Processing refrigerator compressors (pics)

I was asked in an email about cutting up compressors so I thought I would create a thread on doing so. I started with 15 compressors with a total weight of 342 pounds. I ended up with 32.5 pounds of field copper, 2.5 pounds of oil and 306 pounds of what should be #2 prepared if I had a different yard to deal with. I ended up grossing around .33 a pound. It usually costs me .05 a pound to cut them up (.03 for labor and .02 for consumables and power) so my break even point is .28 a pound.

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your better at that then i am :)

I have too much practice at it Cory! It took 15 minutes to cut the tops off, 5 minutes to pull the windings out, 6 minutes to cut the end off the windings and 8 minutes to pull the copper out of the cores for a total of 34 minutes.

Corona, that's why I usually have my grandson do it!

15 compressors in 34 minutes? Haha, I "might" be able to get set up to start on the first one in that time ; )

That snow looks cold....I'm out.

Freonjoe I know I have read your old posts with you explaining the blade type in the tablesaw
but I can't remember what type of blade you use? Thanks!

Kbob, I use a 10" cutoff wheel from Lowes. Costs about 4 bucks and lasts about a week cutting 50-60 compressors.

I've been in some places where they have the masonry and the metal blades on the same rack, and it's easy to get them mixed up if you're not watching real close to be sure you're getting the metal kind

Last time I tried to take field wire in, they refused it because "they couldn't be sure what was in the load". Yeah, a 5 gallon bucket and you're too lazy to look.

Anyways I took it back home and been adding to it ever since. What do they pay for field copper? Looks like we use the same yard.

And do you remove the string/plastic?

Awesome post. Very inspirational

so what is the total you got for all the scrap? and would you consider melting the aluminum?

Mark, they pay 2.50 on the field copper and they don't mind about the string and plastic. I'm running a barrel in on friday if you want to mix it in with mine.

Happy, I only turn in copper once a month. Also my yard won't take any melted aluminum.

i get #2 for it here 2.75 but i get my bump which usually puts it over 3 depending on the managers mood

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Originally Posted by corycouch

depending on the managers mood

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haha!

What is "field wire" ?

Thanks for the offer Joe, but I don't have a decent pile yet.

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Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper

Thanks for the offer Joe, but I don't have a decent pile yet.

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id bet idaho that with joe around its hard for anyone to get a pile....... cept joe :)

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Originally Posted by Bear

haha!

What is "field wire" ?

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Wire found in the field? lol ;) Just kidding. I'd like to know also. That's a new term for me.
Also, freonjoe, Great thread! Great work you're doing , too. Best of luck to ya!!

I have gotten aluminum breakage price for the rotors,think the last time was .17 a pound.

Skyline, they call it field copper because of the varnish on it. Don't know why that makes a difference unless it flashs off when they smelt it.

Nice pictures Joe. I was wondering if your yard has a catagory for #2 copper wire? If so how does the field copper compare in price?

Ha joe the top of the picture is cut off ,what tool is that that you punch or drill the copper out of the steel houseing right now i am useing w-d and some elbo grease thanks :cool:

1956, sent a PM.

are all of those just from refrigerators? I get AC and dehumidifiers and they aren't all the same as the ones you have there

Happy, those are 1/4 and 1/3 horse piston compressors from refrigerators. Most of the window a/c's and PIAC's I get have rotary compressors in them. Outdoor condensing units usually have either a scroll or piston compressor in them.

would say then it is worth your time to break them down when you get 10 or more refrigerator compressors? I have been wondering that considering I see how much copper your taking out

Happy, refrigerator compressors yield about 9-10% copper. So a 22 pound compressor will yield 2 pounds of copper and 20 pounds of steel. You would have to crunch the numbers on that versus your yard's price on sealed units.

well... 2.85 Number 2 2.85x2 + .10x20= 7.70for each compressor.

Compared to .20x22=4.40.

The only way for it to be worth that is to have a lot of compressor waiting to be torn down.

X amount of compressors+Time+Material used on table saw(which is a good idea by the way)+Electricity=?

Did you give up on a grinder and decided to switch to a table saw? Is it safe to use as well? lol

Happy, I find the table saw faster and safer (never had a blade blow up on it yet) and I can cut most of the week on one blade. I only get shred price for the sealed units so it's almost a no brainer. That and my total cost is .05 a pound to do them including labor, electricity and consumables. And it keeps my grandson driving a nice car to boot!

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Originally Posted by happyisthealero

well... 2.85 Number 2 2.85x2 + .10x20= 6.10 for each compressor.

Compared to .20x22=4.40

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Using those numbers, breaking down the compressor totals $7.70. Not a big difference, but it might make a difference in figuring out if it's worth it for you to do.

Probably should be a sticky.

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Originally Posted by zito

Using those numbers, breaking down the compressor totals $7.70. Not a big difference, but it might make a difference in figuring out if it's worth it for you to do.

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Lol, thank you for not embarrassing me. My math was off!

I would say if you can cut up 20 and remove all the copper within 1-2 time span (which seems possible) I would say that it might be worth it. Other factors will come into play such as skill and experience

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Originally Posted by BurlyGuys

Probably should be a sticky.

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+1 on that^^

Thanks Admin!

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Originally Posted by freonjoe

Thanks Admin!

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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

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Originally Posted by Rambro

I cant find your pictures

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

;)

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

As to looking at the bottom line break even @ .28
I figure don't most of us find them free - so really it's mostly profit

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.