Unwelding?

[Damien]

Hello,

This is my first post - so hello!

I've tried to search wikipedia and other forums for this answer, but can't seem to find something solid.

I have a steel motorcycle garage which I bought to keep my pride and joy in.

It was made by a friend who made the shell really well (5mm steel etc) but welded a really shabby thin clasp on it for the padlock (I will take some pictures as a follow up post if needed!).

At the moment, someone could simply break into it with a hacksaw down the really thin hasp - so I wanted to see if it's fesiable to unweld this and put a better (heavier duty) clasp on it.

Can this be done? I've never welded before but I have a friend who can but I'd like to research it a little before I ask him - as I understand that unwelding could possible do more damage the the steel (shell) underneath than good?

Thanks for reading!

Alex

 

[Baz-Cem]

Carefully grind it off with a 1mm disc. Quick and easy.

 

[Sparkey]

Hi Damien, welcome to the forum!!
I think it would be easier for everyone if you put some pics on!
What do you mean by "unweld" , you can't just take the clasp off, or grind it off maybe?
or just leave it on there and put another one right next to it?
post your pics and show us what you mean!
Sparkey

 

[Luke]

Unweld?

Grind it off, you may end up destroying the clasp, but it sounds like that doesn't matter?

 

[Damien]

Thanks for your replies! Sorry for the "unweld" wording - it's all new to me!

I honestly didn't think of grinding - you're right, it doesn't bother me that it'll damage the clasp as it's useless anyway.

I can't put a clasp above/below due to the design of the shell.

I'll take some pictures tonight and upload them tomorrow.

Thanks everyone for your comments!

 

[Hitch]

A heavy duty bolt on jobbie could save you having to get it welded.

 

[Damien]

Funny you mention that, I've been looking at (still waiting to upload pictures)

or

 

[Damien]

Pictures!

What do you think?

Can this just be grinded off?

Cheap looking eh!

 

[TonyWilk]

What do you think?

Can this just be grinded off?

Cheap looking eh!

Yes, you could grind that off in about 10 seconds.

Worse, you could cut it off silently with a pair of bolt croppers in less time than that.

Really you want a shackleless padlock so it's more difficult to 'have a go at'

e.g.: this van lock from Screwfix or this other one

Yours,
Tony Wilk

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

yes, just cut along the hinge and then cut the sticky-out bit off the bottom...

leave the backing plates in place to give the metal a bit of added strength where you'll weld the new clamp.

Regards
Peter

 

[Damien]

Thanks for the replies. Spoke to my mate, he'll be happy to bring his welding kit around and also give me a quick lesson - I've always been put off by the expense of initial setup!

I'll need to find a sheet of steel that I can use elsewhere on the kit (not photo'd) to reinforce - can I ask where you find the best place to purchase this?

A friend said B&Q used to stock it (but as with all B&£ stuff) - I'll probably need a 0.5m2 of 5mm so I can cut to lengths etc.

Thanks again for the input.