Spot Welding Basics

Thanks tim

Is this a good sort of machine for welding metal mesh to metal mesh?

Hi. Can you cut and extend clumps? If I want to make tool box I need to go in 20 inch and weld.
Or can I use battery charging cable and hand help electrode?

You want a slight radius on your electrode faces, and this is best done on a lathe. More, you need to have the electrodes meet precisely, which means you need to adjust them for the planned thickness of material to be “spotted.” Finally, the electrode faces need to be cleaned and “dressed” on a frequent basis.

Note also that thicker, .045-.065 material really wants the 220 version. (I have this one, and have done two pieces of .065 material with it. It only needed a brief “pulse” of 1/2 second or so to create a solid weld nugget. Multiple smaller weld nuggets seem to work best, based on my limited experience with the spot-welder.)

For best consistency, especially with short (less than 1 second) weld times, you want a weld-timer. I plan to purchase or make one for mine.

You should try blunting the tips more. It works well that way with the 220V at least.

The 220V version of the same machine works much faster AND in Canada at least, it costs about the same! Some people will pay because they only have 115V.

Great video and wonderful machine

Bro looks like Keanu Reeves if he was a welder.

Dude! This is an awesome video! I have been thinking about buying a used spot welder and learn how to make helpful things on my own. I will watch more of your videos for tips. Thanks so much.

Can you use a single handed spot welding using a big machine, like the green one you have on the background? I have that version of spot welder hence I am asking..

Thanks, I'm in Uganda need to purchase one, any assistance

Harbor now sells a 220 version because the 110 just can't do the job.

thank you for this tutorial, after scrolling around your channel I realized I needed to subscribe

Is this a good option for galvanized sheet metal? I'm making quail cages, feeders, and recall funnels. A spot welder would save lots of time vs rivets and more cleanable

Do I need copper tip for each electrode ?

Another great video. Keep it up. To make good quality spot welds you have to make the welding electrodes to be coaxial when the welding materials are between the electrodes & the proper clamping force is applied. Sparking is not normal and could be dangerous ( proper protective gear is a must ). The factory supplied upper tong end has to be bent more to get coaxial with the bottom end. It is obvious that for every thickness of welded materials you will have to use different diameter / length welding tips & set up their alignment individually. A timer is also a must for good quality spot welds. There are timers with welding time compensation. These are monitoring the welding current and adjusting the welding time accordingly.

Thanks

Good jop

Great video as usual. Quick tip - once you have the electrodes aligned after shaping, use a fine cut double sided file and lightly clamp the electrodes on it at 90° and give it two to theee light strokes, this ensures that the contact areas are parralell and the have matching contact areas

Hey Tim I always get a lot out of your videos. The way you explain things and your enthusiasm for welding is infectious. I only picked up a welder about a year ago after watching a few of your videos and I haven't looked back. I've fixed a few things around the house and built a smoker with the knowledge you've passed on and just by giving it a go. To enhance my skills I have enrolled in a welding course which starts next year. I'd just like to thank you for kindling my passion for welding and I always look forward to your next video. Thanks again, Glen

My buddy bought one of those. I seem to remember it sucked and was stupid slow. If it was 240, they could have upped the amps and made it a useful tool.

Another good one, Tim. Takes me back to my shop class days. Thank you!

Very interesting. I had wondered what those welders are used for. 🤔

This takes me back to my junior high metal shop days making a tool box and dust pan with spot welds. 👍

Cool

No sparks, no arc shots 😂