Grinding panel welds

[YY1]

What are you guys using to do this? I have an old school unshielded die grinder with a 1/8" wheel. It works but more and flatter surface might be better. My brother was using an electric angle grinder with a cup style wheel (but then he just recently stopped crimping and lapping panel seams).

I'm sure there's a preference for each person, but I'm just looking for ideas to get them smoother without gouging.

 

[1badgtx]

I bought these really small grinding wheels at my local paint shop...They fit in my die grinder..They are about 2 inches in dia.and about 1/2 inch thick..
Petty Blue 67 gTx

 

[YY1]

Interesting. I was eyeing the 6" wheel I took off of my bench grinder when I put on a wire wheel.

 

[oneway71]

I have been using a die grinder with a roloc. I need something smaller though.

 

[SureGrip]

An angle-grinder is nice...fit it with a 'flap wheel' to help keep the heat down when grinding.

 

[7ate9]

3" Rolocs on a right angle die grinder.. That's what I use day after day...

 

[Propwash]

For small, fine stuff i'll use a 1/16" cutoff disc in the die grinder to knock down a majority of the cap. Then a 2" 36 to 60 to 80 grit roloc.
I've even used the dremel cut off wheels in real tight areas....they go quick...

Large stuff 24-36 grit tigerwheel (flapper wheel) on a milwaukee 4 1/2" disc grinder. Then up to a 60-80 flapper wheel. After that, on to hand blocking or DA with some 100 and above.

 

[YY1]

What's a roloc?

I drilled out some spot welds on the battery tray I'm modding, and used the angle grinder with a used grinding cup wheel to take them down. Did a respectable job without gouging the surrounding metal. Think I'm progressing. Will finish batt tray, then maybe trunk floor, or floor boards (not easily seen), thn move on to skinning my bulge hood onto a good frame, and finally my quarter section. Ought to have my chops up by then!

Thanks for all the info.

 

[66_B_Body4ever]

Roloc is an overused term and refers to a whole product line by 3M. 6mm or 1/4"stone wheels work good for the initial cut of a weld followed by a 2-5" grinding disc. Fiber disc's work great for finishing up the ground weld. Always keep in mind not to over grind or completely grind the weld flush. Leave a little bit of the outline of the weld showing and try to avoid hitting the surrounding metal or you risk weakening the panel/structure!
I have about every trick in the book to use when grinding welds...carbide tips in many shapes are handy for those tight area and fit into a die grinder... Good luck!

 

[5wndwcpe]

I don't know if you've finished all of the welding yet, but you might look into this welding wire:

http://products.esabna.com/EN/home/..._id.id4367f2a958f8c3.05458256/category_id.504

 

[Propwash]

What's a roloc?

Here's a pic of some 2'' Roloc disc's. You probably recognize them. "Roloc" is a product line as 66' B-Body identified and is pretty much a slang term like "Kleenex" or "Cresent Wrench"..

 

[YY1]

They snap/screw in? Interesting.

I cut off the funny corner of the 5th Ave battery tray and made it rectangular, to fit the Charger. I got practice butt welding, filling in holes, and grinding seams. It turned out pretty good, and unless you know and really look hard, you can't tell it was modified. I'm realy happy with the angle grinder method. As I said before, it can only get better.

That easy grind wire looks interesting.