taking apart air conditioner compressors

Originally Posted by AuntieCake

This is one of the items that had me itching to invest in a digital scale. I've weighed it out every which way it is possible to turn them in and based on prices here I cut them open and also separate the copper. It's in the 6-8.00 difference range depending on what type of compressor if I tear them apart verses selling them whole. This price also includes the cost of using a half grinding wheel on each one.

I read a post recently that said on a/c compressors that there are 3 weld marks and if you cut those and then drop it you can get the insides out.

For me personally it's worth taking them apart.

That might have been a post of mine.

I find theres more than 1Kg of copper in each one, maybe 3Lb. Its not that hard to get the wiring out as its covered in slipperly oil, clean of oxides & paper & tar.
With my 9inch grinder & a 9inch disc for NZ$6 each, I find it costs about 50cents to cut one open. (or, I can cut open 12+ per $6 disc)

Once the disc gets worn down to the size of your smaller grinder (ie 5 inch dia) take the disc off & replace it with a new one, or put it in the smaller grinder & keep using it.
Using a smaller disc in a larger grinder is a good way to waste grinder discs, plus it takes a lot longer..

If I had a lot of them I'd try & get the varnish off the wire so I can sell it as #1 Copper grade.

Heres a pic of one so you can see whats inside it. I can't see the spot welds but they are there somewhere.