cleaning inaccessible areas before welding

[mattg]

Hello, hope its ok to ask here- maybe it will help the OP:

Does anyone have any tips for getting inaccessible areas cleaned up in preparation for welding? For example when the angle grinder is too big to fit into a corner- is there any solvents or maybe another tool which would be more suited?

I am currently welding up the underside of an MOT failed transit. The welds are fine when theres easy access, but a nightmare when its up in tight spots.

Matt

 

[madkayaker]

a dremel type tools is very helpfull for geting into those small caverties. Or its sandpaper and finger. Acertone is good for degreasing but with underseal etc tends to make a clotty mess

 

[Wozzaaah]

Hello, hope its ok to ask here- maybe it will help the OP:

That thread was 4 years old Matt!
Sometimes the only thing you can do is to grind where you can and scrape away what you can't reach with the grinder.

 

[bluebobtail]

Try one of these,
i've used this before to clean the top of landrover chassis rails off to save lifting the rear body up!

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cat40b-high-speed-belt-sander

 

[tux]

Try one of these,
i've used this before to clean the top of landrover chassis rails off to save lifting the rear body up!

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cat40b-high-speed-belt-sander

Seconded! Fantastic tool that gets in almost anywhere. Electric verisons available if you don't have air.

 

[mattg]

Thanks everyone! Didnt realise the vintage of the original thread

Ill keep my eyes open for that fancy belt sander, looks pretty cool. Think I can lay my hands on a dremel as well- always wondered if these were actually useful for anything.

Thanks againg for your help
Matt

 

[madkayaker]

i have a aldi special dremel and it works

 

[pedrobedro]

i have a aldi special dremel and it works

If it's the 240v one I have had one of those for four years and it has stood up to some serious abuse. I bought another one for a spare in case the old one expired but my wife claimed it for dolls' house and miniature work. It comes with a bench attachment and flexible extension shaft which has proved invaluable for many jobs. I use a Black and Wrecker powerfile belt sander as well, very handy but feels a bit fragile sometimes although it has never let me down.

 

[atconut]

needle descaler. thats what ye want if the steel is reasonably thick. a bit noisey but does a good job great for getting into the corners and they are cheep enough. i got a cheapy from machine mart and i've used it loads of times. good for rust and old paint. get some ear muffs. no good if the metal is thin it will just dent it

 

[pidgeon chit welder]

I use to have a power washer with a sandblaster atachment . It was good for cleaning up hard to reach stuff.

 

[blenkie1]

Use an air powered die grinder with tungsten carbide bits. You can get all shapes and sizes for getting into tight places. The bits can be as expensive as the grinder itself but they last a long time.

 

[michael1703]

i chip paint and underseal with a sharp wood chisel then use a knot brush in a grinder and possibly finish with a flap disc for a nicer smooth surface