Create Your Own Vacuum Pump at Home with an Old Refrigerator!

Making a vacuum pump from a refrigerator is not only simple, it can save you a lot of money and time. And, with a few basic tools and supplies, you can have a reliable vacuum pump for a relatively low cost.

This guide will show you how to make a vacuum pump from a refrigerator using a compressor, a syringe, and a manometer. All of these items can easily be purchased from a local appliance store, auto parts shop, or from an online retailer.

You’ll need a sharp pair of cutting read and a 10 cm long piece of tubing. These are essential, as you don’t want the metal dust from a saw to enter the unit via the tubes. The tubing will be used to connect the compressor to the syringe, and the manometer to the regulation and possibly the bag, when required.

Next, you’ll need to seal the tubing at the ends for transport. This will help to ensure the airtight protection of the unit during movement and storage.

Next, you’ll need to leave the oil inside the unit. By doing so, you’ll ensure that no Freon is released into the environment. Take extra precaution when handling the refrigerant-containing oil, as it can heat up quickly without proper lubrication.

To complete your vacuum pump, you’ll need a glass syringe and a rubber tube, which can be purchased from a pharmacy or medical supply store. The rubber is to protect the glass syringe and will act as a regulator in the set-up. A manometer, available at auto parts stores, can also be used to properly set the depression valve.

Before assembly, you’ll want to understand the basic principle of your vacuum pump. When the compressor is connected, vacuum pressure will move the piston of the syringe up and, in turn, will release the pressure on the micro-switch until it reaches the off position. The piston then goes back down, due to vacuum pressure leaking, pushing the micro-switch back on.

You must also build a simple box out of plywood for any hazardous parts. Then, an isolated box should be placed on top of this box for the electrical junctions. This will be helpful for later maintenance.

You’ll have to place the unit firmly on a wooden plate with the rubber damper that came with it. Then, cut the tubing for the in and out tubes, making sure to leave a vertical tube between the two with a ping-pong ball at the end. The ball will act as an oil recuperator.

The vacuum tube should be connected to the inlet of the regulation through a T, while another T should be used to attach the manometer. Seal all of the links with silicone and ties, and dry before testing.

The procedure may seem daunting, but it will save you money in the long run. With a bit of assembly and testing, you can have your own reliable vacuum pump that can save you time and money.
Building a vacuum pump from a refrigerator doesn’t have to be hard as long as you have the right components and some mechanical aptitude. A fridge vacuum pump is low-cost and practical. Here’s how to build it.

Start by gathering the necessary materials and tools, such as a pair of cutting pliers to cut the tubing and a glass syringe from a pharmacy or medical supply store. You’ll also need a vacuum manometer from a car supply store, rubber bands and ties, and the Freon-containing oil already in the refrigerator.

It’s important to leave the oil inside the refrigerator and not spill any. You’ll also want to leave about 10 cm of tubing on either side to accommodate for transport and cutting. Seal the tubing at the ends for transport.

Next, build a small box from plywood that will contain the hazardous parts. Mount the box securely on some kind of platform and cut the tubing to 8 cm. Identify the in and out tubes of the compressor by using the compressor and being careful not to spill the oil.

Fix a 20 cm tube to the out tube and guide it vertically on the same size piece of wood. Then, attach a ping-pong ball to the end of the tube and drill a small number of holes in the ball to allow air ventilation. This ball will serve as your oil recuperator.
Connect a vacuum tube to the inlets side with a T, ensuring one tube connects to the bag while the other goes to the inlet of the regulator. Similarly, connect your manometer using a T and make sure it’s secure to prevent potential air leaks.

Securely mount a glass syringe with rubber bands created from a bicycle tube. Make sure to limit the piston movement for the syringe so that it can press the microswitch completely on, but not any lower. This can be done with a nails on two sides.

Finally, seal all holes and connections with silicone and secure with ties. Once it is all dried, test and troubleshoot your unit to ensure it works properly.

Now that you’ve built your own custom vacuum pump from your refrigerator, you may want to fine tune the settings and use it with various projects. It’s important to remember not to over pressurize the system as this will cause the foam core to collapse. With a maximum vacuum depression of -0.4 bar, you can easily make sure your vacuum pump works properly and is ready for use.