Air compressor repair

[Jasonrkba]

I was given a vertical 20 gallon compressor for free that my buddy said runs but will not build any pressure. I plugged it in and immediately could tell something was not right. Long story short one of the reeds broke and was being smashed at the top of the piston. They made a rebuild kit for this but it's obsolete. Have any of you guys ever tried to make a read for one of these? I'm thinking of using a metal drywall putty knife. They are made with spring steel and about the right thickness.

 

[64poncho]

It’s worth a try, I would go for it!

 

[nedsim]

An option that may get you closer to the thickness of the original reeds is spring tempered shim stock.
https://www.mcmaster.com/shim-stock...rial~1095-spring-steel/shim-stock-form~sheet/
Or feeler gauge stock.
https://www.mcmaster.com/feeler-gauge-stock/material~steel/ready-to-use-feeler-gauges/

 

[Jasonrkba]

I may have gotten lucky. 10mm wide, 47mm long, .26mm thick. Or right at. When I put that info in eBay search engine it gives a harbor freight replacement that is a near match for $8.

 

[Jasonrkba]

Those reed's are a perfect fit.