Which spot welder help please.

[stevewidds]

Hi peeps as the title says I've got a classic mini restoration and I'm thinking of buying a spot welder which is adequate for the job, I may get another project down the line but maybe not so don't want to spend ridiculous amount but some that does a reasonable job, so what make would you recommend and how much thanks..

 

[zzr1200]

A mig welder, an auto darking helmet, a bottle of gas, a 115mm grinder, plus loads of other bits/tools that you'll need.

I'd forget the spot welder idea.

 

[tom2207]

trouble with spot welders on a Mini restoration is that you need something to '' spot '' to .


as above a mig will be handier , unless you have one to start with , even then id pass on a spot welder.

 

[zzr1200]

Plus you would spend more money on different shaped arms for access to panel joints that the machine itself.

 

[stevewidds]

Thanks guys I've got a mig set up and I obviously do understand that you need good clean metal for the spot welder but I wanted it all to look more professional than plug welds ground down thanks for the help..

 

[daedalusminos]

I can fully understand why you'd want a spot welder - especially for a Mini with so many external seams.

I've got an old Clarke CSW6T (I think!) spec'd for 1+1mm but will do 1+1+1+1mm and 1.5+1.5mm. I think that model is now replaced with the fuzzy logic one and I've seen ones on eBay at approx £350.

However, as mentioned above you will need a selection of electrodes - expect to be paying upwards of £500, though your best bet is to make your own.

This is why I like spot welding...

 

[stevewidds]

I can fully understand why you'd want a spot welder - especially for a Mini with so many external seams.

I've got an old Clarke CSW6T (I think!) spec'd for 1+1mm but will do 1+1+1+1mm and 1.5+1.5mm. I think that model is now replaced with the fuzzy logic one and I've seen ones on eBay at approx £350.

However, as mentioned above you will need a selection of electrodes - expect to be paying upwards of £500, though your best bet is to make your own.

This is why I like spot welding...
View attachment 303014

View attachment 303015

Thanks tbh I might not ever get another project so its a big out lay just for one car, and that money could be spent buying new panels lol..

 

[Shedendman]

Thanks guys I've got a mig set up and I obviously do understand that you need good clean metal for the spot welder but I wanted it all to look more professional than plug welds ground down thanks for the help..

do them right,whos going to know any better

 

[atomant48]

Thanks tbh I might not ever get another project so its a big out lay just for one car, and that money could be spent buying new panels lol..

Do you mean 350 is too much to lay out ? I was also going to suggest the Clarke 13 one - I bought one years ago after lots of research (and looking at the relatively cheaper ones in harbour freight in the states) but it’s sat in the box ever since without even a plug attached. Life happened !!

I always figured I’d sell it when done and pretty much get my money back - they seem to go for really good money S/H. When I do start I will definitely be using it for the easy to get to bits like in pics above - I just couldn’t be bothered trying to achieve the same with the mig (I did do it that way on a MG years ago and it works sure but it’s not the same in my view if you want it to appear anything like the original.)