yes , i've used them , and for the same thing........its a pain in the ass , just like the gouging rods......but it works....
if the pin has been worn down in a way where pushing it out no matter how much pressure is applied is out of the question , then you have no choice but to wash the whole damm thing out of there ,,,, bummer.......,,,,,,,, the torch you talked about comes in various sizes , we use them up to 5 ft. long , still , you have to get good at it , like everything else.....sometimes , i use a number 12 scarfing tip,,,,it works well , its so big , that i will start to burn a 1 inch hole ,,,,,,,,,,just hold the torch fixed , don't move it , and it will form a nice stream that will stay intact , it will keep burning many inches from the torch tip like this before you have to move the torch closer ,,,,,,,do this for a minute or so , and then just knock off the big chunk of slag and continue , its comes out really clean.......you can wash out this type of hole an easy 12 inches......
alot of times , you just have to relieve some of the surrounding pressure , you can blow your hole slightly off center , then once you've pierced thru , start over again , and keep washing out a line thru the length , up the long way,,,,,working your way up to the bushing,,,,,,,this really helps in knocking that M F out of there......
you don't need the battery to ignite the rods,,,,,,the torch will work....
I have the Slice Torch. I have the Broco Underwater Cutting Torch. They are both great for Pins, lancing concrete, lancing through safes, coper Etc. Look into the BROCO Torch. Their cut rods are better than the slice torch rods. The resultant cut cannot be welded successfully, so plan on heavy grinding if welding is to follow. The burning pipe approach requires a very expensive regulator assembly, chuck and valve handle and a lot of oxygen, so it is not practical for pins. Be carefull. Wear leathers, face and eye protection. I suggest that you practice before you go out on the first job. There is a learning curve for piercing and hollowing out long pins.