Panzerboy:

Let's do the instructions in public in case others want to salvage old refrigerator compressors.

The compressor is the big black hermetically sealed steel can usually located at the bottom back of an old refrigerator. It has at least 2 metal tube emenating from it which are the discharge and suction tubes. There will be electrical wires connected to a relay assembly usually mounted behind a cover directly on the compressor.

First and foremost,if all the tubes are intact with no obvious cuts or breaks, and the evaporator (That is usually the aluminum freezer section on small refrigerators, and a coil type aluminum array of tubes, fins, with a small fan in the freezer section of a larger refrigerator.) has not been punctured with a steak knife some YAHOO tried to defrost it with, leave it alone. Breaking into a sealed system without the credentials required by the EPA is a felony violation with a $25,000 first time fine.

ANOTHER VERY SERIOUS CONCERN FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT SMOKE IS THAT R12 REFRIGERANT BECOMES A DEADLY NERVE GAS IF IT PASSES THROUGH A FLAME, EVEN A CIGARETTE. I personally believe that is the reason it was outlawed, and not because of green house effect that it contributes to.

If you can get a refrigerator that has been punctured, the refrigerant is gone and you can safely remove the compressor, its vibration bushings, the relay (which should be mounted on the compressor, but may be on the frame.(this is especially true if it has been serviced and had a generic relay installed with a capacitor for better kick starting.)), and the electrical cord.

The suction side of the compressor has tubing that is slightly larger in diameter than the discharge side. Solder a barbed hose fitting to the suction side, attach a 48 inch long 3/8" or smaller diameter hose that is designed to be used for suction so that it does not collapse when drawing vacumn. Wire an on/off switch to the hot (The smaller prong on a 3-prong wire.) wire and attach that wire to the one of the "hot line" connections on the relay (There should be a schematic on the relay or a L1, which is "HOT, and a L2 which is neutral identifier on the relay connection.), and attach the ground wire (Never work without a ground!) to the frame holding the starter assembly on the compressor.

Attach an appropriate piece of metal tubing or a football inflator needle to the 48 inch long hose (The bigger the metal tubing going into the bag, the faster the vacumn, but consider your need to seal around the protrusion.), hit the switch and watch it work. When your vacumn needs are met, seal and remove the tubing.

Once you are sure the system works, you can use the anti-vibration grommets to mount it on a wooden platform, attach a carrying handle, and you are good to go.

Good luck!

Bountyhunter