Compressor for airbrushing from the refrigerator motor. Instructions for making a homemade compressor for an airbrush Compressor for an airbrush from a car
A man can collect and fix anything. And the more difficult the task, the more desire to work may arise. One of such difficult tasks can be a compressor for an airbrush with your own hands, which is not always easy to assemble. Despite the fact that it looks very serious, this will not scare the real lover of technology.
As a rule, the work is based on the compressor, which was previously removed from the old refrigerator. Sometimes they take a car electric pump, and a fire extinguisher comes to the aid of some craftsmen.
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. Globally, the main advantage of a "hand" compressor is aesthetic. It's always a pleasure to work with a personal assembly machine. The feeling that it was you who made this compressor really sets you up for work.
In addition, in most cases (when a refrigeration compressor, a fire extinguisher or an electric pump of a car is taken as a basis), there is a low noise level during operation, while the purchased one can make a very loud noise.
As for the price, the cheapness of a home-made 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 "manual" 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 a receiver, in principle, is not needed. This reduces the cost of assembly costs.
But modern painting conditions require the best technique, so a double-action airbrush is used. It controls the air flow, so a receiver is essential.
Directly compressor
The most popular option is to take it out of the refrigerator. Websites selling refrigeration equipment will help you choose the technical side of the compressor you need. The most important criterion when buying such a compressor is the price. The air discharge 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 drums or canisters for these conditions. The first option for making a good receiver is a fire extinguisher. A pressure accumulator, oxygen cylinder or propane cylinder 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 reliably connect all transitions and nodes for high-quality painting in the future and follow clear rules:
Don't forget the adapters. To increase the tightness, you can cover the joints with poxipol.
Stage three: assembly in two stages
The main problem with the first part of the assembly is the assembly 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 the control.
- Leave only the internal mechanics.
- Select adapters with female thread for the remaining outputs. Press down with an adjustable wrench. It is not necessary to screw up to "failure", as there is often a mismatch with the adapters.
It is enough to make a secure grip and lubricate everything with poxipol or cold welding.
The second stage of assembly is needed 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, oak board or chipboard is used as a support. 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 curbstone to store everything you need for painting (directly paint, nozzles, etc.). You can also download spare parts (adapters, nuts, keys) there.
Switching on moment
Reassurance with automatic switching off and on means that the connection line must necessarily go through the relay. It is necessary to study the instructions supplied with the compressor. This is especially important as it works in unfamiliar environments. It is often necessary 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 zero wire can go in two directions. If there is a ground wire, we leave it, if not, we connect it to the ground terminal on the relay. The second option is better.
As a result, we get protection using zeroing. Then the phase and neutral wires go to the starting drive of the compressor. According to the indicated diagram, the wires are connected to the required 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, plumbing gaskets, FUM tapes, etc .;
- Chipboard or board for the stand.
This is a sketchy list, but it covers all major compressor parts for painting. In addition, the entire product can be driven into a box or case, built a lid or otherwise decorated and given a solid and professional look. As mentioned above, in order to get a compressor, it is not necessary to break the refrigerator. Automotive electric pumps are often used and give good results. But their assembly system is slightly different, and there are more difficulties in connecting to the power supply and cooling system.
The airbrush has gained wide popularity for the colorful design of car bodies. In renovation work, it is used to paint surfaces. Compressors for airbrushing are widely used in the reconstruction of architectural buildings and structures.
How an airbrush works
An airbrush is a pneumatic paint spray tool. The principle of operation of the device consists in spraying the coloring composition with a directed jet of compressed air.
There is a special container for storing and supplying paint. The compressed air is supplied through a flexible connecting hose. One end of the hose is connected to the tool. The other end is connected to a compressor.
Airbrush construction consists of 3 elements:
- Paint spray gun.
- Compressed air source.
There are two types of pistols:
- with external mixing of the dye mixture;
- with internal paint mixing.
An external mixing device is used for painting large areas. It has the simplest design.
Internal mixing units are equipped with a multi-function nozzle and valve plate. These airbrushes are complex. Used in artistic painting for complex work.
It is quite simple to make a compressor for airbrushing with your own hands, but you need to know the design and principle of operation of the device.
What elements does the compressor consist of?
The device is necessary for the generation 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. They are made of metal or durable plastic.
In self-made installations of low power, canisters, 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 explosion risk requires equipping with instrumentation.
Air pump
Designed to pump air masses into the receiver. It is a low-power piston engine. When the piston moves, another portion of compressed air is pushed into the device.
For the manufacture of a home-made compressor for an airbrush, engines from refrigerators, cars, vacuum cleaners, and hair dryers are used.
Technical equipment
Serves for the 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 control and measuring equipment.
The connecting equipment is rubber or plastic connecting hoses.
Base
The base is a metal frame structure. It serves as a support 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 following materials are required for an airbrushing compressor:
- electric motor;
- receiver;
- pressure switch;
- manometers;
- flexible connecting hose;
- adapters (if necessary);
- plumbing gaskets;
- 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 performance of the valve plate.
Assembling a homemade receiver
To assemble the mechanism, use a receiver with a capacity of at least 20 liters. An empty gas cylinder or dry powder fire extinguisher is used as a container.
To manufacture the device, the following works are performed:
- Remove the shut-off 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 crosspiece.
- One outlet of the crosspiece is connected to an additional cylinder through a ball valve.
- A safety valve is connected to the other outlet.
- A second M15 crosspiece is attached to the side exit.
- A manometer is connected to one outlet of the crosspiece.
- 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 connected to the outlet of the reducer for connection to the airbrush.
The assembled circuit allows efficient use of engine power. The high efficiency of the installation allows you to connect an additional consumer.
A safety valve serves as protection against overpressure. When the limit level is reached, the protective mechanism releases excess air to the outside.
The construction of a compressor for an airbrush is a complex and labor-intensive process. The assembly of the unit requires the skills of locksmithing and turning. A specialized tool is required to manufacture the device.
The idea of \u200b\u200bwhich was the article from the great and powerful "Internet". Once I saw a homemade compressor from a fire extinguisher, I caught fire with the idea and for a long time (because there was no urgent need) I collected the components. Which includes:
1. The engine from the refrigerator is the compressor itself!
2. Receiver - 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. Reducing pressure reducer - so that the outlet air flow is uniform and adjustable.
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. The filter is gasoline (automobile)
8. All kinds of tees, couplings, adapters, etc. etc. Since the connection to the compressor is not standardized and many options can be used.
9. Well, wires and hoses.
Unfortunately, there are no photos of the phased assembly. But the final result shows what was connected to what and how!
This option is not yet finished, since a frame made of 15x15 mm tubes will be welded under it.
My version of the compressor was made for an airbrush. Its working pressure is about 2 bar. Therefore, the tank from the reagent for filling the air conditioners was enough for the receiver (its maximum pressure is 3.2 bar).
The engine was connected 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, must remain sealed, if not, close it with a plug.
Modern high-quality painting equipment, which is intended for airbrushing, is presented in large quantities on the modern market. This makes it possible to carry out a variety of types of work related to painting any surfaces, ranging from various models of serious military equipment to the body of a vehicle.
Many masters and car owners are well aware that it is possible to purchase airbrushing compressors only 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
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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 rather complex pneumatic tool that can be used in modeling and during 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 present, in particular the compressor. It can be purchased, and if you have the necessary tools and equipment, you can 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. Equipment of such a plan consists of several elements:
- An air pump that 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 reducer, 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. In its capacity, any device can act that is able to inject air masses, thereby creating a working pressure for high-quality operation of the airbrush.
It is not necessary 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 broken refrigerator will do. You can also use a special membrane compressor from a vehicle. It is the second option that should not be purchased, since it is characterized by insufficient performance and power indicators.
Typically, many people use old, no longer used fire extinguishers for a device such as a high-pressure airbrushing compressor. 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 efficient compressor for airbrushing, it is worth preparing the following details:
- The compressor itself from a failed refrigerator.
- Powder fire extinguisher.
- Pressure switch.
- Gas reducer that can be adjusted if necessary.
- Pressure gauge.
- Special safety valve.
- A large number of connecting hoses.
- Fuel filter from the car.
- Adapter kit.
- Clamps.
- Platform.
- Quality fasteners.
If you don't have an 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, since it has a relatively simple design, but it is considered more reliable.
Modern piston units are usually equipped with three special pipes. One of them is intended for pouring oil into the device, two others for circulation of air mass. To determine which of them is which, it is quite enough just to raise your hand to them.
Preliminary work
A device of such a plan consists of a high-quality engine that spins the piston and flywheel shaft, which 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 intended for the passage of air masses, as for the second, it comes out. Before assembling the compressor, the following steps are required:
- Clean rust with a special converter;
- Thoroughly lubricate the piston, shaft;
- After removing the valve plate to check all seals present and piston travel;
- 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 select one that has a volume of at least 20 liters. If a 10-liter receiver is enough for an ordinary refrigerator, then this 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 intake and directly by the airbrush itself. If it was decided to use a more simplified version, one hole would be enough, to which a special plumbing cross is therefore screwed.
- A cavity made of metal must be very thoroughly cleaned from the results of the drilling performed. A similar element is processed using a rust converter.
- By means of cold welding and hoses, the tubes from the installed cross must be connected to a pressure gauge and check the supply of air mass.
- 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 extremely clean air, therefore, 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.
During use, this device 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 simply purchase a trip relay from a special hardware store.
The main advantages of the compressor
A homemade airbrush compressor 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 the compressor, which is sold on the modern market;
- All units and elements of such a self-made installation that are present in the composition, if they fail, can be repaired quickly and without any problems.
All this says that making a compressor for airbrushing with your own hands is much 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 stream. It began to be used back in 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 areas.
Excellent device for airbrushing a car
Spray gun + autocompressor.
Let me explain right away that the idea is a failure. I wanted to try it - I tried it. The maximum that you can paint 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:
- ballpoint pen body and refill;
- small container, tightly closed with a 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 turn to the container: a hole must be made in its lid so that the prepared rod clearly fits into 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 opposite end of the handle is connected to the pump using a tube from a medical dropper. The assembly of the airbrush is completed and now you can check how it works. We fill the container with paint or a solution that is supposed to treat the surface. Air is forced into the handle body, resulting in a low-pressure zone at the outlet. Due to this pressure, the paint moves up the rod, where it is met by an air stream, and spray occurs.
The size of the ink torch changes by changing the distance between the rod and the pen outlet. Such an airbrush cannot be used for delicate work, but for acquiring general skills and familiarization with the principle of work, as well as performing some simple work, it will do just fine.
Simplest design, not for professional painting
The pump plays a very important role in working with an airbrush. An appropriate compressor must be selected if the goal is to achieve good coloration. In addition, this device is selected taking into account the type of spray gun and its purpose.
To work with small objects, you can take an autocompressor, and if the volume of work is large, such as painting walls or a car body, a high pressure compressor is needed.
It is easy to mount such a device. With enough knowledge, a sufficiently high-quality compressor for airbrushing with your own hands can be done even in your garage. A home-made high-pressure compressor gives up to 10 atmospheres and is capable of providing operation to any pneumatic tool.
But a container is chosen that can withstand the appropriate pressure - a fire extinguisher or a welded pipe fragment.
Making a compressor for an airbrush
First of all, you need a working compressor from a broken refrigerator.
If possible, it is better to take this device made abroad: such a compressor, in contrast to a domestic-made unit, emits less noise and is more economical.
Most likely, along with the compressor it will be possible to take a pressure switch, and the 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. Make sure that no dirt or small debris gets into the compressor. 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 him, you will need to purchase an RDM-5 pressure switch at a 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 uninterrupted operation up to 6 bar.
An emergency valve is installed in case of automation failure.
In order to assemble a compressor for airbrushing together, you will need additional adapters and fittings. Some auxiliary details are also needed:
A check valve must be installed upstream of the receiver. It is attached to plywood. An oil-moisture separator regulator is also attached there, as well as a compressor with a starting relay. Install two filters, one on the inlet tube and one between the compressor and receiver. At the bottom of the structure, there should be an on relay, and a check valve at the inlet.
Use sealant where necessary.
Diaphragm pump compressor
A mini compressor for an airbrush can be easily built from a car pump. Of course, it will be inferior to professional devices in 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 when it is necessary to perform small-volume work that does not take a long time.
The diaphragm compressor supplies air by vibrating the diaphragm and can supply pressures up to 3.5 atm. In the most general case, an airbrush is connected to a membrane compressor via a hose. The system must be supplemented with a receiver in order to avoid pulsation of the air flow, due to which the paint can be unevenly distributed.
For this purpose, you can use a regular five-liter plastic canister. A car expansion tank is also suitable, due to the presence of outlet pipes, its installation will be much easier. The hoses are put on the nozzles, fixed with clamps and the compressor can be used as intended.
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. Filters are installed 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 it to turn on.
- with external mixing. This is the easiest type of airbrush to assemble and operate. It is these devices that, as a rule, are assembled with their own hands (in this case, a 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;
External Blending Airbrush
- internally mixed... 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.
Internal Blending Airbrush
I raise the pressure with the help of the regulator - it's 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 hold 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 the needle retainer. You need to make it from a syringe, a gel pen rod, 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 then inserted into the housing.
The simplest design is an airbrush connected directly to the diaphragm compressor hose. Taking into account the pulsation of the air flow generated by the pump, the paint layers will be unevenly applied. To avoid this, it is necessary to include at least the most primitive receiver in the system.
Do not forget that you must also have a container for paint (well, for example, a jar with a lid that is convenient for your hand). And for more convenience, you can make something like a paint supply valve. To do this, drill a hole with a diameter of about 3 mm in the handle body.
When you close the hole with your finger, air will flow as expected - through the nozzle, a vacuum will be created at the end of the rod, and the paint, rising along the rod, will spray. If you remove your finger from the hole, then all the air will pass through it and no splashing will work.
For the past 7 years I have been using a nebulizer inhaler. It is practical, convenient, you can work for a long time, although it is heated of course. At the same time, when God forbid anyone is sick, the airbrush is replaced with a regular mask and the device is used for its intended purpose. Works quietly.
By definition, there is no oil in it. The flow pulsation is evened out in the hose, the receiver is not needed. All junk is removed to the place of the mask, inside the body.
Works quietly. The sizes are small. There is a handle on top, you can wear it.
The cost is about 3500 rubles, has already paid off for a long time.
And the colleagues whom I convinced to use this unit are also happy.
So there is an alternative.
The only drawback is that double action airbrushes cannot be used. However, the latter need a proprietary compressor.
Car owners have recently begun to frequently use airbrushing - each of them dreams that his car would be special among the many vehicles. Airbrushing is the drawing on the body with special paints using an airbrush. This work can be done not only by professional artists, but also by ordinary car enthusiasts.
How to do airbrushing for beginners with their own hands? You can use stencils. But for the images to be beautiful and vivid, expensive tools are required. Fortunately, you can get by with more affordable options ...
