What method to cut this off?

[garybdavis]

I've been asked to cut these pipe rings off some playground equipment. The small pipe is 2 3/8" and the pipe rings are 2 7/8". There are four or five of these pipe rings and they are not welded into place, so I can slide/rotate them. Taking the rest of the playground fixture apart to remove the rings is not an option.

I have a portable oxy/act rig on my welding trailer which is one option. I also have a portable air compressor and an arcair K4000 that I recently set up for my TB302. So, those are my two choices.

Which would you use?

[HMW]

You could use the torch but I would probably use a 4 1/2" grinder with a
3/64" cut off wheel. Nice and clean and not to much fire flying around. If in a hurry the torch will do fine. I don't think I would use the arcair on it. Don"t really need all that. We usually use the arcair for cutting thick welds off or gouging a pin out Just my 2 cents worth


if you cut across the hole, you'll have about a third less to cut with the zip wheel

[dabar39]

cut off wheel

I would do exactly what HMW said and use a cut off wheel. Dave

[JimYoung]

Use a cutoff wheel on a 4 1/2 inch grinder. slide a piece of tin can underneath the collar to cut down on scaring the pipe as you cut the collar.
Jim

[Bareback Jack]

Go with whatever makes you comfortable. The cutting wheel is a good choice because there is less heat and it is clean. The O/A method is fine if you are handy with a torch. Whatever method you choose, make sure you buff out any marks on the inner pipe when you're done (just so there are no burrs the kids could get cut on).

[MAC702]

The cutting wheel is also my choice, even though you didn't mention it as an option. If you do wind up doing it with one, make sure you securely clamp the ring from moving before doing so.

But of your two options, the O/A torch is the easy pick for this.

[HMW]

If you don't have any cut off wheels get some. they are awesome. I have used them many years in truck/equipment repair. Easly split a bearing race and slide right off the shaft with out nicking it. Hanger bearings same way. Some guys use a press. I bust the bearing shell with a hammer and a shop towel over it then split the race part....slides right off. I have several sizes cut of wheels and often use them on a die grinder. The other day i had a friend with a leaking power steering hose, at the pump. a jeep, he bought the fitting figuring you could remove it since it looked like it just snapped in. No deal it wont pull out. Its made that way so on the assy line it can be snapped in. when it needs to be replaced you have to buy the hose and the fitting. So guess what......I split the old fitting with a 2" zip wheel on an air die grinder, snapped in the old line and off he went,

sorry for the long story Its Friday night and beer time

[phaxtris]

this is a no-brainer, a cut off wheel

[garybdavis]

Okay, so it's a cut off wheel. Now I just need to go find one.

I have four of the 4 1/2" grinders, but never used a cut off wheel in one - just regular grinding disk, flap disk and wire brush wheel. I also have a air die grinder, but no cut off wheels for it either. The only cut off wheels I have used are in my 14" chop saw - gone through a few hundred of them.

Where do I get one and what do I look for? Do I get one for my angle grinder or the die grinder?

[metal-doctor]

Okay, so it's a cut off wheel. Now I just need to go find one.

I have four of the 4 1/2" grinders, but never used a cut off wheel in one - just regular grinding disk, flap disk and wire brush wheel. I also have a air die grinder, but no cut off wheels for it either. The only cut off wheels I have used are in my 14" chop saw - gone through a few hundred of them.

Where do I get one and what do I look for? Do I get one for my angle grinder or the die grinder?

The angle grinder is by far the quickest. Look for a zipcut wheel & a walter if possible as it will give the best bang for the buck.Sliding a piece of tin under as someone already suggested is a good idea as well.

[garybdavis]

Is Walter a brand name?

[MAC702]

Home Depot sells the Norton and Hilti brands. I bought the Hilti once (50% more money) just so I could tell their stupid salesman that they don't last longer (they don't.)

[metal-doctor]

Yes , Walter is a brand name.

[JimYoung]

Bullet Industries sells a good 41/2 inch cutoof wheel about 50 Cents... each. Can get some at Harbor Freight for about 60 cents each... either will work fine and take care of the collars. They will fit your grinder just fine. You can get a grinder (orange handle one) on sale now I think for about $17.95. from HF. "stay with orange handle one (the best).
But as suggested, clamp the collar down so it wont slide, and also put some "tin can stock" between the collar and the pipe to reduce damage to the pipe. Good luck.
Jim

[cajuncat]

using o/a would be the quickest way with out a doubt and with the slack in the couplin you should not have to worry about knicking the pipe.The heat might discolor the pipe though.A cut off wheel would do a nicer job without any damage to the pipe but will take a little longer and you will have to make sure you can clamp the couplin down so it won't move on you