new again scrapper..plasma for compressor?

There's not much oil in them.

I haven't had any problems. It isn't volatile like gasoline. I have set a few wire harnesses on fire though. Also, I recommend setting up a fan to blow the smoke away.

I can back that up. All I've run into is plastic and insulated wire catching on fire. Having a fan is very useful.

I thought I'd add a little bit more. I have a Chinese unit like IdahoScrapper said he had. It works and cuts fine, but I do go through consumables like crazy! I would say I've cut about 10 tons of compressors with it...and it hasn't broken yet. If this is going to be a regular thing for you, I'd suggest getting a quality machine.

Next, each type of compressor has a different percentage of copper. So it might not even be worth it. Here is what I found off the top of my head (I don't have the exact numbers here in front of me)

1. Reciprocating from AC units 6%
2. Scroll 6%
3 Reciprocating from refrigerators 8.5%
4. Rotary 11.5%

The easiest to do are the reciprocating. Scroll aren't even worth doing for me at all because they require more cuts and are hard to handle. Rotary aren't usually very heavy and require a lot of cuts as well...plus the windings get hit and makes it difficult to pull them from the stator.

i think it was freonjoe too. thanx