Is it safe to dismantle and reconfigure refrigeration equipment to build a freeze dryer?

I'm a fairly experienced maker but I know basically nothing about refrigeration, I also grow a fair bit of produce for myself in my garden.

In an effort to learn something new while doing something useful, I've decided to start planning building a freeze dryer.

There's a few ways to skin this cat but right now I'm just at the feasibility stage. Seems like the cheapest option is to get hold of some old freezers and pull all of the cooling equipment out and somehow wrap it round a custom vacuum chamber. I'm prepared to learn and for this to be a long and not easy process, but before I begin I thought I'd ask the experts: Is this a dumb idea/should I be thinking in a different direction?

Any input much appreciated.

submitted by /u/I_Bin_Painting
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