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I'm doing some bodywork which involves cutting out and replacing some sheet metal that was originally spot welded. I could just butt the 2 pieces up together and do a sort of spot weld with my Mig welder, but I was thinking of getting one of those HF (Harbor Freight) spot welders. They have a 110v and 220v version- the 110v is on sale right now for ~$160- the 220v is about $80-100 more.


So, has anyone used one of these? I know how these things are SUPPOSED to work, just wondering if this is one of those HF tools to avoid, or if it's OK. OR, if you own one you want to lend/rent/sell- let me know.


Thanks!

Bret

Bret,

I have no experience with the HF spot welder. However I am faced with the same issue and I am going to just be drilling a series of holes (probably 3/8" or less) in one of the two peices and just filling in that hole with my mig welder. You can grind down the weld flush when finished. My understanding is that this is a common way of simulating spot welds in replacement panels. I also am going to be replacing a number of items that I would not be able to reach by using something like the HF spot welder.

If there is one HF welder I AM considering, it would be the inexpensive (roughly $200 when on sale) Stick/TIG welder. It uses lift start for TIG (which I have done in welding class and was OK with).

Richard

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
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2015 Honda Fit EX
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Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

Thanks for the reply Richard.

I have done the "plug" welding that you describe, and I was thinking of doing it in this case as well. But, I just thought that it might be alot easier and require less finish work (like almost -0-) if I were to use the spot welder.

Last time I used one of these was in Jr High shop glass, we made a small wall mounted candle holder that looked like a grain scoop- with a metal scoop wrapped around a wooden base- we had to bend the metal around and put like 3 or 4 spot welds to hold it together. Not sure who came up with this idea- as the school was in CT!! (seems more like something you'd see around here in Johnston Co).


Bret

There is a company that offers a lot of auto restoration equipment. I cannot think of their name. Anyway they sell a spot welder attachment(Looks like a big set of pinchers) that you attach to your stick welder. That might give you a better quality tool than the Harbor Freight model.

It looks a lot like the spot welder in the link(Which is a self cantained unit)

http://www.welding-direct.com/milautspotwe.html

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RedLanternRacing, builders of the fastest cars in last place.
Success is not an option.
1981 Scirocco, "Vera"

I have one of the 220v spot welders and it works fine.
SAM

Eastwood?

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

Yep. EastWood

Maybe this is what I am remembering: http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?item ... pe=PRODUCT

_________________
RedLanternRacing, builders of the fastest cars in last place.
Success is not an option.
1981 Scirocco, "Vera"