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HF spot welder
- Thread starter gorilla
- Start date
kabinenroller
Well-known member
The HF unit will work for basic use. It is very heavy and awkward so it does not fit in a tight space. You might be better off finding a local body shop who has a professional spot unit and would be willing to do a small job.
I have a Lenco Spot, instead of two copper tongs to has two cables with stingers on the end. It is quite versatile, and works well on body thickness sheet metal.
I have a Lenco Spot, instead of two copper tongs to has two cables with stingers on the end. It is quite versatile, and works well on body thickness sheet metal.
joe_padavano
Well-known member
I have the HF 110V spot welder. I picked it up used at a swap meet. It works amazingly well. You need to ensure that the tips are properly shaped and aligned. Practice with clamping time to get sufficient penetration. I ran a number of test welds using auto body sheet metal, then tried peeling the welds part to check for penetration. I'm pretty happy with it, especially considering the cost. I can't speak to the ability to weld a three sheet thickness. You may want to consider the 220 v version.
The project is welding the raingutters to the birdcage on my 63 Corvette coupe. The birdcage is two layers spot welded together about.157". The raingutters are about .050" and weld to the lower side of the birdcage. I have both MIG and TIG so I think that I'll just plug weld. Thanks for the replys.
rsanter
Well-known member
Where are you?
Perhaps a member has a welder you can use, or rent
Bob
Perhaps a member has a welder you can use, or rent
Bob
HMCFab9
Well-known member
Don't waste your money on a 110. The 220 even has a hard time with 3 layers.
boman
Member
Not sure what type of tong you maybe looking for, but here is an option..
http://ak-builder.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29794http://
http://ak-builder.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29794http://
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
I am wondering if anyone has any updates or new information on this welder ? I am thinking about getting one for auto body sheet metal but am wondering if opinions have changed since this thread was created ?
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
joe_padavano
Well-known member
I am wondering if anyone has any updates or new information on this welder ? I am thinking about getting one for auto body sheet metal but am wondering if opinions have changed since this thread was created ?
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
If you are asking about the HF 110V welder, I stand by my earlier post. Not one complaint. It has worked great for everything I've used it for, though I have not attempted to weld anything thicker that two sheets at about 16 gauge. I did make a number of sample welds when I first got the unit (since it was used) and peeled them apart. Excellent penetration. Again, be sure the tips are filed and aligned. You can control penetration by how long you leave the power on - look at the diameter of the red spot that forms from the heat. It takes some trial and error to figure out what the right time is, but once you do, it works great.
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
If you are asking about the HF 110V welder, I stand by my earlier post. Not one complaint. It has worked great for everything I've used it for, though I have not attempted to weld anything thicker that two sheets at about 16 gauge. I did make a number of sample welds when I first got the unit (since it was used) and peeled them apart. Excellent penetration. Again, be sure the tips are filed and aligned. You can control penetration by how long you leave the power on - look at the diameter of the red spot that forms from the heat. It takes some trial and error to figure out what the right time is, but once you do, it works great.
Thanks for the update. I had a feeling it would probably work for the lighter gauge sheet metal I am looking to weld. I think a lot of the negative reviews come from the tips not being aligned correctly or people not using vise grip spot weld pliers to hold the metal together. I will have to get one and get to melting metal !
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ghnl
Well-known member
I have the HF 110V unit. It works OK for thin sheet metal (up to two layers of 18ga). The metal has to be clean and fit together well.
Plug welds with a MIG are likely stronger & easier though.
Plug welds with a MIG are likely stronger & easier though.
finn
Well-known member
I have a Delta.
Used it a couple of times, but a mig with a plug weld is quicker and easier, so it sits under the bench.
Used it a couple of times, but a mig with a plug weld is quicker and easier, so it sits under the bench.
rsanter
Well-known member
I have a miller spot welder and love it.
Even that one needed some adjusting and tuning in (and tuning if the operator) to make really good welds for autobody work.
I have heard good things about the HF unit, they are pretty simple machines. You can expect to have a learning curve to learn to get really good and good looking results.
I wanted a factory appearance which is why I bought the thing. I had to buy extra tips and turn them on the lathe to have a larger contact area. Then to compensate for the fact that I have a much smaller machine with a much larger tip I learned that I have to pulse the trigger to build up the head in that spot without just holding the trigger and getting too much sink of the spot I am making.
The machine is heavy so using a cherry picker to hold the machine while,you are doing this will keep it steady for a good and good appearing result.
Yes I have tested my welds and they are as hard as the factory ones to break. I even had an incident where I was in an accident (not my fault) with a car I repaired and that panel scrunched and accordianed and the spot welds held
Bob
Even that one needed some adjusting and tuning in (and tuning if the operator) to make really good welds for autobody work.
I have heard good things about the HF unit, they are pretty simple machines. You can expect to have a learning curve to learn to get really good and good looking results.
I wanted a factory appearance which is why I bought the thing. I had to buy extra tips and turn them on the lathe to have a larger contact area. Then to compensate for the fact that I have a much smaller machine with a much larger tip I learned that I have to pulse the trigger to build up the head in that spot without just holding the trigger and getting too much sink of the spot I am making.
The machine is heavy so using a cherry picker to hold the machine while,you are doing this will keep it steady for a good and good appearing result.
Yes I have tested my welds and they are as hard as the factory ones to break. I even had an incident where I was in an accident (not my fault) with a car I repaired and that panel scrunched and accordianed and the spot welds held
Bob