Apparatus and method for separating and replacing a cap from a shank of a tip of a welding electrode. The cap and the shank form a peripheral hollow joint that is defined by a recessed end surface of the shank and a back surface of the cap. The apparatus includes a guide frame having a recessed portion sized for receiving the tip of the welding electrode. The apparatus also includes a cap withdrawing tool movably mounted on the guide frame. The tool has two facing wall sections each having a wedge that is inserted in the peripheral hollow joint. The wedge is forced against the back surface of the cap and removes the cap from the shank by means of a driving mechanism that moves the cap withdrawing tool toward the tip of the welding electrode that is engaged in the recessed portion of the guide frame.
