Just want to provide a technical tip for anyone trying to rebuild a Front end on a 1G DSM like I am doing now to my 1991 Plymouth Laser.
If you are trying to remove spot welds and keep the car in the original condition, you must do the following if you are attempting to remove the spot welds yourself.
FIRST-you need a cordless drill. 18v to 24v battery is prefered, 14.4v battery will work fine too.
SECOND (this is a big step to follow here) You need a SPOT WELD CUTTER!
I measured the welds made at the factory and it comes out to ABOUT 1/4": in diameter.
The Cutter tool you use is HIGHLY Important to make the job easier and faster. Do not just use a regular drill-it moves around too much during operation, one slip and you can kiss the project and your car goodbye! Take your time when doing this it will be a better finished product in the end.
As for the spot weld cutter itself, there is a particular brand of cutter tool to ask for since they are the ONLY manufacturer of this tool in the business.
ASK FOR A BLAIR HOLE CUTTER/SPOTWELD REMOVER! (SAME TOOL-DIFFERENT NAME)
Blair spotweld cutter Part number 13200 (it comes in a pack of 3 cutters) and the auber tool to connect the cutter to-13216 also comes with pilot. There are also spare pilots you can get #13217(good idea to get in case one breaks) The total of all three tool costs $30.00 so it's worth the investment to do the job right the first time.
THIRD- use a small (I do mean small) centerpunch to mark the center of each weld. This will allow the Pilot on the auber not to slip during drilling. Do not make a huge punch, you are only marking where the center of each weld is.
FOUR- Drill a Small piolt hole where you punched the center out. This is to guide the pilot where to go once drilling begins. Without the hole You might slip on punch mark and miss the weld entirely which would make life hell if this happens since the whole front end would not line up when it comes time to reassemble the car.
FIVE -You can do this on your own but it would greatly help if you had a friend or two help you out during this process. Give the job to someone with a sure steady hand with power tools. Just makes everything go a lot smoother in the end.
Got some more holes to cut so I'll see you later on the boards.
DSMBob.
If you are trying to remove spot welds and keep the car in the original condition, you must do the following if you are attempting to remove the spot welds yourself.
FIRST-you need a cordless drill. 18v to 24v battery is prefered, 14.4v battery will work fine too.
SECOND (this is a big step to follow here) You need a SPOT WELD CUTTER!
I measured the welds made at the factory and it comes out to ABOUT 1/4": in diameter.
The Cutter tool you use is HIGHLY Important to make the job easier and faster. Do not just use a regular drill-it moves around too much during operation, one slip and you can kiss the project and your car goodbye! Take your time when doing this it will be a better finished product in the end.
As for the spot weld cutter itself, there is a particular brand of cutter tool to ask for since they are the ONLY manufacturer of this tool in the business.
ASK FOR A BLAIR HOLE CUTTER/SPOTWELD REMOVER! (SAME TOOL-DIFFERENT NAME)
Blair spotweld cutter Part number 13200 (it comes in a pack of 3 cutters) and the auber tool to connect the cutter to-13216 also comes with pilot. There are also spare pilots you can get #13217(good idea to get in case one breaks) The total of all three tool costs $30.00 so it's worth the investment to do the job right the first time.
THIRD- use a small (I do mean small) centerpunch to mark the center of each weld. This will allow the Pilot on the auber not to slip during drilling. Do not make a huge punch, you are only marking where the center of each weld is.
FOUR- Drill a Small piolt hole where you punched the center out. This is to guide the pilot where to go once drilling begins. Without the hole You might slip on punch mark and miss the weld entirely which would make life hell if this happens since the whole front end would not line up when it comes time to reassemble the car.
FIVE -You can do this on your own but it would greatly help if you had a friend or two help you out during this process. Give the job to someone with a sure steady hand with power tools. Just makes everything go a lot smoother in the end.
Got some more holes to cut so I'll see you later on the boards.
DSMBob.