Need help - Removing some metal from the interior
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From: Victoria - Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Need help - Removing some metal from the interior I'm in the middle of doing some weight reduction on the car, and I attempted removing a few spot welds over the weekend with a spot weld cutter. I managed to get the clam-shell looking things that hold the rear seats down out successfully, but when I tackled the metal that supports the rear passenger armrests, I had a hell of a time. Other than the spot welds, it seems to be "glued" in place somehow. I've never done this before, and was a little worried about damaging the car, so I've just left it for now. Once the spot welds are cut out, can I just pry it off with a small chisel/crowbar?
Thx,
Amanda
Thx,
Amanda
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From: Victoria - Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Thread Starter
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From: Victoria - Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Sweet, thanks.
Any tips for removing the spot welds? I broke 6 of my boyfriend's small drill bits trying to put the holes through the welds to line up the spot weld cutter
Any tips for removing the spot welds? I broke 6 of my boyfriend's small drill bits trying to put the holes through the welds to line up the spot weld cutter
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
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From: Victoria - Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
That'd be a great idea, 'cept he was in the car tent beside me working on his own car, and could hear me swearing loudly everytime I snapped another one 
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From: Central Indiana Honors: 4th grade spelling bee contestant
I just used my grinder on top of them. I eventually knocked off enough of the metal on the bracket that I was able to pry it off. Then just smooth down what is left with the grinder. If you put a small hole in the floor it can always be tack-welded shut.
I always just drill all the way through with good drill bits and weld the holes back up. it saves time in the long run.
Cutoff wheels and grinding discs are alot faster than tying to drill out all of the spot welds.
i did mine last weekend. i just center punched all the spot welds then used a #3 center drill. luckily, i was able to do all of them with one bit. it took longer than i thought it would, but turned out pretty good.
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From: Victoria - Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
I don't know how to weld, hence the spot weld cutter. I don't mind having teeny little holes in my car, but I can't have huge spots where I've drilled through
Are you using a center punch to mark your spot before drilling? If not, get yourself a center punch and a hammer. That will help hold the bit centered where you want it without having to "steer" the drill, which is what usually leads to broken drill bits.
