Interior Panel Removal: New Method?

[RexPearl]

Hi all,

Not sure if this has been discussed but it worked great for me to get those spot welds and panels out in a hurry.

Using a cut-off wheel, simply cut the weld out! Then grab the metal with pliers and give it a tug. Came out quick clean and easy.

[RexPearl]

Well... not sure why they’re upside down?!

[musigenesis]

I'm not sure what I'm looking at in these pics. If you want to avoid getting your images rotated on you, convert them to PNG before uploading them to skoolie.net.

[HazMatt]

Or do a head-stand while shooting the shot.

[Johnny Mullet]

At least you got the job done! Kudos to you!

[RexPearl]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

I'm not sure what I'm looking at in these pics. If you want to avoid getting your images rotated on you, convert them to PNG before uploading them to skoolie.net.

This is the top of the interior paneling; sits under the windows in my bus. I don’t know about anyone else’s, but mine had about 30 screws per panel, a single rivet and about 20 spot welds which made removing them a very big deal.

I tried a few methods: Cutting the entire spot welded seams out- this took time, made a lot of sparks and ate through cutoff wheels.

Then I tried just making one cut through each spot weld. This wasn’t too bad but I still thought it could be done better.

Next I tried just grinding the weld off the interior panel and not cutting the part it was welded to. This actually worked well and did not leave jagged metal for a laceration hazard BUT it took more time.

Finally, I thought I should just cut the welds out and see what it thought. It made the job much more manageable. I’m going to reskin the windows and will insulate and add paneling inside anyway so the hazard of sharp metal will only last a little while.

Hope the word pictures help clear it up?!

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

At least you got the job done! Kudos to you!

Thank you! FINALLY got through your build page just today. What a fantastic ride. I may have to ding dong you for some T444e questions sometime... for now I’m still in demo inside and paint outside.

[TheHubbardBus]

Is it possible to drill through the center of each weld, without significantly compromising the metal (window channel) it's attached to, so you could remove the panels in their entirety?

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Is it possible to drill through the center of each weld, without significantly compromising the metal (window channel) it's attached to, so you could remove the panels in their entirety?

the welds are much harder than the surrounding material - might be a frustrating process to drill them out - you never know though, it might be worth a try

[TheHubbardBus]

Originally Posted by Sleddgracer

the welds are much harder than the surrounding material - might be a frustrating process to drill them out - you never know though, it might be worth a try

I found this spot weld cutter kit on Amazon. Many other variants for less but this one seems highly rated. Thinking we might pick it up & give it a shot.

https://www.amazon.com/Blair-11096-C...=fsclp_pl_dp_1

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

I found this spot weld cutter kit on Amazon. Many other variants for less but this one seems highly rated. Thinking we might pick it up & give it a shot.

https://www.amazon.com/Blair-11096-C...=fsclp_pl_dp_1

I like that - I was thinking maybe a small hole saw - that cutter might work even better

[HazMatt]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Is it possible to drill through the center of each weld, without significantly compromising the metal (window channel) it's attached to, so you could remove the panels in their entirety?

THAT is something that I have wanted to do, but haven't yet found a way.

[TheHubbardBus]

Originally Posted by Sleddgracer

I like that - I was thinking maybe a small hole saw - that cutter might work even better

Originally Posted by HazMatt

THAT is something that I have wanted to do, but haven't yet found a way.

Well, I'm pressing the 'buy' button here in the next 5 mins. Should have it today, and will be testing it out this weekend. I'll let y'all know how it works!
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Oh, and HazMatt...

[o1marc]

The spot weld drill didn't seem to want to go through the hard metal. It was worth the $37 for the electric shears to make clean, quick work of the panels. It takes about 10 seconds to cut the metal clean just below the lip. Drilling the spot welds, of which there are 100's of them, is too much time consuming labor to end with the same result. The shears come in handy on any other sheet metal you're cutting on the bus.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kett-K-200-...ty!30534!US!-1

[TheHubbardBus]

Originally Posted by o1marc

The spot weld drill didn't seem to want to go through the hard metal. It was worth the $37 for the electric shears to make clean, quick work of the panels. It takes about 10 seconds to cut the metal clean just below the lip. Drilling the spot welds, of which there are 100's of them, is too much time consuming labor to end with the same result. The shears come in handy on any other sheet metal you're cutting on the bus.

Then again, it's only a waste of time if it's time I'm not enjoying. And making holes in things is actually something I truly enjoy.

[HazMatt]

As a bachelor, there is a considerable interpretive difference in defining the pleasure attained from "making" a hole, compared to the context for someone in a committed relationship...

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by o1marc

The spot weld drill didn't seem to want to go through the hard metal. It was worth the $37 for the electric shears to make clean, quick work of the panels. It takes about 10 seconds to cut the metal clean just below the lip. Drilling the spot welds, of which there are 100's of them, is too much time consuming labor to end with the same result. The shears come in handy on any other sheet metal you're cutting on the bus.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kett-K-200-...ty!30534!US!-1

I used a similar method involving a chisel bit on my air hammer.

[TheHubbardBus]

Originally Posted by HazMatt

As a bachelor, there is a considerable interpretive difference in defining the pleasure attained from "making" a hole, compared to the context for someone in a committed relationship...

I'm thinking if you have to make a hole, you may be doing it wrong.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are solely those of THB, and are in no way endorsed or supported by Jeffrey Dahmer, Dahmer Industries, or related affiliates.

[HazMatt]

ROFL

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

I'm thinking if you have to make a hole, you may be doing it wrong.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are solely those of THB, and are in no way endorsed or supported by Jeffrey Dahmer, Dahmer Industries, or related affiliates.

SEE! Exactly my point! Taken contextually, to me that means "making" whoopie with some strange.
Dahmer Industries makes due, do...
Dahmer Disclaimer: No scatological meanings were intended. Those seeing such have a potty mind.

[roach711]

A little C4 would blast that steel off in a flash and we can buy it at the grocery store now!

[HazMatt]

Is that offered in the 100mL size?
The TSA can be such pests...