Abstract: The invention relates to a milling tool (1) for opening laser welded connections between thin metal sheets. The milling tool includes a rotary drive (2), which is used to operate a milling cutter (9). The head of the milling cutter (9) protrudes through an opening (28) in a base plate (4) that forms an even contact surface (25) for defining the penetration depth of the milling cutter head in the material. In addition, the base plate (4) is provided with a lateral contact surface or contact edge (27) that introduces the reaction force, which originates from the cutting force, directly and rapidly into a contact surface of the bodywork section that is to be treated.