Aluminium spot weld

[truckdoctor]

I make small model cars from sheet 1mm aluminium for the body and so far have bolted panels together but would like to spot weld. Is there any kit available that's price friendly as this is just a hobby.

 

[minimutly]

You'll end up with a blob of ally, is my thoughts. Surface tension has the tendency for the edges of a puddle to pull together, making spotwelds difficult, in my experience.

 

[500e]

What about Something like the battery cell welders
Like this, a lot of choices out there, presume it is very thin alloy

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AWithZ-Capacitor-Supports-Nickel-Coated-Building/dp/B0DYS5VJJ8?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UJ0S2ec_AtTZ1P4p82o7IZuWaBfmBIux87NNymiZz2U6xi-KAOBmmJW-h2CGyIG9TSwCbChB-zzQ499zB5htc5xcOn1tNwq-bvy_43jVxWeewIkTfsJk8XnInSMV4ZPcPPnuC36p1Ynt4kKJjzbqsUkHLMit9T7lMyb48gRVRip93g63RJAvZcZLxke9Kha06_SNrck7Od4mOMOlJQ6rw5rD6unvLFtYM7HGocSOUMOckPUV-QBvH49r1QJyLV8xSWEYw1wCRJpoOCo8w4YgjvJwM7RXxuZlrr9Bsz153WI.YHH0VhoAZMtIr-3ugAN9-X4JkGNvyKj-uRnmzwxC-9M&dib_tag=se&keywords=battery%2Bspot%2Bwelder&qid=1771179251&sr=8-10&th=1

 

[Misterg]

You'll end up with a blob of ally, is my thoughts. Surface tension has the tendency for the edges of a puddle to pull together, making spotwelds difficult, in my experience.

I believe that the trick with aluminium is to sandwich it between two thin sheets of steel (maybe stainless, I don't know). Most of the heat gets generated in the steel and melts the aluminium under the spot. I've never tried it though.

I've been meaning to try it with my little microwave oven transformer spot welder. I'll see if I can find a 'round tuit' in the next couple of days.

 

[Matchless]

I have welded aluminium with my treadle and hand held spot welders, mild steel sheet each side, usually works well, stainless may be better but always used zintec or whatever was under the guillotine! A spot welder for batteries may work,

 

[oldbikedavey]

I believe that the trick with aluminium is to sandwich it between two thin sheets of steel (maybe stainless, I don't know). Most of the heat gets generated in the steel and melts the aluminium under the spot. I've never tried it though.

I've been meaning to try it with my little microwave oven transformer spot welder. I'll see if I can find a 'round tuit' in the next couple of days.

The sandwich technique works, and I've tried it....

 

[truckdoctor]

What about Something like the battery cell welders
Like this, a lot of choices out there, presume it is very thin alloy

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AWithZ-Capacitor-Supports-Nickel-Coated-Building/dp/B0DYS5VJJ8?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UJ0S2ec_AtTZ1P4p82o7IZuWaBfmBIux87NNymiZz2U6xi-KAOBmmJW-h2CGyIG9TSwCbChB-zzQ499zB5htc5xcOn1tNwq-bvy_43jVxWeewIkTfsJk8XnInSMV4ZPcPPnuC36p1Ynt4kKJjzbqsUkHLMit9T7lMyb48gRVRip93g63RJAvZcZLxke9Kha06_SNrck7Od4mOMOlJQ6rw5rD6unvLFtYM7HGocSOUMOckPUV-QBvH49r1QJyLV8xSWEYw1wCRJpoOCo8w4YgjvJwM7RXxuZlrr9Bsz153WI.YHH0VhoAZMtIr-3ugAN9-X4JkGNvyKj-uRnmzwxC-9M&dib_tag=se&keywords=battery%2Bspot%2Bwelder&qid=1771179251&sr=8-10&th=1

Thanks, yes I've seen a video of these for welding connecting batteries together and I'm not sure they will have enough power.

 

[truckdoctor]

I believe that the trick with aluminium is to sandwich it between two thin sheets of steel (maybe stainless, I don't know). Most of the heat gets generated in the steel and melts the aluminium under the spot. I've never tried it though.

I've been meaning to try it with my little microwave oven transformer spot welder. I'll see if I can find a 'round tuit' in the next couple of days.

Thanks, i look forward to your results.

 

[Laurie Tedcastle]

The sandwich technique works, and I've tried it....

Was demonstated to the class during my Contour Autocraft lessons in panelcraft. Smallish spot welder (like the machine mart one) run at full power if I recall correctly. This was 2 pieces 1 mm aluminium sandwiched between 2 pieces of 1mm cold rolled steel. Perfect joint every time.

Laurie