Spot Weld Remover for floor braces

[87Warrior]

Last weekend I started removing the floor braces. My goal was to use the 3/8 and 5/16 spot weld drillers. But I ran into a problem. The steel is much thicker than your basic sheet metal which the remover is designed for. Thus they do not cut all the way down, requiring the additional use of a drill bit.

 

How did you remove the floor braces? I want to keep them in good shape since I will be reusing them. Is there a spot weld remover designed for thicker metal? Maybe use a small hole saw with a mark to 'stop so I don't drill through?

 

Looking for thoughts and experience. Thanks!

[Comanche County]

Thats a tough one, I ended up using a 3/8" drill bit on the ZJs front end I rebuilt. But I wasn't working on the frame rails though.

 

I do believe there are specialty bits that limit the depth. Might want to check Grainger or MSC.

[Carl'sMJ]

I just got took out these braces about 2 weeks ago... It was a bit more difficult because of the thicker metal, but my 3/8" spot weld cutter went all the way through. I bought three of these cutters from Harbor Freight for $5 a piece.

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth ... 95343.html

 

They aren't the best quality, but they have managed to get the job done cutting out all the spot welds on the old rusted floor pans on both sides of my cab.

 

I only had to use a drill bit for a little better angle on the welds that held the brace where the floor pan meets the side of the cab.

 

I plan on using my braces again too so I was careful and it turned out alright. I pretty much started drilling out the spot welds and then started working (pounding) a chisel around between the brace and the floor pan. The chisel popped any of the remaining metal that the cutter didn't take care of... It took some effort, but I'm pleased with the results.