Splitting Body Seams?

What is the best technique for splitting these rear body seams?




Thanks.

 

My buddy put one of those bits into his thigh when he was doing body work years ago at a ford dealership. They definitely work better on the welds.

 

I have some of those but most of these seams don’t have access for a drill.

 

cut off wheel . sacrifice one side or other replacement panel needed

 

X2 on the cut off wheel. Cut it close to the seam, then you can get access.



Dave

 

I've used a right angle drill attachment to get into tight areas.

 

They make air chisel bits designed for splitting spot welded panels. I have used one of these a number of times for such as this, it is fast and less work, but it is not as clean a method as drilling out the spot welds, and usually will cause some distortion which will require some hammer and dolly work on the keeper panel.

 

Yes. A die grinder works too. Grind away the welded steel on one side.

 

Am I the only one who does it the easy way by using a plasma cutter and cut the spot weld right out? Fast and easy, plus you get a hole to weld through when the new piece is put in place.

 

Keep meaning to get one of those.

 

This is my go-to for stuff like this.

 

I use Blair annular cutters. Look up Blair spot weld cutter. These work really well and stay sharp for a long time. I have shattered one, but these are the best method I've tried. They can be had in various diameters. I usually use 5/16" or 3/8" depending on size of the spot weld. You do have to grind the center nub off the inner piece if thats what you're saving.
-Donny

 

X2. I've had good luck with a combo of spot weld cutters and one of these knives.

 

I bought a set of Hougen cutters that I like. I ruined a couple of annular cutters by not ensuring that I had a good pilot hole in the center of the spot weld - so I would say that this is worth doing slowly and carefully. Tap a good indent in with a punch, then drill a recess at the right diameter for your annular cutter spring pin.

 

Got a new one ordered for work, the old one is a Miller, can't remember the number..........
It's 20 some years old,the size of a mig welder that age and only cuts 1/4...3/8.....
The new one is the size of small suitcase and supposedly will "burn" through 1 1/8 I think it is....
Not supposed to have any trouble with 7/8''.