So, I've found that I might be in the market for a "new" air compressor sooner rather than later - and I've had this idea on what to get next!
Many of us know that gasoline powered engines can be re-purposed into very effective air compressors, sometimes folks keep one cylinder bank running to spin the thing, sometimes they do what's in the YouTube video I've linked to... Which is basically what I have in mind.
To make a long story short, what I want to do is buy a beater engine on Craigslist, machine (I have a lathe) adapters which will go into the spark plug holes and end in a check valve, which will then join a manifold system that's plumbed into a 60 or an 80 gallon tank! The exhaust would be capped off, and just like the gentleman in the video did, I'd leave the carb up there only to hold the air filter which cleans the air to be compressed. I'd cut off the exhaust rocker arm portions, so the exhaust valves stay closed.
I'd run the thing with a 220 volt electric motor (maybe 2-3hp? 5? What do you think?) and a standard pressure switch, just like a normal air compressor.
If you're wondering "why", its because I'm tired if burning through poor quality commercial air compressors every handful of years (I'm on my third one... And I'm only 23 years old!!!). Also, because it would be a cool project for my welding show on Youtube.
Anyway - if I do this - I'm thinking a 6 cylinder engine would likely be enough - if not all the electric motor could run! I dont know, I'm just speculating right now but this would be a blast to make. Building this for commercial use in my business might be one of my whackiest ideas yet.
What do you think?
Video here
Many of us know that gasoline powered engines can be re-purposed into very effective air compressors, sometimes folks keep one cylinder bank running to spin the thing, sometimes they do what's in the YouTube video I've linked to... Which is basically what I have in mind.
To make a long story short, what I want to do is buy a beater engine on Craigslist, machine (I have a lathe) adapters which will go into the spark plug holes and end in a check valve, which will then join a manifold system that's plumbed into a 60 or an 80 gallon tank! The exhaust would be capped off, and just like the gentleman in the video did, I'd leave the carb up there only to hold the air filter which cleans the air to be compressed. I'd cut off the exhaust rocker arm portions, so the exhaust valves stay closed.
I'd run the thing with a 220 volt electric motor (maybe 2-3hp? 5? What do you think?) and a standard pressure switch, just like a normal air compressor.
If you're wondering "why", its because I'm tired if burning through poor quality commercial air compressors every handful of years (I'm on my third one... And I'm only 23 years old!!!). Also, because it would be a cool project for my welding show on Youtube.
Anyway - if I do this - I'm thinking a 6 cylinder engine would likely be enough - if not all the electric motor could run! I dont know, I'm just speculating right now but this would be a blast to make. Building this for commercial use in my business might be one of my whackiest ideas yet.
What do you think?
Video here