Processing refrigerator compressors (pics) - Page 3

Originally Posted by freonjoe

Thanks Admin!

I cant find your pictures.. at 1 time you explain to me about using the plasma cutter to cut those compressors open.. what are you also using a table saw to cut those egg open because I'm still trying to convince my dad that the plasma cutter is the way to go.. right now I'm using a grinder to cut the shell open and to cut the copper and I'm just digging it out with a screwdriver..I did pick up a couple of seal pulllers from Napa like you told me to..im supposed to be picking up a plasma cutter tomorrow so I'll be getting back a hold of you to let you know how my cutting is going.. your pictures would be such a huge help so I can show my dad to convince him that someone is actually using a compressor I mean a plasma cutter to do this.. thanks for your time freon

Originally Posted by Rambro

I cant find your pictures

The pictures are in his very first post of this thread.

Rambro, if you have any questions, just PM me.

what is the point processing these, dont the yards just buy them as motor/transformer grade anyway at 25 cents pound, i dont like the idea of mixing sparks with oil if i dont have to

Jg, none of the yards in my area pay more than .07 a pound for them.

they buy them here for $300 ton 15 cents pound vs 24 cents for electric motors
Sealed Units/Compressors (Drained) $300
Electric Motors $480

due to the lost weight id be losing money by processing them

Jg, I pay .15 a pound for them and make money. What numbers are you using?

Originally Posted by freonjoe

Jg, I pay .15 a pound for them and make money. What numbers are you using?

i guess that is why the yard buys them as-is for 15 cents pound, like you say there is still money to be made

personally i will be selling them as is, i know what my time is worth

Originally Posted by jghilino

i guess that is why the yard buys them as-is for 15 cents pound, like you say there is still money to be made

personally i will be selling them as is, i know what my time is worth

I get closer to 20 cents so definitely selling as is.

Freon Joe;

Thanks for the tutorial. Pics truly are worth a thousand words. I would like to ask you a couple of questions....
How do you recover the Freon?

Do you use the same saw and cutoff wheel to crack open the cases as you do for cutting off the copper?

I have hundreds of pounds of transformers laying around, and have been trying to decide if I could cut the copper off with a chopsaw and then poke the rest through. you have given me some great ideas!!!

any idea what that oil is, i know transformers are filled with mineral oil so maybe the same?

Jg, it's a combination of Ester oil, mineral oil and synthetic. All I know is that the bio-desiel guys stand in line for it.

CFoote, I use Apion recovery pumps for the refrigeranf and a plasma cutter to cut open the compressors. If I could ever figure out how to a vidieo, I would make one showing the whole process.

Well, your pics there do a pretty fine job as it is...I appreciate your willingness to share!!!

Bear, my yard calls it field copper because of the enameling on it. Some smelters don't want it mixed into the #2 copper. I know it's priced .10 a pound less than #2. But then I don't have to clean off the tie strings or plastic either.