Frame Cutting questions

Hey guys, I am currently in the process of stripping mounts off of a spare frame that I am gutting for metal to be used on another frame that I have to make a trailer. I was wondering how you guys are able to cut the welds off nice and clean without damaging the frame itself. I tried sawzall blades designed for metal but I burn through them too quickly, and I tried cutting wheels on an angle grinder but that can accidentally cut into the frame or the mount (which some I would like to save for ideas that I have.)

Also, is anyone using any special kind of grinding disc to quickly eat away at the rest of the remaining weld beads? I use the basic metal ones from Home Depot and they wear down pretty quickly and take a while to use.

I might need to go by my friendly welding supply shop to see what they recommend next chance I get, but I would like to hear from my fellow B Sceners first.

Is it an extended cab frame??? If so I'll give you some metal for it.

For the welds this is what I do, which I guess you could say is like doing body work.

To remove most of the weld I use a regular grinding disk. After I have it down to maybe 1/8" I switch to a flap disk(the one with sand paper) then try to get it down to 1/16". After that I finish off with a 2" roloc disc.

Check out harbor freight or nothern tool. You can get a box of grinding discs pretty cheap. You will go through them.

I like the xp style cutting discs and griding discs made by dewalt. I'm sure theres better out there but I've had pretty good luck with them. If you're patient and try not to cut through things too quickly, those should work fine. I've learned to take my time and have gotten pretty good and accurate with a cutoff wheel

I use one on right for knocking the weld down and then i use the one on left to put a smooth polish to finish it off. I think a cut off wheel is gonna be about your best bet from the sound of it. Just have to be careful and keep cutting then looking then cutting then looking making sure you are exactly where you need to be. If you cut a little bit in to the piece all you have to do is put a spot of weld back in it and then smooth it off with grinder on the left. Also depending on where you are working with the frame at a porta band is an awesome machine as well for cutting things off.





-Justin

Also when using the cut off wheel try to cut parrallel with each side and meet in the middle just like notching a tree when preparing to cut a tree down. Most people try to cut in the middle of the weld angled to the edge of piece they are cutting off. 9 times out of 19 you never hit it perfect.







-Justin

Best technique right there

cool! Thanks for the fast response and the tips. Baha, you are about to hate me, but this was an extended cab frame (just the back half of it though, not the whole frame) and I already sectioned it up. I can probably find you one though but it'll be in Augusta.

Damn! lol if you can find one and want some extra money I'll pay you to swap the frames from my Mazda. The frame could still be used for another trailer even though it appears to be to rusty to salvage for the truck.