[jeff5may]

No, I'm just pointing out that these projects are more difficult than building a doghouse or changing your oil. Some people would not be able to accomplish a successful project without being shocked, burned, gassed, or sustaining major bodily injury of some sort. You need to have things like safety glasses, gloves, fire extinguishers and such handy. Have some sort of safe workspace, definitely don't do it on the living room rug. A bench would be much better.

Also, a logical and methodical approach is immensely helpful. Patience and attention to fine details and workmanship are paramount. Most importantly, failures and hiccups abound in this realm. Accepting and recovering from a massive loss, then moving on forward is just part of the process. The confidence, tenacity and persistence demanded by these beasts is high.

That being said, it is highly possible to rebuild or warp someone else's scrap heap junk into a working machine that would otherwise be shredded or destroyed. Air conditioners and refrigerators are no longer a luxury reserved for the elite few; they are everywhere now. Finding inexpensive "obsolete" or supposed "dead" units is easy enough. Figuring out what to do with them and actually doing what you figured is not so simple.