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Is a spot welder a worthwhile investment
RENNWAGEN - August 14th, 2013 at 11:25 PM

I'm just about to start cutting and welding on my split bus. Are the $350 spot welders ( they claim to weld up to 3.5 mm mild steel ) you see around worthwhile. A lot of the work around the sills, nose etc were originally spot welded and if these machines are good enough they would be a lot easier than drilling and plug welding with my mig.


Governor - August 15th, 2013 at 07:28 AM

How long are the arms??
The ones I have seen only have arms at the most 200mm long
I doubt a store bought spot welder will be able to be used doing sills or the front nose?
Maybe just the bottoms but not where the new sill or nose meets the original panel.


AndrewB - August 18th, 2013 at 09:22 PM

i have used one of the 300ish mm arm units... After puting a plug on it, i used it once lol. It will do all the lips of most panels....


vlad01 - August 20th, 2013 at 01:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by AndrewB
i have used one of the 300ish mm arm units... After puting a plug on it, i used it once lol. It will do all the lips of most panels....


did it work good? I wouldn't mind a spot welder ;)


AndrewB - August 23rd, 2013 at 09:47 PM

It was alright, Came from that yank mob, harbour freight I believe they are called... I only used it to fix some dual carb aircleaner brackets and stuff


RENNWAGEN - August 26th, 2013 at 03:29 PM

Mine just arrived today. Im going to be using it for the edges of the sills nose window openings etc where the factory used spot welds. All body panels will be but joined and stitched with the mig. I'll have a play and let you know how it goes.


HappyDaze - August 26th, 2013 at 03:36 PM

Make sure you wear safety glasses, Shane.:yes:


RENNWAGEN - August 26th, 2013 at 05:46 PM

Yeah, apparently no need for welding mask but safety googles a must. if the tong preasure isnt quite right it spits a bit but first few welds on two pieces of 1mm steel nice little 6mm wide circle takes about 3 seconds and i cant get it apart with a hammer and a chisel. Pretty happy with the purchase and I'll save on gym fees swinging this thing around.:cool:


vlad01 - August 27th, 2013 at 08:52 PM

can you post some pics of the welds? where did you buy it from?