Spot Welds

[wanderinstar]

Can anybody recommend a good drill for removing spot welds. Bought one last year, cant remember the name, and it was rubbish.The piece in the middle was spring loaded and the actual cutter was reversible. So when you have worn one edge out you could turn cutter round. Sounded a good idea when I bought it, trouble was it broke before it wore out.
Have seen one that has like a pip in the middle of bit and the cutting edge is flat not angled.
Anyone found a good one they can recommend or a good way to remove them apart from drilling.
Advice greatly received.
Ian.

[jonathon]

The bit you describe last is a proper spot weld remover bit. Try your local tool cutting companies. As with all bits they come in various diameters. For a good quality item you should be paying about £6-12 each, cheaper versions will just shed the central locating pin.

[rayofleamington]

Mole grips can be surprisingly good at removing spotwelded metal.
With a bit of the right leverage most spot welds will 'pop' but some will tear along the removed metal (the torn part can be disconnected with the grinder allowing the metal to be pulled up to the next spot). Then just tap the remaining part of the seam flat again using a pair of hammers.
I know it's a bit low-technology but I've tried drilling and isn't always as quick, (and mole grips last longer).
[However if you want to avoid any distortion of the remaining part of the seam - drilling is by far the best way]

[Cam]

I got mine from Frost for about £8 I think a few years ago, but nowadays I tend to use the same method as Ray unless I have to put the panel back on which is not likely really.

[chickenjohn]

or you could use an air chisel between the two panels! Brutal but effective ;)

[bigginger]

Or just a cold chisel/bolster and hammer
a

[paulk]

My personal favorite is the plasma cutter then grinder option.
Great fun and if you get it wrong you can still see the bright lights on the inside of your eyelids for ages afterwards too.

[chickenjohn]

air chisels quicker (but louder!!!).

most finessed method thoough is to drill the spot welds out- this leaves the underlying metal relatively undamaged- I got some of the Franklin cobalt tipped ones- £11, but they do the job well- Practicall classics test recommended (although not allways a good guide)- PC also found the spring loaded oned not so good.

Of course if you have a bench grinder and some engineering skill- to re sharpen them, normal drills 5-6mm can be used.

[bigginger]

air chisels quicker (but louder!!!).

Just a hint for those without an air chisel and a compressor to run it

[martinness]

I usually run a small hss drill through the middle then split with a sharp two inch wide bolster chisel, the drill removes the strongest part of the weld and the thin bolster separates the panels with minimum damage. (cheap drills from screw fix do the job around £1.50p for ten)

[Chris Morley]

An interesting variety of methods to remove spot-welds. Looks like this one should be in 'tips'.