Abstract: A method for spot scarfing a metal workpiece comprising continuously producing a pilot puddle on the surface of the workpiece, spreading the pilot puddle to a preselected width with a high intensity stream of oxygen gas, and impinging a stream of scarfing oxygen gas on the spread puddle and an apparatus to practice same.

Abstract: A process for spot scarfing the surface of a metal workpiece comprising:(a) impinging a stream of pilot oxygen gas upon a portion of the workpiece which is at least at its oxygen ignition temperature, said stream of pilot oxygen gas being narrower than the width of a desired scarfing cut,(b) causing relative motion between said workpiece and said stream of pilot oxygen gas, so as to continuously produce a pilot puddle of molten metal along a chosen path on the surface of the workpiece,(c) contacting said pilot puddle with a high intensity stream of oxygen gas so as to spread the puddle to a preselected width when said puddle reaches an area to be spot scarfed on the surface of said workpiece, and(d) scarfing said area by impinging a stream of scarfing oxygen gas on the spread puddle, said stream of scarfing oxygen gas being wider than the pilot oxygen stream.