Need to remove hard to reach welds- w/arc welder?

I've got some mig welds I need to get rid off to take some stuff apart. I have access to an arc welder and have seen some metal cutting electrodes available. Has anyone had good luck using an arc welder in this manner or would this even work?. Thanks

 

Look for an Air-Arc. Its the cutting version of an arc welder, I use one at work, its a noisy ******* but it works great.

 

A google search came up with this.
http://groups.google.com/group/sci.engr.joining.welding/browse_thread/thread/ee3647f7d0b28684/47dd8c1cec426fe0%2347dd8c1cec426fe0

 

Air-arc or carbon-arc is probably what you are refering to. Needs compressed air to work. Basicaly the electodes heat the weld/metal and the air pressure blows it away, noisy and messy. The metal will have to be ground completely down to good steel if you want to weld/ drill/ machine it again, as the process hardens the cut area rock hard. Hve

 

I worked in a steel truss shop one time, and we had what were known as "gouging rods" for removing unwanted welds. No air was necessary---just crank the old Lincoln stick welder up to 180 amps and have at it. The rods did a lot of snapping and cracking, and sparks flew everywhere, but they certainly got the job done. I don't know if a welding supply shop can get "gouging rods" now or not. I have had a fair amount of success on a small scale using a 7018 rod dipped in water first, to cut with. Messy, but still fairly effective.

 

what about a curved torch tip? or is it deep in someplace?

 

what spot welds are you trying to remove? air arcing is not easy to do and it takes special tools to do well at least 18 cfm a/c and its bulky. can you drill the welds? and you need to change polarity. there are plenty of good welding books for beginners (i'v been welding sence 1965) i keep them for refrence the best one to start with is the ( welder's handbook )it is a finch/monroe hp publication it will run you about 14.95 to 20.00 dollars speedway carries them . Good Luck Dan

 

It will work but will make a big mess of things.a cheap angle grinder will get to alot of tight areas and wont make that big of a mess

 

Ive cut 4 inch channel with an arc welder aint pretty but **** it worked..
Dave