Make Your Own Air Compressor Reed Valve

[petcnc]

In many occasions I have realized that modern tools have a life span as long as their warrantee lasts. This was also the case in my new 25 liters air compressor.



The compressor had a 3 year warrantee! And it worked flawlessly for exactly 3 years and an extra month.
Last month, when I tried to add air to a bicycle tube it started working continuously without raising enough pressure to do the job.

There the fun begins!

I opened the compressor head to discover that a horseshoe shape reed valve was broken in 3 pieces. I put some masking tape on it to establish its shape and work out a solution.



I started looking for a readymade one but nothing was available for the specific model.
I also looked for material to buy and make it but nothing was available locally.

I needed some raw material to fix it that has specific attributes:

A. It has to be a spring steel
B. It must be the same (or very similar) thickness
C. It must be available and cheap

After some head scratching and googling I found out that I had the material for years in my tool box!
Steel PAINT SCRAPPERS!



I sacrificed one of them scrapers...



...with a little help from my dremel and my Sheet Metal Cutting Shears I made two reed valves just to have an extra spare!



I was happy and proud that I managed to fix the tool but…

I noticed that the broken reed valve had many stains on it… particularly at the area where it broke...



Playing it safe I thought “Why not make a stainless steel reed?”

It was just a matter of finding the right material.

Stainless steel scrapers are readily available for a few dollars. I bought a set!



Again I sacrificed one and made another reed valve.



Here you can see from left to right the original, the stainless and the two steel ones I made.



I must admit the stainless material was by far harder and more difficult to cut and drill.

I had to use a modified concrete drill that I have sharpened as a regular HSS drill

Needless to say that the compressor works as new again!

Thanks for reading
Petros

 

[brino]

Hi Petros,

Great fix!
Thanks for sharing.

The original almost looks like copper or brass in your photos.

With three spares you should be good for a decade now.......if you can find them when you need them.....

-brino

 

[petcnc]

Hi Petros,

Great fix!
Thanks for sharing.

The original almost looks like copper or brass in your photos.

With three spares you should be good for a decade now.......if you can find them when you need them.....

-brino

Hi Brino!
The truth is that the original material was a funny metal that looked like brass but was prone to rust!
If I cannot find a spare whenever I need it I can always make a new one copying the one that failed! I have the know-how now he he he!
Petros

 

[MrWhoopee]

I'm the same way, if I can possibly fix it, I will. Just spent $100 for all the moving parts (including the motor) to rebuild a dryer I bought used 15 years ago.

 

[petcnc]

I'm the same way, if I can possibly fix it, I will. Just spent $100 for all the moving parts (including the motor) to rebuild a dryer I bought used 15 years ago.

I know what you mean!
I enjoy the journey (of fixing) not the arrival!
The compressor costs around $130 but I feel that I commit a crime if I throw it away for a part that costs only $0.5.
Moreover It is more challenging to make the part than just buy it and fit it in.
Moral of the story:
We have spent some $1000s for machinery and $100s for raw material to be able to make a part that costs a dollar (in most cases) BUT WE ENJOY IT
Petros

 

[FOMOGO]

Nice job Pitros. If my old washer and dryer ever stop, they will be repaired. The new stuff is junk, and way overpriced. Fortunately I don't require the latest greatest what ever, and prefer the pleasure of "making it work again". Mike

 

[Suzuki4evr]

I must still strip my comp and do what you did. Thanks for posting and showing that it can be done.....three times

 

[Suzuki4evr]

How much should the head bolts be torqued. I have a 50L direct drive but no specs on the torque

 

[petcnc]

How much should the head bolts be torqued. I have a 50L direct drive but no specs on the torque

I had no specs either! I just used common sense in torqueing. My practical approach to the matter: Whenever Iam in doubt I hold the spanner not from the end but close to the bolt and bolt it. I have never had a broken bolt this way!!!

 

[Flyinfool]

As with all bolts, tighten till the threads strip or the bolt breaks and back off a quarter turn.........

Find the size of the bolt and there are many torque charts online where you can get a good idea of the needed torque for that size bolt.