Topic: Spot welder

[Bring Sally Up]

Hi Guys. Just wondering if anyone could recommend a spot welder. I own a restoration shop and would like to start spot welding panels on to look more original then the transitional plug weld with a kit. Thanks.

[67gtasanjose]

I personally do not have any recommendations but I do "know a guy" in Florida who has a Mustang restoration shop and he has what looks to be a very expensive spot welder for doing his work. If nobody else has a great suggestion, I can contact him and find out what he uses.

[RoyceP]

Marquette made the Rotunda tool for Ford dealers. It is a good working tool if you can find one complete with the tips and leads. Here's one on eBay right now:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/60s-70s-Marquette-Ready-Spot-Electric-Spot-Welder-Vintage-Tool-Machine-Gun/362299326443?hash=item545ab8ffeb%3Ag%3AZ1IAAOSwdbZa2hN5&LH_ItemCondition=4

I've tried the Eastwood spot weld kit that says it adapts your stick welder to make it do spot welds. What a ripoff that was.

[Bossbill]

I've used the commercial -- Miller I believe -- tong welders with great success. The 240V version is recommended.

There are many tong lengths and styles available.

These used to be available at the larger rental centers allowing you to try them prior to purchase

[bryancobb]

This worked really well for me!  $350 off Ebay.  Does everything from one side.
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/2/1/4/0/2/Lencospot-Mark-II-1-WEB.jpg

[J_Speegle]

Just an observation - Many options for spot welders but fewer will produce factory looking welds and there are many locations on a fully assembled car where you can't reach with a spot welder.

Because of this many have taken up the challenge and developed the skills to use patches rather than to touch the factory welds or deal with the date code issue. Have seen shops do 10-20 solid nice patches to a large panel rather than replace the whole thing

[scottwo]

I picked up a VersaSpot 7000 last winter, haven't had a chance to hook it up.
Purchased used and the seller gave me a quick lesson while still energized.
It not only pneumatically pinched and welded the overlap joint but was set to pulsate, made a great looking factory spot weld.
I paid $1600 for it used and it included an extra set of long arms.
When I was looking, I did occasionally find other reasonably priced spot welders on Craigslist.
Just make sure they're single phase, providing you don't have 3 phase in your shop.
Good luck.

http://www.800usaweld.com/products/spot_welders/versaspot.html

[69bossnut]

I use the ProSpot I4 it is an excellent machine & reproduces a very correct spot weld. I have modified some of the tips so you get some of the larger spot welds you see in some areas. Here’s a link to the manufacturers page. https://prospot.com/products/i4/

[CharlesTurner]

I use the ProSpot I4 it is an excellent machine & reproduces a very correct spot weld. I have modified some of the tips so you get some of the larger spot welds you see in some areas. Here’s a link to the manufacturers page. https://prospot.com/products/i4/

How much do these normally run for the base unit?

I have one of the Lenco versions, with fluid cooled tips.

[69bossnut]

I bought the complete package & it was just a little over 25K. If I remember the unit with the base pieces was about 22K.