I use a 9inch angle grinder, a discs worth about US$5+. You get over 10 compressors per disc (can't remember the actual amount, its probably a lot more, 15+)
You have to drain the oil out first, then when you shift it around, more oil comes out, as soon as you cut it, more oil...
A Plasma cutter would be the best way to do it though..
I use a bench vise & rip the rubber feet off, clamp its foot & cut 1/3 to 1/2 way around under the welded rim, do that twice or more, the top hat part I'm saving to use a ornimental cannons.
Pop the cap off & its still attached by wires(3) & a thin steel pipe, cut them & let the oil drain off & unbolt the 4 bolts holding the laminations & copperwires.
Grab that in the vise & cut one end off the copper windings & punch the rest of the copper wire out.
Then use a knife to cut thru the strings & remove them, I then give them a wash in the hot waste water from my dishwasher, in a drum with some extra washing powder, then drain.
You won't get all of the oil off, but say to the scrapper you "have washed them" & smell the dishwashing smell & mention they were "greasy as, before hand" & "as they were in oil theres no corrosion at all".
I get #2 price NZ$6.70Kg or US$5+ a Kg or (US$2.40Lb?)
Theres just a bit under 1Kg of Copper on average. I'd say 2Lbs solid.
Notes.
One or two of the pipes welded to the casing is 100% copper, not steel.
Theres Ali in the armiture & sometimes theres a Ali bearing on the shaft & steel forging- it needs 3 Allen key screws to be undone to remove it- easy.
The piston conrod is sometimes Ali.
The head of the compressor is sometimes a Ali plate.
Theres a oil pickup on the end of the shaft, most times its steel, if its Ali theres a screw holding it on.
The piston & conrod would make great parts for a 'metal peice welded ornimental motorbike'. Harley style.
The valve assembleys look like 'eyes'.
Theres a copper wire coil in the starter part, built onto the side of the casing, in later ones they use a sort of diode instead.
I seperate all the bits, shaft, valves, bolts, laminations & Ali, Steel forgings, Ali parts, pistons, Copper wire..
That pics interesting, they cut thru it verticaly, I'll try that next time.
As you use the grinder, check that the 4 or 5 bolts that hold the 'angle head' part of the grinder don't come loose.
They do & that wears out the gears even if its a little loose.
Make sure the grinder has 'come up to speed' before grinding.
Hang the grinder you 'head up' so the warm loose grease falls back onto the gears.
Don't let the metal move as you cut thru it, that 'cuts out' the disc
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