Well done. I use similar tactics in bearing removal.
I didn't think to take pics, as no welding was involved, but on reflection I did use a cutting torch to remove the old bearings recently on a 1HP 3-phase motor. I washed them off the rotor shaft just as you did in the picture. The trick is to have a super-clean tip that will cut precisely, then wash the inner race to within a 32nd of an inch. This is enough disruption to easily slide the remains off without cutting all the way through and risking scarring the shaft. It's a great technique to practice, as even with the proper press, fixtures, and fitting, an old rusty shaft will damage itself in the bearing's removal.
Then, I got to use my favorite tactic... I dropped the whole rotating assembly in liquid nitrogen for five minutes or so, until the boiling stopped, then basically slid the new bearings on by hand, with a couple gentle taps on a shaft-sized socket to confirm they were fully seated. Call it a different definition of "cold pressed"...
Steve S
