Incubator build HELP

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?

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.

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.

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

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.