sensitive to position in space and often its top cover is marked with an arrow. Only with the correct installation, the process of switching modes will proceed correctly.

Compressed air tank

Fire extinguisher cylinders are best for storing compressed air. They are designed for high pressure, have a large margin of safety and are ideal for mounting attachments. Let us consider the metal case of the OU-10 fire extinguisher with a working volume of 10 liters as a receiver. This cylinder is designed for a pressure of 15 MPa or 150 bar with a large margin of safety.

We turn off the lock-start device (LPU) from the future receiver and in its place we screw in the adapter, on the thread of which we wind the fum tape for sealing. If the fire extinguisher has traces of corrosion, then they must be removed with abrasives and a rust converter.

From the outside, everything is easy to do, but with the inner surface you have to tinker a little. To do this, pour the rust-cleaning agent into the cylinder according to the instructions and shake the contents thoroughly. Then we screw in the water cross, using sealant and fum tape for sealing. So, the two main parts of our compressor are ready, and you can proceed to the next step.

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 basis, on which we securely fix the engine - supercharger and fire extinguisher body.

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

The other two, with the help of self-tapping screws, are attached to the carrier board and glued to the sheet holding the receiver. Under the bottom of the receiver, at the base, we hollow out a recess corresponding in size. For maneuverability, we fasten wheels from furniture fittings to our base. Next, we perform the following operations:


Now it remains only to paint the entire compressor and proceed to field tests.

Adjusting the pressure in the receiver chamber

Having assembled the structure, you should check its performance. We connect an airbrush or a tire inflation gun to the compressor outlet. After that, with the toggle switch off, turn on the plug in the network. We set the control switch to the minimum pressure and then apply power to the supercharger. The pressure created in the receiver is controlled by 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 soapy water.

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 work and start the compressor. If everything is functioning properly, you can try to paint some unnecessary part. Preliminary work on preparing the surface for applying enamel is not required here - it is important for us to develop skills and determine how much pressure is required to paint the product. Experimentally, we determine the value in atmospheres at which excess pressure is enough to paint the entire part with a uniform layer with a minimum amount of blower operation.

As you can see, creating a car compressor with your own hands does not cause any particular difficulties. The device made according to the second option requires more time to manufacture, but it will all pay off with further operation. The automatic pressure control and blower start-up system will allow you to work with great convenience, without being distracted by control over the receiver chamber. The compressor can be used not only for car care. With it, you can paint the fence, garage door.

In order for a self-made compressor to serve for a long time and properly, routine maintenance should be carried out. This is, first of all, regular oil changes and timely replacement of filter elements. Since we have securely fixed the engine to the base, there is no point in unscrewing it. To drain the oil, use a syringe. Having unscrewed the screw that closes the filler hole, we put the hose tightly on the tube and pump out the mining. We also pump fresh engine oil with a syringe. With filters, everything is simpler - we change them as they become dirty and the filling rate of the receiver chamber decreases.

Alternative choice - do it yourself or buy finished products?

Today, the market for air compressor offers is replete with variety. Piston, vibration, screw and many other classes of these devices are produced for various purposes. Ready-made compressors can be bought in household appliances stores, auto parts stores, and on specialized sites. The variety of products offered is so great that it will take a lot of time to choose the required product. If you decide to purchase a finished device, carefully study the specifications, price range and customer reviews.

Of course, it is better not to save money and purchase expensive products from famous brands. But a big-budget purchase pays off only if you plan to do car repairs professionally. The choice of little-known products is fraught with unjustified risks. Cheap models sin with low-quality materials. It often happens that engine parts fly out instantly, and warranty repairs take several months.

From the position of reliability, hand-made assembly wins in many respects. Firstly, according to statistics, compressors in refrigerators work for decades. And the old refrigerator is thrown out not because of a broken engine, but because of a refrigerant leak or corrosion of the walls and bottom. And there is nothing to say about the fire extinguisher - they are made with a tenfold margin of safety, which is immediately checked at the factory. So maybe you shouldn't buy a pig in a poke, but make a device on your own? Moreover, after studying the material, you know how to make a compressor with your own hands at home. A well-made and properly functioning device will not only please the owner, but will also become the envy of familiar motorists.

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 airbrush compressor for inflating wheels from those that are commercially available. 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.

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