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BFB Samba Member

Joined: November 03, 2014 Posts: 3078
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Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2025 6:56 pm Post subject: DIY Judson |
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anyone ever made or considered making a Judson type supercharger?
I don’t figure it’d be to hard to do the machine work , its a pretty simple design. But id figure getting the right material for the rotor vanes would difficult?
I have a book, more like a homemade than production, that goes over modifying air tools to work as superchargers for small engines. Always thought that was a cool idea _________________ "how am i supposed to torque the rear wheel nut to 250 ft lbs??? " - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
Most experts aren't. |
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RWK Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2009 Posts: 1657 Location: S.W. MI
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Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2025 8:20 pm Post subject: Re: DIY Judson |
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I have used some of the garolite/bakelite products from McMaster for the one's I have done, flat and true to size.
And yes, just a simple pump. _________________ 73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530 |
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FarmerBill  Samba Member

Joined: July 25, 2017 Posts: 891 Location: New England
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Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2025 8:27 pm Post subject: Re: DIY Judson |
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| The vanes are phenolic I believe, probably with some sort of fiber or fabric reinforcement. I would imagine the trick is to get them dead flat and of equal weight. |
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BFB Samba Member

Joined: November 03, 2014 Posts: 3078
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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2025 11:12 am Post subject: Re: DIY Judson |
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Having used air tools for a few decades, ive rebuilt several and it seemed the vanes in those were fiber reinforced.
I wonder if nylon would be good? Ive read they use it for gears in rc cars and that it has a “lubricating “ type property and pretty heat tolerant too? _________________ "how am i supposed to torque the rear wheel nut to 250 ft lbs??? " - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
Most experts aren't. |
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RWK Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2009 Posts: 1657 Location: S.W. MI
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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2025 8:15 pm Post subject: Re: DIY Judson |
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Yes, the Garolite is a fiber/epoxy reinforced phenolic, nylon isn't typically used as vanes in pumps, use the material the vanes were originally designed with, engineering is already done. _________________ 73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530 |
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BFB Samba Member

Joined: November 03, 2014 Posts: 3078
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Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2025 10:07 am Post subject: Re: DIY Judson |
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surprisingly there's more info online than I thought there'd be, and apparently quite a few different manufacturers of the vane type superchargers which doesn't surprise me at all were just more familiar with the Judson in the VW world.
one place I read said "Judson's tend to use a version of Tufnol called Carp", someone else said they personally built one using carbon impregnated fiberglass.
I read a clip from an old article that looked to be from the 60's and guy stated that for higher boost, about 25 psi, one company used iron vanes and sleeves. which I thought would make sense, thats what's used for piston rings & cylinders. _________________ "how am i supposed to torque the rear wheel nut to 250 ft lbs??? " - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
Most experts aren't. |
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Dusty1 Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2004 Posts: 2237
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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2025 1:40 pm Post subject: Re: DIY Judson |
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I like phenolic impregnated linen.
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. _________________ "May you live an interesting life." |
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