How to - D I Y - Repair an air compressor intake reed valve

When one cannot find i part, make it!
After not being able to get a replacement reed valve, i did this little work around, still working today.
enjoy!

[@lennoxproductions2375]

perfect, would not have thought of using a feeler gauge. did as you suggested and it worked a treat. thanks

[@goingbonzo5923]

One of the two reeds broke in half. I discovered this after comp would not build pressure. I thought of a feeler gauge as well until it struck me that an old hacksaw blade would work. I cut a piece close to the size and used a pedestal grinder to finish it. Compressor works like a charm. The slight thickness is not a factor. Thanks for the great video.

[@roughas100]

Just fixed my 12v air compressor using your idea , ended up using 0.18 and 0.20mm. Great kiwi knowledge

[@smgeddry]

I had this very same idea to repair mine but haven't done it yet. Very glad to see someone else had done it and it worked! Thanks for the vid!

[@rickmelto6750]

ive used brake spacers .real thin fir car brakes ..works great

[@telstarvision1509]

brilliant, thanks for the tip & it works as i have just sorted the reeds out on mine.cheers

[@Imwright720]

I repaired mine using a feeler gauge. It had to be repaired 2x . I went with a thicker one the 2nd time. It worked fine. Mine had 3 holes you had to cover but same idea.

[@ronaldcash8492]

Do not let the air compressor stay outside in the weather and it will keep it lasting longer

[@ronaldcash8492]

Feeler gauge, good idea

[@caratcranker5874]

Hey great video! I replaced my 2 reid valves, but I used one of those flexi scrapers for putty Etc. The ones that come in a pack of 5 different sizes., [red handles]. If you put the Reid valve on the bottom corner, you only need 2 cuts, then some shaping to accurate size on a fine stone. The feeler gauge is a better idea, well done. Mine only lasted about 6 hrs, then broke. I need to pull it apart right now and use a feeler gauge..

[@ronaldcash8492]

These reeds have a tendency to rust if they do not have lubrication on them.

[@dubmob151]

perhaps it's good to periodically spritz something like WD40 into the air intake as a preventative measure. I had a fractured outlet reed valve on my compressor, and there was some trace evidence of corrosion that may have weakened it, eventually breaking under stress of use.

[@youtitta]

Thanks Mate!!

[@bigjim8088]

Ive fixed mine several times now with feeler gauge. I find that it is a bit brittle and I only get a few months use before having to replace it again. Have you experienced this. I thought about using a thinner gauge. Have you tried different thicknesses?

[@ckamarkothokeen]

nope, the one repair still works today, try a slighty thicker gauge of feeler to combat would be my suggestion. good luck thanks for commenting.

[@bigjim8088]

@@ckamarkothokeen thanks for getting back to me🙂

[@dubmob151]

you might find replacement reed valves on eBay or Amazon for less than the cost of a set of feeler gauges. trick is to sift through the listings to find the suitable one. The one I ordered was E, which seems to match the one that fractured on my Lidl air compressor. kzbin.infoWD7yWQDA5_A?feature=share

[@James-Vining-333]

Wow reminds me of myself and my garage. Maybe I need to start video recording myself doing whatever fix it items I may be working on to share.

[@dubmob151]

0:45 is that a feeler gauge being worn around the neck?

[@ckamarkothokeen]

nope, it's a greenstone

[@jorgeposadas1192]

" all sorts of fucking shit" isn't that the truth? LOL!!!!

[@caratcranker5874]

Oh, something else. Those thin gaskets can be made accurately out of a coke can. Just cut the top and bottom off, roll it out, flatten it, then trace the old onto the silver side up. Also, 2 tiny little dobs of Vaseline will hold the upside down valve in place.

[@coongoola]

Well bugger me, thanks Mark, I was about to buy a new compressor from Bunnings but I persevered and happened to stumble on your great video, and hey presto, it works like new again. My reeds weren't broken but they seem quite burnt but I cleaned everything including the gasket and it's all working again. Thanks from a fellow one-eye survivor of a nail attack 40 odd years ago. I've always had a one eyed view of things since then but it's all good now in retirement.

[@ckamarkothokeen]

you are very welcome, it was the reason why i posted it, such a simple cure, and no help from the manufacturers, so a bit of kiwi cunning did the job, have a great new years mate.

[@grantw.whitwam9948]

That compressor looks a lot like a Craftsman a friend just gave me, won't build much pressure. Great idea using the feeler gauges, too late for me, I already ordered the valves from E Bay.