Abstract: A metal tube wall disintegrator is convertible in being able to disintegrate an arcuate or annular portion on the inner wall of the metal tube or to disintegrate merely one longitudinally extending portion on the inner wall of the tube. In the arcuate disintegrating mode, the disintegrator uses an electrode which is rotated at the end of a flexible cable inside the tube at a selected longitudinal position to be able to disintegrate or cut partially or completely through the tube wall. A first drive means rotates the flexible cable and electrode, and a second drive means rotates an outer tubular sheath of the flexible cable. This tubular sheath rotates a guide tip at the forward end of the outer sheath and the guide tip has a radially elongated, eccentric slot through which the electrode shaft extends. This permits a slow rotation of the eccentric slot so that the electrode disintegrator arc moves in an arcuate path around the inner tube wall.

Abstract: A portable disintegrator to disintegrate a hole in a metal workpiece is disclosed. Disintegrator current and coolant are supplied to the working end of an electrode which is vibrated in advance and retract axial movements. Guide means either actually engages the workpiece immediately surrounding the hole to be formed or engages a part of the workpiece closely adjacent where the hole is to be formed in the workpiece. The main frame of the metal disintegrator may be counterbalanced for weight but is guided by hand with freedom of limited movement in two dimensions during operation of the disintegrator.