Cutting Welds

[Frank R]

IMG_2252.jpg

I need to cut several stitch welds to remove some casters off the bottom of a cart. I used an angle grinder to cut some of them. I then switched to a mini die grinder to get in some tighter spots; that grinder was very weak. But I still need to remove some more.

The picture shows the tight spot they are in. I cannot get a grinding disc in there and I cannot get a sawzall blade under the caster base.

Can I bust them out with a cold chisel?

I did some reading on arc gouging and plasma cutting but I don't want to buy that kind of equipment just yet.

One post I researched mentioned using a stick welder turned up high and using a conventional rod to melt the weld, and letting gravity do the rest. I have a Thunderbolt AC/DC. Can I do this with the supply of rods I have on hand (I do not know what they are; they came with a welder)? Or do I have to buy some special kind of rod?

Please provide instructions on how I should do this, or point me in the right direction.

[elvis]

If you crank the heat way up you can burn holes with about any rod. That can be effective.

Depending on how well that weld penetrated you could also get a mini-cutoff wheel and put it in a drill and get most of the weld and then chisel the rest. It is basically just a game of what tools you have and what you can readily get. I'm spoiled so I would just grab my plasma and knock it off in a hurry.

BTW, this is a good reason to bolt caster to something. Easy to remove. I like to weld a mount plate and then drill holes to bolt the casters onto the piece.

Good luck.

[tackit]

I would suggest you get a die grinder and use a carbide ball type rotary burr and grind the weld out. After you get most of the weld ground out use a cold chisel under the plate to break it free.

[Meltedmetal]

It's a bit messy but it can be done with an O/A cutting torch. die grinder will also work. Take a good look at the profiles of carbide cutters available. I have some that are flat on the end with no cutting surface there and flared like an upside-down pine tree. They'd cut it almost loose then as Tackit says get out the chisel and the big hammer.
Meltedmetal

[go2building]

I can't see the whole caster, can't you just cut the shaft for the caster and leave the plate?

[USMCPOP]

You could probably cut that out with a cape chisel &/or a diamond point chisel.

[Frank R]

Thanks for the answers.

I have a little HF mini die grinder with a small cut-off wheel that I tried for the first time after my Makita grinder could not get any closer. That thing was nearly worthless; it stalled easily. I'll try switching that wheel to a drill to see if it helps, but it won't help much due to the tight surroundings.

I had thought about cutting off the caster pillers and leaving the plate; that may still be an option. I am going to try and save them becasue these are really nice casters with grease fittings.

I have one of those Port-A-Torch outfits but I have not had the tanks filled yet.

Did some more reading on carbon arc gouging. Says it is hard on 20% duty cycle machines. But then again, I only have a few to remove.

Looks like I will try the hammer and chisel first. I will also go looking for those carbide rotary burrs I have somewhere.

[clint738]

If you have an oxy/acet torch setup I would just use a scarfing tip on the torch to remove it.

[kevin]

carbon arc gouging is good, if you have never done it before, use a different method, once you make contact, its go, you can destroy stuff in seconds, of if not experienced, a weld can become glazed over and then the arc wont touch it, carbon bit in die grinder is the answer, buy the good bits, they are about 20 bucks, the 4 dollar bits will not work

[Bistineau]

[QUOTE=Frank R;303103]Thanks for the answers.

I have one of those Port-A-Torch outfits but I have not had the tanks filled yet. .

If you have an oxy/acet torch setup I would just use a scarfing tip on the torch to remove it.

It looks like you now have a good reason to get those tanks filled. This method will probably be the easiest way out of this situation^^^^. And you can pick up the scarfing tip while getting the tanks filled. What good is having the torch out fit and empty tanks anyway?