Incubator build HELP

[SteveySingle]

When building a bater out of a wine cooler or mini fridge, what do you guys use to break/cut the line running from the condenser to the coils inside the fridge???? I am guessing bolt cutters...but I don't have any. ALSO, if i cut it, is refrigerant gonna go spraying all over the place?

[TheSnakeGuy]

Strictly speaking it is ILLEGAL to drain the cooling fluid on your own. It is also dangerous. I believe you can take the fridge to a place like Home Depot/Lowe's or an appliance store and they can safely drain it for you. If you do decide to drain it on your own yes you will need a set of bolt cutters, thick gloves, and eye protection for safety. And do be careful.

[rlditmars]

I am not recommending you drain this on your own. However, if you are going to cut the lines yourself, you may want to crimp or compress a length that is several inches long with vise grips. Then when you cut in the middle and fold the ends to contain the coolant. I would not leave anything in place that has coolant in it, be it the lines, a panel, or the compressor itself. That stuff is toxic and you will be putting living viable eggs in there. Good luck and post some pics of the finished bator.

[SteveySingle]

My dad suggested finding the smallest drill but I could find, covering the copper tubing with foam insulation(the stuff already wrapped around some of the tubing, and drilling a very small hole to let the stuff out...it isn't very safe and is illegal.
I won't say wether I did this or not, but I will say that I got the unit gutted



Anyways thank u for the replies guys and yes I will be posting pics on e she's finished. I'm still waiting for my heat tape to come in so itwont be probably until next weekend u til I can finish it up

[gsarchie]

Use wire snips (copper is super soft), throw it in the trash when you're done. Gas comes out, so do it outside, but there shouldn't be any liquid.