CLT light saber help? (Plasma torch)

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joyRidaz

joyRidaz

10 Year
Joined
Mar 11, 2013
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I've decided my Christmas vacation week project is going to be removing this ridiculous air ristricting winch bumper from the 1970s from my 40.

Over the last two hrs I've tried every tool in my tool box and am not making progress due to tricky angles not allowing me to get my cutoff wheel, grinder, sawzall etc in there. I'm using the best that harbor freight has to offer...

Per our planning session at the November clt onsc meet-up, I had hopes to slice 2 two inch welds on the triangle perches and then cut off the bolt heads allowing the whole bumper, winch platform, and extra light bar to come off in one piece....

Sadly that plan isn't working as I hoped due to cutting angles.

Anyone in clt have access to a plasma torch and the willingness to make 2 cuts?

Or does anyone have some suggestions on how to get this puppy off?

The only thing I'm hoping to salvage from this is the two rectangle plates that make up the platform and backing/faceplate for the winch, as well as the triangle oem perches. Everything else can get sliced.

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You are likely going to lose those factory angle brackets due to the way that square tube is welded to them and the fact that the square tube is much thicker and stronger than the brackets. See if Rafael @Roxx has some. You can still buy them but they are about $60 / pair.


Maybe try cutting through the square tube with the sawzall right in front of the angle iron brace (where you are pointing in the last pic). Then remove the angle iron piece and then remove your tow hook. you might be able to cut the square tube free of the angle coming in from the side but it's a crap shoot.
 
That large angle iron that runs just in front of the bezel ..... is that coming off as well?

I agree with Dave ..... sawzaw the thing into pieces.
 
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X3 with enough cuts and removing obstacles a piece at a time you can dissect it. Sawzall, a few blades and patience.
 
You need an assortment of tools. Saw saw, grinder, cutting torch, and a lot of paciencia. That is old school “ dont give a crap if it looks good” type of welding. That is the real deal and has good penetration (dont take it the wrong way).
 
I think George is feeling the "penetration" right about now. Sorry, George...had to say it!
 
Oh sweet sweet victory!

After another four hours, 1 run to harbor freight for supplies and tools, 2 very strategic cuts with the sawzall, about 12 broken bolts, 2 sawzalled carriage bolts, and a very sore lower back; that heavy mofo was finally separated from the frame where t has sat for 39ish years!

Wow it's ugly but that thing is sturdy and impressively thought out...

The triangle etch supports might be salvageable but they are missing a little notch that was cut out to fit the square tubing.

So glad I can finally see the bezel in all of its glory. I better check the direction before I post this or else the bezel police will catch me.

Thanks for all the good input. Super psyched I didn't need to fully dissect this like I thought... after getting under the rig with a flashlight this am after a light of defeat... I discovered I just needed to fight a dozen or so rusty screws after a couplecuts...

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Time to put it on the for sale section
 
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