Reed Valve for a Compressor

[aidank]

I need a piece of steel to make a reed valve for a compressor, 60mm long 15mm wide, 1.5mm thick what type of steel should I be looking for.

USA biscuit tin lid is hardly suitable.

 

[Pete.]

60 thou shim stock?

 

[Seadog]

I used shim stock to make a valve. It worked well for a few hours and then failed. I've never opened the head to see why, but I suspect that it needs to be hardened and spring steel.
Having said that, I suspect that shim steel can be heat treated.

 

[Olderisbetter]

I have used old feeler gauges as a bodge when stuck

 

[raph68]

You want spring steel, not mild steel. Shim stock will flap for a bit then crack. Easiest bodge is a feeler gauge blade, it’s already hardened and springy. Cut to shape, deburr the edges, job done.

 

[aidank]

You want spring steel, not mild steel. Shim stock will flap for a bit then crack. Easiest bodge is a feeler gauge blade, it’s already hardened and springy. Cut to shape, deburr the edges, job done.

thanks, what would be best practice for drilling that, how thick would I want for a compressor