best way to cut these welds?

[ashman]

I've got to cut a bunch of these large welds, hopefully in a way that I save both pieces of metal. what is my best bet? grinder, or is there a way to torch them off?

I was using my 4 1/2" grinder on one of them, but I used up a lot of the disk and it doesn't look like I'm even 1/2 way done with 1 of them.

Just wondering if there is a better way.

 

[wage92]

not saying its the best, but with what i have to work with, my best bet would probably be the angle grinder..just using a grinding disk like you probably were...

 

[sweetk30]

sand flapper wheels for grinder last a lot longer when removing welds . 40 grit does nice.

 

[SilverduneJimmy]

If you can get a cut-off wheel and mount it on your grinder, that would be your best bet. score the weld to the point where the 2 pcs of metal come in contact with each other, then beat it off with a big hammer. Smooth the remaining weld material with a flap disk/grinding wheel. I have used this approach many times at work.

 

[ryoken]

flap wheels have horrible durability.. it's freakin sandpaper...

maybe for finishing it off once the plate is off... they leave a nice finish..

stone wheel on a grinder of your choice, big chisel, hand sledge, grind remains once knocked off...

 

[ktmoutfront]

7.5" cut of wheel on a full size grinder. There is no quick or cheap way to save both pieces.

 

[rdn2blazer]

7.5" cut of wheel on a full size grinder. There is no quick or cheap way to save both pieces.

This. Thats a big weld for a 4 1/2 grinder. You want some power, so a 7.5 is the way to go. As was said, there's no easy way to do this. It's going to be some work, no way around it.

 

[ashman]

thanks for the advice guys. I figured as much.

I went and bought some better disks and we'll see if that makes any difference... just gotta power through I guess.

 

[livid4dirt]

If your handy with a torch, you can "wash" the welds off pretty easy. It takes some skill, so if your not comfy with a torch you will do more harm than good. If not, as said a big grinder, chissel and a bfh will do the job.
To "wash" welds, get weld molten hot then about the time you would normally hit the blow through with torch, you reach down and roll the oxygen nob up just enough to start flowing away the welds, like i said it takes some skill.

 

[Stomis]

If you have a good torch head where the oxygen trigger is variable you can wash them off just the same as cutting.

I'd bet you'll just make a huge mess trying to wash those off.

 

[British Slave]

Get you a wash tip for a OA torch and take most of the weld off, then use grinder to finish.

http://www.gossonline.com/site/Victor_Tips.php

scroll down to "gouging tip" that's what to use.

 

[ashman]

I'd bet you'll just make a huge mess trying to wash those off.

I tend to agree.

I do have a few brackets that need to come off that I don't need to save though, so maybe I'll give it a go and see if I can make it work.

Get you a wash tip for a OA torch and take most of the weld off, then use grinder to finish.

I'll see if I can pick one up. thanks!

 

[livid4dirt]

You will be able to wash them off. Then clean up with a grinder.

 

[blazinzuk]

I have used a scarfing tip ( what was talked about above) on a torch before, it takes a bit of finesse to get them off without any damage to either piece.

 

[runamok151]

Phasers set to stun work for me.