Spot Welder
Turbo Mini Forums

I managed to get a spot welder for virtually free, an old clarke 1+1 welder so not massive but itll handle some panels.

Only problem is im not 100% sure how to use it. It has the adjuster to adjust the force of the grip.

To this date im assuming you clamp it, the welder then switches on and begins to heat the metal up. Once its heated enough, you then clamp down hard and the machine cuts off but still grips the metal correct?

Its a clarke CW11. Contact tips etc are in pretty good shape. How long do you reckon I should be holding the clamp down with machine on? Seems to take about 10seconds for metal to get to melting point? Limitations according to the machine are 20seconds between welds to allow cool down/cycle.

cut some 3/4" wide strips of metal of the gauge you'll be working, make a 3/4" overlap, and practice...

This way you can try pulling and twisting them apart. This is the ONLY way you'll know what a good weld is.

It shouldn't be brittle, and the metal around the spot on a 3/4" wide strip should fatigue at about the same time as the spot as you're bending and twisting the 'spot' apart...

The 'spot' should 'dimple' the surface very slightly, but not 'erode' or make an indentation more than 1/4 the thickness of the material. If it does, you are doing it too long.

Practice, and it'll all make sense... Don't even think about using it on a mini till you've practiced...

mini work dont start till july so got plenty time!