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DIY Spot welder
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 1:02 pm
by Nourish
I don't know where for sure to post this so I'll do it here.
I'd love a spot welder - I make such a mess with my Mig and even worse with the Tig.
I couldn't justify spending the money buying one in this country - we don't have 'Harbor Freight' here in the UK.
So how about making one? I'd like just to think aloud here on the possibilities of doing so if I may.
- s-l1600.jpg (90.96 KiB) Viewed 2745 times
These are some cheapo tongs from China. Could something like these be connected to an Arc welder? This would be nice and light if used with long leads
A timer would have to be added with a trigger switch - how?
Any ideas?
Re: DIY Spot welder
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 4:28 pm
by les
A spot welder is handy but don’t give up on the mig, far more universal, including spot welds. Like most things, practice!
Re: DIY Spot welder
Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 10:10 am
by Quantumrush
les wrote: ↑Fri Sep 24, 2021 4:28 pm
A spot welder is handy but don’t give up on the mig, far more universal, including spot welds. Like most things, practice!
Agreed.
When I first started using a mig I was horrible with it so I kept practicing and eventually got a bit better.
I've decided to pick up a welding course to help me
Make sure you have a good earth too!!
Re: DIY Spot welder
Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 11:59 am
by Nourish
I only have vision in one eye so struggle with depth of field. I'm told one eyed people can't weld - well this one can't!
Re: DIY Spot welder
Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 6:32 am
by kennatt
Re: DIY Spot welder
Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 9:47 am
by Nourish
Kennatt - Have you tried these?
Re: DIY Spot welder
Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 7:08 am
by kennatt
yes .drill a hole ,size depending on how big a spot you want in top sheet push tip hard down onto surface over hole to press the two sheets together.(Trim wire to level with end of tip) pull trigger . Practice on scrap sheets to get how many seconds to hold trigger. Some high end migs have a timer to set for the thickness of metal but after practice you get the feel of how many seconds you need to fire the gun.Sometimes it blows a hole through the bottom sheet if you hold it too long .If so,no problem just then fill hole with the usual rapiid dabbs of power.
Re: DIY Spot welder
Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 2:32 pm
by Matt
We don't have harbour frieght in the UK Either ;)
Those clamps you have pictured are all metal - so would not work very well as a spot welder!
Re: DIY Spot welder
Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 9:13 pm
by Nourish
"frieght " - Doh!
They do look crap but might work with a thick pair of gloves
