How to Build an Air Compressor From Scratch! (Fridge Compressor | Complete Build!)

Long story short, my air compressor broke and it was time for a new one! I did some research and couldn't find many complete videos on how to build a homemade air compressor, and so, I decided to create my own. I hope you find this video useful!! DIY air compressors can be built for much less cost than simply buying one, and this was a fun excuse to do some playing with refrigerator compressors!
The video that I mentioned detailing how to determine which wire is which on your fridge compressor can be found here: • Wiring Refrigerator Co...
If you enjoyed this video, please consider giving it a "Like" and subscribe to my channel! That would really help me out! Thank you so much for your time!
Best regards,
-Tate

[@Andrew_Sparrow]

I built one to compliment my 'normal' compressor as it's ideal when working at night and you don't want to wake the house ;) Great for running small items such as airbrush, air duster, tyre inflator. Dehumidifiers are a great source for the compressor where I live (NZ); for some reason people are always throwing them out and you don't have the large fridge/freezer body to dispose of (Possibly more powerful too as mine would fill the tank in a few mins.) I just stuffed a cheap inline fuel filter in the inlet pipe as an air filter. Local model engineering society found it useful in powerering their steam models during open days as it's almost silent and the small amount of pressure needed to run the models it didn't cycle too often. I also added a fan pointing at the compressor, not sure if needed but I had one anyway and did keep the outside case of the compressor cool at least :) As a secondary bonus I used the inlet (after the fuel/air filter) as a vacuum line to draw bubbles out of resin (hooked up to a homemade vacuum chamber)

[@Ender_Wiggin]

Any chance you could give an update on the compressor. I really like these compressors but the oil loss problem is annoying. Did your loop solve the oil loss? Did you have to add an oil catch later to recirculate the oil?

[@johnrecycler8275]

There is an element of danger modifying and welding a pressure vessel without testing it. It would have been a good practice to fill the tank with water and apply pressure to it with air or your pressure washer if you can adjust the pressure on the washer. I would suggest a pressure of 1-1/2 times the pressure you plan on putting in the tank. You need to fill it with water so that if it ruptures it should not harm you. If you only use air to pressure test the tank it may explode and injure of kill you.

[@missingMBR]

Given the choice of PPE used when spray painting I'm thinking safety isn't high on the personal agenda.

[@dualxsurvival155]

Just out of curiosity how does the water make the test safer. Not being snarky I'm genuinely curious, love learning about things like this. If it's some effect that has a name I'd love to check it out.

[@flyback_driver]

@@dualxsurvival155 you cannot compress water like a hydraulic system but gases like air are compressible and increase the danger considerably. If you fill a tank with water and add pressure behind it the worst would be spraying water everywhere maybe splitting the tank. However, if you compress a gas to x psi if that vessel should rupture all of that stored energy will release sending shrapnel everywhere. Colin Furze did a cool video on hydroforming sheet steel using water to "blow up" 2d steel shapes creating 3d shapes. It greatly explains the concept and it's entertaining. Honestly, if you suspect a pressure vessel throw it in the fuck it bucket. $100 USD tops for a decent size tank and a peace of mind you cannot put a price on.

[@james10739]

I haven't really seen adjustable pressure washers but you could out a gauge on and just hold the trigger for short periods but if you are using a refrigeration compressor you can probably use it for testing before it can probably do over 300 psi if it's not for something like an ice maker that used r600 or butane it operats at pretty low pressures

[@avflyguy]

@@dualxsurvival155 You are compressing water instead of air. If a repture, water will absord the 'instant' release far more safely than compressed air. Example. Blow up a balloon with your mouth and fill another with water. Stick a pin or needle in each. There is your answer.

[@brendanrandle]

last time I looked into doing something similar it was recommended to change out the oil as the oil they come with goes acidic when exposed to moisture

[@pauligii]

There are multiple types of oils found in refrigeration that is true of POE but not mineral oil. You would still want to replace the oil. I believe they are all detergenting, if you notice he comments on oil coming out the discharge while It's running. Would be a good idea to replace the oil with a nondetergent air compressor oil to help limit that.

[@Whipped_Creamy]

Whatever you do for a living i hope you are making at least 200k a year otherwise you are grossly underpaid

[@jonathanshaw8868]

I'm surprised he didn't scavenge the old compressor for parts

[@leorbaratian6374]

Cool but just so u know harbor freight has a 125 gallon air compressor for 150. Super creative but not easy

[@NextStop2030]

Sometimes its about the journey and not saving a few dollars

[@Mattxjax45]

You actually welded your pressure vessel? O.o Do you like getting shot? You should stick to safety and just use holes already made. The whole reason to use an already made pressure vessel is for safety.

[@NextStop2030]

^^^^* Doesn’t understand welding or that air tanks rupture. They don’t not explode. Pressurized PVC explodes.

[@thepubliceye]

The pump is ludracated by pumping the oil out and back in again. That compressor will pump all the PAG oil out, then what?

[@IlkkaSavilampi]

I don't think the tank body and compressor body are electrically connected. The compressor body could become live and that could give you a nasty shock. Also, I would love to see a fuse in the system. Mains AC connections should be done by crimping and not by soldering only.

[@МаксимСтојановић]

great videos man, just a piece of advice, its a bad idea to solder wires before crimping them into a connector or screwing them into a terminal, because copper is springy and retains crimp/screw pressure, but solder flows like goo but much slower, so when you crimp/screw a soldered copper wire it will be tight, but when you check it a few hours later it will be much looser, which significantly increases resistance and can even make the wire fall out, so when you solder wires like you did with the two orange ones coming into the capacitor, add a bit more flux and blast the whole connector with a blowtorch so both wires solder to the connector itself, which will be even stronger than just crimping

[@박메롱-k9z]

The compressor in the video is a product that can operate continuously for a long period of time because the refrigerant that circulates in the closed circuit contains lubricant. Therefore, the compressor you built yourself will overheat due to the lack of lubrication oil recovery, and sooner or later it will fail due to the piston sticking.

[@DCarlson2882]

this was my first thought when I clicked on the video... wondering how long this worked for him.

[@lastwymsi]

This feels like information I wont need very often, but would be useful to know.

[@noahagnew6517]

is there any reason not to use the old parts from your compressor? I understand showing us all the parts you might need, but I'd use the old switch and tank from the old compressor.

[@randomn6473]

I would have if not for the videos sake. I wanted to start fresh.

[@noahagnew6517]

@@randomn6473 makes sense. Excellent video

[@joetri1970]

It looks like you can buy a compressor cheaper then all the parts and tools needed and have a warranty.

[@hatim9681]

Videos money from video in the long run

[@TheRustAdmin]

than

[@FisherTate]

Well lot of his builds are for people who want know this type stuff in case thair need make your own stuff out of things you can find or get used cheep if thair were no stores near or have no currency so they can trade for items to make compressor

[@f.k.burnham8491]

Why didn't you use the tank off the dead compressor?

[@onZampie]

Wouldnt be much of a diy then would it?

[@deathcogunit106]

I converted the air conditioning pump on my truck a few months ago, it works great and being engine driven keeps up pretty well. Problem is these spit all their oil out very quickly. All the methods online seemed half assed, with some people packing the pump with grease (Which will lead to bearing failure) and the rest adding a few squirts of oil every time they go to use it. I decided to copy how much larger shop compressors work and fabricated an oil catch can stuffed with 3d printed baffles and stainless steel wool with a tiny bypass line at the bottom. Pump gets filled with oil, oil gets caught in catch can. Bypass line at the bottom recirculates the oil back to the air intake. Bypass line needs to be sized pretty small since it's essentially an air leak but it works well once it is dialed in. I like using these old fridge compressors as vacuum pumps for small fiberglass/carbon fiber projects.

[@randomn6473]

Awesome! Thank you for input!

[@MrOrangutan]

It's crazy how you got all those things to move without touching them! What kind of magic are you using?

[@cryoine7194]

though this is old and I'm not sure if this was mentioned but you should use an off-loader valve as well, some pressure switches include them and this purges the discharge line of all pressurized air so starting up the compressor motor isn't as taxing on it, also in AC system the capacitor shifts the phase of the supply electricity creating the conditions needed to get the motor started.

[@TheDistur]

I took an old compressor head and plumbed it up to a propane tank. Works good. I think I read that fridge compressors burn themselves up after a while pumping air? Cool project anyway!

[@oncesaglik728]

Excellent project but where is the return valve? In a long time period, it will destroy the motor.

[@cameronkelley1268]

Every single one of you videos is a delight, keep 'em coming XD

[@randomn6473]

I'm so glad you enjoy! Thank you!

[@jacobmclin9398]

Could the same concept ne used to make a vacuum pump? Just in reverse?

[@randomn6473]

Definitely!

[@jukrvv]

Do you think a propane tank would be a viable tank for pressures like these?

[@randomn6473]

Absolutely!

[@BrianDaleNeeley]

This might be useful to remember. I pulled a mini-fridge out of a dumpster literal hours ago. If the fridge works, it will go in the garage. If not, in will become a vacuum pump.

[@vinylexperience77]

You do know it is not good practice to weld Black IP Malleable fittings?

[@nommy8599]

Why?

[@vinylexperience77]

@@nommy8599 Malleable iron cannot be successfully fusion welded and retain its unique properties; to put it another way, you can weld malleable iron as easily as you can weld gray iron, but in the act of welding you will convert some of the malleable iron casting into a gray iron casting.

[@nommy8599]

@@vinylexperience77 Ok, so it will become more brittle and likely to break where it otherwise would hold if not welded?

[@vinylexperience77]

@@nommy8599 yes that is right. A malleable fitting is cast iron that has been heat treated to soften it.

[@nommy8599]

@@vinylexperience77 Thanks!

[@brickct123]

at 11:52 ideally one should avoid soldering a connection before it's crimped if it's expected to be subjected to vibration. The solder will tend to fail, and it pushes the stress riser out the back of the ferrule of the terminal. NASA-STD-8739.4 and further their larger workmanship standards guide might be of value. You also might want to give those terminals a squeeze - I think you got the classic .81/.51 tab width thing going on.

[@chrisdaniels4674]

Don’t weld in a propane tank please and thank you. Commentators. If you do fill it with water.

[@rodboorman4989]

not sure if anybody has ask this, why dont you use the old tank and bit

[@nommy8599]

All I can think of at the end is "I hope he's going to cover those live terminals at the capacitor before one of the kids reaches under there..." Or is it 12V DC or something safe? (looked like you were wiring it into mains)

[@MaverickandStuff]

By the time you buy all the parts you could almost buy a small air compressor.

[@atomizer2665]

Why he didnt just remove the old compressor head and reuse the rest (reciever, pressure switch, relief valve etc) is a mystery. It would have taken a lot less time too. Tip: if the comporessor has a brand/model number you can look for the datasheet which will give you the displacement and quantity of oil it requires. Ditch the oil in the compressor and replace it with the correct quantity of a non foaming mineral oil, ideally Shell Tellus 68 or equivalent.. Dont allow the compressor to exceed 100 deg C which will shorten its life massively. Its also important to use an unloader to protect the valves even if the compressor is rated HST/HBP which is the best type to use.

[@videos40058]

10:50 you put the PTFE tape in the wrong direction

[@Keeganshero13]

No he didn’t

[@RightsCrispy]

great channel. thanks for sharing your knowledge. sent by ramsey

[@paulcahill5976]

Excellent video as usual, I've been looking at a few of your projects and find every one interesting. What I like most of all is your straightforward commentary. Keep up the good work, you're a shining example of goodness.

[@gtbkts]

Commenting for support

[@countryboy1209]

I wish I knew how to do this kind of stuff. I love your creativeness.

[@randomn6473]

Thanks so much! Learning is exactly why I make these videos.

[@moonolyth]

Question... any one???? I'm just wondering why nobody uses these simple two-wire switches rather than the larger box-type pressure switches. They are used on tire inflation pumps running 12v. But they make them in 110 - 120v also. ... .. . Air Pressure Switch 110-145 PSI Pressure Switch 1/8"-27 NPT High Pressure Air Compressor Switch Controller 120V AC

[@Luka1180]

I’d have made a DIY powder coating gun and powder coated every metal bit out of worrying about corrosion. And it would likely also make it possibly look more uniform more easily than when using water based spray paint, or even oil based.

[@cbaman1215]

Quite the late response a year after it’s been posted but do you think it would be safe with a 200psi output?

[@Luka1180]

Free fridge compressors or free fridges? Doubtful you'll find this in Denmark...

[@thurlravenscroft2572]

So cool, what would you estimate the SCFM to be on this?

[@michaelhamilton2738]

That’s awesome man. I was just thinking about making one a couple of days ago and this shows up. Will you have to add oil to the compressor over time?

[@bl4558]

"Scratch" would be casting pistons and shit. Actual fabrication. What you did was cobble together a bunch of existing parts. I guess a scratch baked cake in your world would be thawing out a Pepperidge Farms frozen cake and adding some ice cream.

[@sircharlesby7905]

thank you for just giving such a good presentation of everything you are doing and trying to do. it feels like a buddy showing you how to do a thing. kind of random but cool and useful.

[@johnrecycler8275]

The project has no feet, that build has a small footprint and is very tall, the refrigeration compressor is also extremely heavy. The whole unit is top heavy and it will tip over, it's an accident waiting to happen. There are no shortage of hacks on KZbin, by hacks I mean dangerous DIY guys waiting to make the Darwin Awards.

[@enitalp]

Perfect for air assist on a CNC and a laser. Could it also be used for a vacuum table? Everybody using noisy solutions needs to think outside the box. Or pay the colossal price "for nothing."

[@scottbattaglia8595]

I mean couldn't you get one of those non locking pressure relief valves set to go off at 120 or 150 I mean annoying it hissing randomly, but it could be done on the super cheap safely?

[@johnrecycler8275]

The water part of the test is called hydrostatic testing, it the tank ruptures under your test pressure of 1.5x the working pressure it will burst with with out making an explosion similar to cutting into plastic water jug. You would fill the tank to the top with water and if using air to pressure it stop adding air when you reach your test pressure, If the tank were to burst it would not send shrapnel flying, it would just leak water onto the floor. If you use only air to pressurize the tank and it were to rupture it would be explosive and send shrapnel everywhere just like a large overinflated balloon does when it ruptures and sends balloon fragments everywhere. It could kill you or severely injure you. All pressure vessels made and piping is hydrostatically tested,

[@janedesign5758]

Is it possible to build water Jet cutter machine, using propane cylinder + refrigerator like that?

[@WheezardX]

"From Scratch" Step 1, buy an air compressor. Step 2, build an air compressor. :|

[@jayk2k]

With one comment I saw that said that the fridge compressor runs with oil running through the fridge system and that you did not include that part and the video is now 3 years old , is this air compressor still running ? how often do you top it up with oil ?

[@seanmckay3392]

I tried to weld a fitting in my propaane tank so I could use the pressure switch but the problem is that I don't have a super nice welder i only have a flux core welder and it dosent produce the best welds and i go to pressure check the weld with air and i spry the weld with soapy water i see these little bubbles

[@timothywilliams2021]

So much cheaper and easier to use old compressor as the base for this. Welding to a pressure vessel is just not a good idea. If that tank ruptures it could kill you.

[@eagleeyeglobal]

How can I avoid getting the oil into the Air? Or how do I catch it so it can go back into the system. Otherwise, it is a question of time for the compressor to run out of oil then burn ?

[@elegy5727]

Dis thang will overheat and will fail dude, These things use the same refrigerant to move the oil through the engine and cool the compressor parts, if there is no refrigerant, the compressor coils are not going to be cooled and in the process it is not going to move the oil.

[@elite_shadower_6057]

I am trying to get my compressor on i don't know if it needs more oil or it's the motor that is seized but I am using it with out the capacitor and when I go to plug it on it just hums any advice anyone?

[@mmcbryar5216]

Couldn't you have just put that on your existing compressor tank?

[@dennisboyce813]

Check valve? Maybe I missed it or it's not necessary as it seemed to restart without problems.

[@GTECHEE]

How many minutes that compressor last before overheating?

[@muddygupps4330]

All of your videos have been very informative and well done. They really make me want to build.

[@Kenniii3]

You can always empty it yourself into the big blue sky tank by cutting the line

[@cosmefulanito5933]

You do not build an air compressor. You USE and air compressor.

[@nikolajc7617]

What do you do with the wire from the thermostat?????

[@blackravenforge1]

That thumb is healing up well.

[@walterleofric9906]

I took one out of a fridge for this project. The refrigerant used was listed on the side of the compressor. I pulled up the MSDS for my particular coolant and it was not harmful to people or the environment except when burned or in its compressed liquid state. No need to hire someone to remove it, I just (carefully) cut the copper line and let it vent.

[@Ezekiel-OffRoad]

I’m not even gonna finish the video an air compressor made out of one 120 V refrigerator compressor is the biggest waste of time and money especially if you build it like he suggest and don’t put a oil air separator to catch all the oil a refrigerant pump literally pumped out why ?with refrigerant it’s a closed loop bringing all that compressor oil mist back in to where came from at the minimum Using two refrigerator compressors might be the slightest bit useful for example if you live in an apartment or a trailer park like myself. Instead of building a useless novelty item there was a specific reason I built mine for light duty use with power tools and to air up the tires which I’m constantly on my vehicle I used primarily for off-roading

[@sKeM2k9]

.... u never use Teflon tape on a CGA fitting or any cylinder for that matter

[@alainbourgault1937]

I don't know that this project is worth it. I would be curious to know what was the final cost for a device that has the potential to blow up in your face. Any engineer worth is salt will tell you: "You don't f**k with a pressure vessel".

[@Whelessry]

Little bit of cringe on the screwdriver flare but looks like it turned out good. I have to do the same type of thing from time to time because of lack of proper tools. Well done! Definitely going to be making one of these

[@jblacks2711]

Can you use a heavy duty spray gun on it

[@emmettraymond3856]

Welding on that tank definitely creates stress points if not properly heat treated. I would want to hydrostatically test the hole set up before pressurizing with air. Also it seems like the flared copper tubing with the hose clamp on the discharge side of the compressor may be a weak point.

[@leonniceday6807]

Post about anything you build, regardless of whether there are already videos about that. The way you explain or make it could be better for other people.

[@pmnfernando]

does the pressure switch assembly needs to be solidly attached to the tank? can it be connected to it via an aproppriate hose? i ask because i want to assemble a small air compressor on my boat and i dont have such a regular space (if that makes sense), ie, the components need to be a bit "scattered".

[@davidleehue4644]

What size compressor should I use to power a 1 gallon tank my compressor motor just like yours had to be condemned but everything else is in good working order

[@simonwang8859]

The old vietnam generally rhyme because dime connoly chase pro a bright jet. ill-fated, rare police

[@limauais1670]

Gonna build one and leave the wiring to my wiremen

[@leevega9235]

Would this work with a 60 gallon tNk?

[@leon_mnl]

and hoe did you solve the oil that gets pumped out along with the air, these compressors need oil , so if you don’t have a return system you will run out and the compressor will die

[@joelforrest7193]

Can you build one for me please im from jamaica

[@fun2dostudio972]

Best car compressor: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jp_dfouLipaGY9U

[@superspecialty5169]

I can’t afford all those parts, either!

[@paulswarthout9967]

You should change the name of your video. You're not building an air compressor from scratch. You're starting with an existing air compressor and connecting it for your own needs. I'm looking for how to build an air compressor -- your existing black compressor -- from scratch.

[@Pumpingas420]

Pump, motor, switch, and tank. What more do you need?

[@paulswarthout9967]

​@@Pumpingas420 How to assemble them in a way that it works to compress the air.

[@XmallimuffinX]

It would be nice to have the total dollar value of the purchased parts listed for fast comparison showing the savings

[@superspecialty5169]

Don’t you mean “Short story long”?

[@carlcreary875]

Lovely. Cleaver man. What’s the size of the tank? Details please about the control tnanks

[@homemadetools]

Great work on this compressor. We shared this video on our homemade tools forum this week 😎

[@cspring1247]

You could have put a T and a valve on the inlet and let it double for a vacuum pump for AC work.

[@gabrieltanasa7589]

You have no idea what to do with the wires that lead from the engine to the fridge I think it's the wires that regulate the temperature and light in the fridge?

[@thespiritof76..]

You really need to put a safety disclaimer up because if somebody happens to grab a decent Pastor and thinks it's not clearly sensitive could Pay very dearly most capacitors are D.C.

[@Camwize]

I only understood the last part of your post but I was thinking the same. Only ac capacitors are non-polerized. The majority of ones you will come across are polarized.

[@ijustworkhere2171]

When they don't have the color air compressor you want 😁 good stuff man!

[@seeker9969]

what did you do to keep the oil in the compressor and not all ending up on the tank?

[@seanmckay3392]

solder a copper coil or metal hose coil going upwards might help just a suggestion

[@Gratitude6ixty9ine]

"I got this already emptied" lmao

[@richardjeun]

If I can get my hands on a giant propane tank, the kind you see at a propane store, I’d love to use this little compressor to fill it up. Then I will have a silent air compressor with a huge cfm.

[@seanmckay3392]

Yeah but I doubt it could actually fill up the whole tank without burning up

[@richardjeun]

You can do it in increments. I think those motors are designed for 100% duty cycle.

[@seanmckay3392]

@@richardjeun yeah but those motors arent meant to fill up tanks

[@TheRustAdmin]

Nice build! Do you have a circuit diagramme please?

[@micahmohr1619]

What kind of welding is this?

[@tonyvignale5408]

Who tought you to do All this stuff?

[@richardgoodwin190]

Hi what is the safe maximum working pressure you run the compressor at

[@captainkirk6623]

Where did you find the electronic check valve that was it at your local hardware store or did you buy it offline because I'm trying to make a copy of this myself and not very many places seem to have what I'm looking for

[@captainkirk6623]

I figured this design would be capable of operating a Torch from nobox7

[@kevinlewis9151]

For air volume, why not use old tank from old compressor or double tanks

[@diesockedeslebens6599]

Hey thinking of doing some hydrogen compression,would that work with a refrigerator compressor like that? Its important that the gas is not polluted by oxygen,it seems handy to have an input tube.

[@CohassetMA]

Hydrogen is a very difficult gas to put in a tank and keep it there. The size of hydrogrn gas is very small atoms and it seeps out of the tank. Roger Billings, former hydrogen enthusiast, finally ended up using a catalyst inside a tank to store it . Same idea as cork for storing acetylene in a tank. There may be a patent you can refer to regarding that. Patent has expired by now..

[@ciaranbrennan16]

Any idea what the CFM is?