cleaning welds?

admin

what is the best tool to clean up welds? ive heard wire wheels, knotted cup wheels, sanding discs. these would be stick welds so getting off slag is an issue too. i only own one grinder so i pretty much keep it dedicated cutting/grinding. i was thinking maybe a drill with those quick change sanding discs might work? if i need another grinder ill get one tho. thanks
Reply:Chipping Hammer, wire wheel.If you have undercut or the edges of your slag won't remove easily, an old sawblade with a taped handle will work.  If this is a root pass and it doesn't need to look pretty, use a pneumatic chisel or needlegun.
Reply:Drill motors are typically too slow to do much good.  Grab you a harbor freight $9 special 4.5 inch grinder and get a couple of wire wheels.  I made a bunch of chipping hammers out of old railroad spikes.  I lose my regular chipping hammer everytime I lay it down, so now I have 10.  For about $20-$25 bucks you can have pretty much what you need to start out power de-slagging.  The needleguns weldrwomn mention are really nice.  I want one'a dose...but you have to have the air compressor and stuff to support it.  What ever you go with, get you a full-face shield and use it when you power de-slag...protect those eyes.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:You can buy wire cups and brush wheels that have a 5/8-11 threaded hub to use on your grinder........ they work very well..... But you need to use the full face shield as mentioned above. The neddle gun or needle scaler works well too but you wouldn't want to use it on a cover pass because it will leave dimples and the weld will not have a nice appearence._________________Chris
Reply:One thing to be wary of with wire wheels/cups...In the past 20 years or so I've twice managed to pierce myself in a somewhat tender & valuable part of my anatomy with wires that flew off & recently managed to pin part of my sack to my leg with a 2in long wire....oh how I laughed....
Reply:If you got the air to support it a needle scaler is the only way to go.  I love mine, I think it's a jonnesway.  Fastenal for $120DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Originally Posted by ZRx61One thing to be wary of with wire wheels/cups...In the past 20 years or so I've twice managed to pierce myself in a somewhat tender & valuable part of my anatomy with wires that flew off & recently managed to pin part of my sack to my leg with a 2in long wire....oh how I laughed....