Compressor for airbrushing from a refrigerator motor. Instructions for making a homemade compressor for an airbrush Compressor for an airbrush from a car
A man can assemble and fix anything. And the more difficult the task, the more desire to work can arise. One of these difficult tasks can be a do-it-yourself airbrush compressor, which is not always easy to assemble. Despite the fact that it looks very serious, this will not frighten a real lover of technology.
As a rule, the compressor is taken as the basis for the work, which was previously removed from the old refrigerator. Sometimes they take a car electric pump, and some craftsmen also come to the rescue with a fire extinguisher.
Pros and cons of a homemade device
Like any technical product, a homemade airbrush compressor has a number of both positive and not very pleasant sides. If you look globally, then the main advantage of the "manual" compressor is aesthetic. It is always a pleasure to work with a personal assembly machine. The feeling that it was you who made this compressor is very motivating to work.
In addition, in most cases (when a refrigeration compressor, a fire extinguisher or an electric pump of a car is taken as the basis), there is a low noise level during operation, while a purchased one can make a very loud noise.
As for the price, the cheapness of a homemade compressor is a very stretched myth. It all depends on the selected components, so the price of such a product is very often a little cheaper than buying a factory one.
Stage one
The handmade compressor is good because it can be made exclusively for your needs. For example, if you make a compressor for an old-style airbrush (single action), then the receiver, in principle, is not needed. This cuts down on assembly costs.
But modern painting conditions require better technique, so a double action airbrush is in use. It controls the airflow, so a receiver is essential.
Compressor directly
The most popular option is to take it out of the fridge. Sites selling refrigeration equipment will help you choose the technical side of the desired compressor. The most important criterion when buying such a compressor is the price. The air injection characteristics are the same in almost all models.
Receiver
It must be a container that is capable of handling gas (or liquids) under pressure. It is not recommended to use plastic barrels or canisters for these conditions. The first option to make a good receiver would be a fire extinguisher. A hydraulic accumulator, oxygen tank or propane tank can also be used. When the main parts are selected, it remains to put them together.
Stage two: working with nodes
When assembling the selected compressor and receiver, you need to securely connect all transitions and nodes for high-quality painting in the future and follow clear rules:
Don't forget adapters. To increase the tightness, you can make the joints smeared with poxypol.
Stage three: assembly in two stages
The main problem with the first part of the assembly is the node that connects the receiver. In the case of a fire extinguisher, the valve is generally not suitable for this design. Therefore, it must be cut down and a suitable fitting conductor welded on.
For a less careful but faster build, you can do the following:
- Remove control.
- Leave only the internal mechanics.
- To the remaining outlets, select adapters with internal threads. Press with a wrench. It is not necessary to screw up until “failure”, as often there is a mismatch with adapters.
It is enough to make a secure grip and lubricate everything with poxypol or cold welding.
The second stage of assembly is necessary for the convenience and presentability of the product. The device is not small (refrigerator parts, receiver, multiple knees and adapters), and carrying it in your hands is not always productive.
Therefore, an oak board or chipboard is used as a stand. A machine is mounted to it using self-tapping screws, and on the other side you need to install furniture wheels for convenience and mobility. Or you can build something like a cabinet to store everything you need for painting (directly paint, nozzles, etc.). Spare parts (adapters, nuts, wrenches) can also be loaded there.
Turn on moment
Reinsurance with automatic shutdown and on indicates that the connection line must necessarily go through a relay. You need to study the instructions that came with the compressor. This is especially important since it works in unusual conditions. Often there is a need to install a condenser (depending on the type of compressor, refrigerator, from which it was removed).
From the outlet we go to the switch. Then we connect the phase wire to the desired relay terminal. The neutral wire can go in two directions. If there is a ground wire, leave it; if not, connect it to the ground terminal on the relay. The second option is better.
As a result, we obtain protection with the help of nulling. Then the phase and neutral wires go to the compressor starter drive. According to the indicated scheme, the wires are connected to the desired terminals. Everything is ready for painting. Let's summarize the materials used:
- compressor (can be used from the refrigerator);
- receiver (fire extinguisher, for example);
- pressure switch;
- manometers;
- flexible hose (oil resistant);
- adapters, sanitary pads, FUM tapes, etc.;
- Chipboard or board for the stand.
This is a superficial list, but it covers all the main paint compressor parts. In addition, the entire product can be driven into a box or case, build a lid or otherwise decorate and give a solid and professional look. As mentioned above, in order to get the compressor, it is not necessary to break the refrigerator. Automotive electric pumps are often used and give good results. But their assembly system is a little different, and there are more difficulties in connecting to the power supply, the cooling system.
The airbrush has gained wide popularity in the colorful design of car bodies. In repair work, it is used for painting surfaces. Airbrush compressors are widely used in the reconstruction of architectural buildings and structures.
How an airbrush works
An airbrush is a pneumatic tool for spraying paint. The principle of operation of the device is to spray the coloring composition with a directed jet of compressed air.
There is a special container for storing and supplying paint. Compressed air is supplied through a flexible connecting hose. One end of the hose is attached to the instrument. The other end is connected to the compressor.
The design of the airbrush consists of 3 elements:
- Paint spray gun.
- Source of compressed air.
There are two types of pistols:
- with external mixing of the coloring mixture;
- with internal paint mixing.
The external mixing device is used for painting large areas. It has the simplest design.
Internal mixing machines are equipped with a multifunctional nozzle and valve plate. Such airbrushes have a complex device. Used in artistic painting to perform complex work.
Making a compressor for airbrushing with your own hands is quite simple, but you need to know the design and principle of operation of the device.
What are the components of a compressor?
The device is necessary for the production and supply of compressed air. It consists of the following main elements:
- receiver;
- air pump;
- technical equipment;
- base (bed).
The receiver is a sealed container for storing compressed air. Made from metal or durable plastic.
In self-made installations of low power, canisters and plastic bottles are used as a receiver. Such devices do not require additional control equipment.
In high power units, empty containers of powder fire extinguishers and gas cylinders are used. High explosiveness requires the equipment of instrumentation.
Air pump
It is intended for injection of air masses into the receiver. It is a piston engine of small power. When the piston moves, another portion of compressed air is pushed into the device.
For the manufacture of a homemade airbrush compressor, engines from refrigerators, cars, vacuum cleaners, and hair dryers are used.
Technical equipment
Serves for maintenance and control of the unit. The technical equipment includes:
- control and measuring equipment;
- connecting hoses.
Reducers, pressure gauges, safety valves, shut-off valves, pressure switches are used as instrumentation.
Rubber or plastic connecting hoses are used as connecting equipment.
Base
The base is a metal frame structure. It serves as a supporting mechanism. To move the apparatus, the frame is equipped with wheels. A folding frame is used to transport the unit.
What materials will be needed
The airbrush compressor will require the following materials:
- electric motor;
- receiver;
- pressure switch;
- manometers;
- flexible connecting hose;
- adapters (if necessary);
- sanitary pads;
- FUM tape (liquid sealant).
Preparatory process
To assemble a compressor for airbrushing with your own hands, a piston electric motor from a refrigerator is used. The power of the device is 1-2 kW.
Before assembling the device, perform the following operations:
- clean the inside of the cylinder from rust and traces of grease;
- used oil is replaced with a new composition;
- check the operation of the valve plate.
Assembling a homemade receiver
To assemble the mechanism, a receiver with a capacity of at least 20 liters is used. An empty gas cylinder or a powder fire extinguisher is used as a container.
For the manufacture of the device perform the following work:
- Remove the stop valve from the cylinder.
- A hole with a diameter of 15 mm is drilled in the lid.
- In the drilled hole, a thread is cut for the M15 cross.
- One outlet of the crosspiece through a ball valve is connected to an additional cylinder.
- A safety valve is connected to the other outlet.
- A second M15 crosspiece is attached to the side exit.
- A pressure gauge is connected to one outlet of the crosspiece.
- To the other is a ball valve for connection to the compressor.
- An oxygen reducer with a pressure switch is connected to the third outlet through a ball valve.
- A flexible hose is attached to the outlet of the reducer for connection to the airbrush.
The assembled circuit allows efficient use of engine power. The plant's high efficiency makes it possible to connect an additional consumer.
A safety valve is used to protect against overpressure. When the limit level is reached, the protective mechanism bleeds excess air out.
The construction of a compressor for an airbrush is a complex and labor-intensive process. The assembly of the unit requires the skills of metalwork and turning. For the manufacture of the device requires a specialized tool.
The idea of which was articles from the great and powerful "Internet". Having once seen a home-made compressor from a fire extinguisher, he caught fire with the idea and for a long time (because there was no urgent need) collected components. Which includes:
1. The engine from the refrigerator is the compressor itself!
2. A receiver is a tank that holds pressure.
3. Pressure switch - turns the engine on and off.
4. Manometer - it can be used to determine the pressure in the receiver.
5. Pressure reducer - so that the output air flow is uniform and can be adjusted.
6. Moisture separator. Separates condensate, as the air cools when compressed. And water when working with an airbrush, for example, can cause a lot of trouble.
7. Gasoline filter (car)
8. All kinds of tees, couplings, adapters, etc. and so on. Since the compressor connection scheme is not standardized and many options can be used.
9. Well, wires and hoses.
Unfortunately, there are no photos of the phased assembly. But on the final result you can see what was connected to what and how!
This option is not yet finished, since a frame of 15x15 mm tubes will be welded under it.
My version of the compressor was made under the airbrush. Its working pressure is about 2 bar. Therefore, a tank from the reagent for refueling air conditioners was enough for the receiver (its maximum pressure is 3.2 bar).
I connected the engine through a switch (so as not to run to the outlet), from a pressure switch. We put a coarse filter (gasoline) on the air intake pipe. We connect the air supply tube to the receiver. The third tube - for changing the engine oil, should remain sealed if not, close it with a plug.
Modern high-quality painting equipment, which is designed for airbrushing, is presented in large numbers on the modern market. This makes it possible to perform a variety of types of work related to the painting of any surfaces, ranging from various models of serious military equipment to the vehicle body.
Many masters and car owners are well aware that airbrush compressors can only be purchased at a fairly high cost, especially if from well-known manufacturers. It is for this reason that many decide to make this or that equipment with their own hands.
The principle of operation of the airbrush
ATTENTION! Found a completely simple way to reduce fuel consumption! Don't believe? An auto mechanic with 15 years of experience also did not believe until he tried it. And now he saves 35,000 rubles a year on gasoline!
The basic principle of the airbrush is relatively simple. It consists in high-quality spraying of the coloring matter under the pressure of flowing air.
A modern airbrush is a fairly complex pneumatic tool that can be used in modeling and when carrying out painting and repair work.
In order for this high-quality and functional device to work as efficiently as possible, you should make sure that all the required equipment is available, in particular the compressor. It can be purchased, as well as, if you have the necessary tools and equipment, make it yourself.
The main components of the compressor
To assemble a high-quality homemade airbrush compressor designed for an airbrush exclusively with your own hands, you need to understand the basic principles of the entire system. The equipment of such a plan consists of several elements:
- Air pump, which pumps it into a special receiver;
- You will need the receiver itself, which is designed to concentrate air masses, as well as to smooth the air flow at its outlet;
- It is important to take care of purchasing additional equipment. it can be a gearbox, a special pressure switch, a pressure gauge, a safety valve and special connecting hoses;
- A platform designed to accommodate all the necessary work items.
Particular attention should be paid to the air pump. It can be any device that is able to pump air masses, thereby creating working pressure for high-quality work of the airbrush.
You do not need to use a conventional vacuum cleaner as a compressor, as it is not able to provide the proper pressure.
A special piston compressor from a failed refrigerator will do. You can also use a special membrane compressor from the vehicle. It is the second option that should not be purchased, since it is characterized by insufficient performance and power indicators.
Usually, for a device such as a high-pressure airbrush compressor, many people use old, no longer used fire extinguishers. You can also use special car receivers, compact propane and oxygen cylinders. These are sealed containers that are able to withstand certain pressure indicators.
Required parts and elements
In order to independently make a high-quality and productive compressor for airbrushing, it is worth preparing the following details:
- The compressor itself is from a failed refrigerator.
- Powder extinguisher.
- Pressure switch.
- Gas reducer, which can be adjusted if necessary.
- Pressure gauge.
- Special safety valve.
- Lots of connecting hoses.
- Fuel filter from a car.
- Adapter kit.
- Clamps.
- Platform.
- Quality fasteners.
If there is no old refrigerator, you can purchase a compressor on the market from professionals who are engaged in work related to the repair of refrigerators.
It is worth noting that such parts from refrigerators can be of two types - rotary and piston. If there is a certain choice, preference should be given to the piston one, since it has a relatively simple design, but it is considered more reliable.
Modern piston units are usually equipped with three special tubes. One of them is designed for pouring oil into the device, the other two for circulating the air mass. To determine which one is which, it is enough just to bring your hand to them.
Preliminary work
The device of such a plan consists of a high-quality engine that spins the piston shaft and flywheel, they, in turn, pump air into the cylinder. During the assembly process, it is required to ensure that two valves are present at the end of the cylinder at once. One of them is designed to pass air masses, as for the second, it goes outside. Before assembling the compressor, the following steps must be taken:
- Clean rust with a special converter;
- Thoroughly lubricate the piston, shaft;
- After removing the valve plate, to check all seals and piston stroke present;
- It is equally important to check the operation of the valves.
Refrigerator motors usually have their own lubrication system, so you just need to fill it with special oil. This can be done through a special tube.
Features of working with the receiver
The capacity for the receiver is required to choose one that has a volume of at least 20 liters. If a 10-liter receiver is quite enough for an ordinary refrigerator, then just such a volume is needed for a high-quality airbrush. To get a receiver of this size, you can connect two containers using a professional welding machine. In addition, you can use a special cylinder taken from a conventional fire extinguisher.
With the selected capacity, the following processes are required:
- Drill holes that are designed to connect the receiver to the air supply and directly to the airbrush itself. If it was decided to use a more simplified version, one hole would be enough, to which, therefore, a special water supply cross is screwed.
- A cavity made of metal must be very carefully cleaned from the results of the drilling. A similar element is processed using a rust converter.
- By means of cold welding and hoses, the tubes from the installed crosspiece must be connected to a pressure gauge and the air mass supply must be checked.
- Without exception, all parts must be fixed strictly on one platform. It can be a sheet of metal or chipboard.
It is worth noting that high-quality airbrushing requires exceptionally clean air, so a special filter must be put on the inlet of the installed engine. If necessary, you can do it yourself, using several layers of paper at once.
This device during use will often have to be turned on and off, especially when the pressure gauge shows the required pressure level. To simplify this process, you can purchase a simple shutdown relay at a special hardware store.
The main advantages of the compressor
Homemade compressor for airbrushing has many advantages. These include:
- Affordable cost, this equipment will cost an order of magnitude less than the factory model;
- The noise level is an order of magnitude lower than that of a compressor that is sold on the modern market;
- All nodes and elements of such a home-made installation present in the composition, if they fail, can be quickly and without any problems repaired.
All this says that making a compressor for airbrushing with your own hands is an order of magnitude more profitable than purchasing a similar production analogue.
An airbrush is a device whose principle of operation is based on spraying paint with an air jet. It began to be used as early as the 19th century, when airbrushing was just beginning to be used by masters to create picturesque paintings. Now this pneumatic tool is used both in creativity and in construction or design, for painting and painting surfaces of different sizes.
Great tool for car airbrushing
Airbrush + autocompressor.
I'll make it clear right away that it's a failure. I wanted to try - I tried. The maximum that can be painted like this is ...
Assembling the airbrush yourself
The design of this device is quite simple, so it is not at all difficult to assemble an airbrush with your own hands for a person who has some idea of \u200b\u200bits principle of operation. To organize such a unit as a homemade external mixing airbrush, you will need the following elements:
- body and stem from a ballpoint pen;
- a small container with a tight-fitting lid;
- a tube from a hospital dropper;
- air pump.
We remove the head of the rod, and wash the rod itself until the ink is completely removed. Next, we move on to the container: it is necessary to make a hole in its lid so that the prepared rod clearly enters it. We insert the rod, without bringing it to the bottom of the container by about 5 centimeters, and fix it with hot glue or epoxy glue.
Homemade airbrush powered by a car pump? We fix the free edge of the rod at an angle of 90 degrees to the handle body: our task is to ensure the direction of the air that will exit the handle body from the side of the narrow hole towards the end of the rod.
The reverse end of the handle is connected to the pump using a tube from a medical dropper. The assembly of the airbrush is finished and now you can check how it works. We fill the container with paint or a solution with which it is supposed to treat the surface. Air is forced into the handle body, as a result of which a zone with reduced pressure is formed at the outlet. Due to this pressure, the paint moves up the rod, where it meets the air flow, spraying occurs.
The size of the ink jet changes if you change the distance between the rod and the outlet of the pen. Such an airbrush cannot be used for fine work, but it is quite suitable for acquiring general skills and getting acquainted with the principle of work, as well as performing some simple work.
The simplest design, not for professional painting
The airbrush pump plays a very important role. It is necessary to select the appropriate compressor if the goal is to achieve good coloring. In addition, this device is selected taking into account the type of spray gun and its purpose.
To work with small items, you can take an autocompressor, and if the amount of work is large, such as painting walls or a car body, you need a high-pressure compressor.
Mounting such a device is easy. With enough knowledge, a sufficiently high-quality compressor for airbrushing with your own hands can be made even in your garage. A home-made high-pressure compressor gives up to 10 atmospheres and is able to ensure the operation of any pneumatic tool.
But the container is chosen one that can withstand the appropriate pressure - a fire extinguisher or a welded pipe fragment.
Making an Airbrush Compressor
First of all, you will need a serviceable compressor from a broken refrigerator.
If possible, it is better to take this device made abroad: such a compressor, unlike a domestic-made unit, makes less noise and is more economical.
Most likely, along with the compressor, it will be possible to take a pressure switch, and a receiver will also come in handy.
This is a fairly simple way to make a compressor - so you do not have to carry out turning work, connect certain elements by welding. Another, sometimes decisive, factor that pushes the craftsman to organize a homemade compressor is the minimum cost.
So, we remove the unit from the refrigerator and at the same time dismantle the relay, if it is also in good condition. Keep the compressor free of debris or small debris. Next, you need to get a container for the receiver.
A hydraulic accumulator from a 24-liter water pump is best suited for this purpose. Together with it, it will be necessary to purchase a pressure switch RDM-5 at the hardware store. You will also need an emergency valve with a pressure sensor. Despite the fact that the relay is designed to operate at pressures up to 2.8 bar, it maintains trouble-free operation up to 6 bar.
An emergency valve is installed in case of automatic failure.
In order to assemble the airbrush compressor together, you will need additional adapters and fittings. Some additional details are also needed:
A non-return valve must be installed in front of the receiver. It is attached to plywood. An oil and moisture separator regulator is also attached there, as well as a compressor with a starting relay. Install two filters: one on the inlet pipe, the second between the compressor and the receiver. At the bottom of the structure there should be a switch-on relay, and a check valve at the inlet.
Use sealant where necessary.
Diaphragm pump compressor
A mini airbrush compressor can be built from a car pump at no extra cost. Of course, it will be inferior to professional devices in terms of performance, but it is quite suitable for processing small parts.
An airbrush with a membrane-type compressor has a lower cost, and the choice of such a unit is justified if it is necessary to perform small-scale work that does not take a long time.
The membrane compressor supplies air due to the vibrations of the membrane and can supply pressure up to 3.5 atm. In the most general case, the airbrush is connected to a membrane compressor via a hose. The system must be supplemented with a receiver in order to avoid pulsations in the air flow, due to which the paint can be unevenly distributed.
For this purpose, you can use a regular five-liter plastic canister. An automobile expansion tank is also suitable, due to the presence of outlet pipes, its installation will be much easier. The hoses are put on the pipes, fixed with clamps and the compressor can be used for its intended purpose.
Additional Information:
On a plywood sheet or chipboard plate, we bolt the receiver tank, the repaired compressor, the starting relay and the oil separator regulator. The filters are mounted on the inlet pipe, between the compressor and the receiver. A check valve is also mounted at the inlet, and a relay is placed below to turn it on.
- with external mixing. This is the easiest type of airbrush to assemble and operate. It is these devices, as a rule, that are assembled by hand (in this case, the part of an old vacuum cleaner or the most ordinary ballpoint pen can be taken as a basis). This type of airbrush is intended mainly for painting large surfaces and is perfect for creating a background image on a car;
Airbrush with external mixing
- with internal mixing. This is a more complex type of airbrush. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that the mixing of air with paint occurs directly inside the tool, the body of which is represented by a special spray head.
Airbrush with internal mixing
With the help of the regulator I raise the pressure - it became better. Several trial attempts - and it becomes clear that the pressure in the range from 2.0 to 2.2 atm is necessary and sufficient. It is this range that perfectly allows you to keep this receiver, but if you constantly bleed air through a completely open airbrush, there is no longer enough air.
First of all, you need to assemble the cartridge and needle retainer. You need to make it from a syringe, a gel pen refill, a fountain pen spring and a bolt. Remove the piston from the body, lower the spring inward (it should be next to the thin nozzle), make a hole in the rod and insert the bolt, and they should be perpendicular to each other.
This design is subsequently inserted into the body.
The simplest design is an airbrush connected directly to a diaphragm compressor hose. Given the pulsation of the air flow created by the pump, the layers of paint will lie unevenly. To avoid this, it is necessary to include at least the most primitive receiver in the system.
Do not forget that you should also have a container for paint (well, for example, a jar with a lid that is convenient for the hand). And for greater convenience, you can make something like a paint supply valve. To do this, it is necessary to drill a hole with a diameter of about 3 mm in the handle body.
When you close the hole with your finger, the air will flow as it should - through the nozzle, a vacuum will be created at the end of the rod, and the paint, rising along the rod, will splatter. If you remove your finger from the hole, then all the air will pass through it and no splashing will work.
I have been using a nebulizer inhaler for the last 7 years. Practical, convenient, you can work for a long time, although it heats up of course. At the same time, when Gd forbid someone is sick, the airbrush is replaced with a standard mask and the device is used for its intended purpose. Works quietly.
There is absolutely no oil in it. The pulsation of the flow is equalized in the hose, the receiver is not needed. All junk is removed in place of the mask, inside the case.
Works quietly. The sizes are small. There is a handle on top, you can carry it.
The cost of about 3500 rubles, has long paid off.
And the colleagues whom I convinced to use this unit are also satisfied.
So there is an alternative.
The only drawback is that dual action airbrushes cannot be worked with. However, the latter need a proprietary compressor.
Car owners have recently begun to often use airbrushing - each of them dreams that among the many vehicles his car would be special. Airbrushing is the application of a pattern to the body with special paints using an airbrush. Such work can be done not only by professional artists, but also by ordinary motorists.
How to make airbrushing with your own hands for beginners? You can use stencils. But to make the images beautiful and lively, expensive tools are required. Luckily, there are more affordable options…
