spot welding 1/16" thick aluminium equipment options and suggestions please

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[Are  there any resistance spot welding machines that spot weld aluminum together well that are not propritary like GM's? cool tech that came out 3 years ago?if not are there spot welders less than $2000 than can spot weld aluminum together? I read about the trick to use two pieces of steel to concentrate the heat. IN my research I found a machine made by fronious that uses a sacrificail steel spool  as well. I was surprised to not find any dedicated aluminum spot welders, just work arounds.
Reply:this is the fronius delta spot welder, very cool!
Reply:seems the MFDC spot welders are what is recommended for aluminum, now just have to figgure out who makes them and price?
Reply:You need a LOT of power to spot weld aluminum correctly.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:What's on that ribbon in the bottom electrode the first spot welderTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:talked to tj snow a company that makes aluminum spot weld machines:mid frequency converter machines only run on 3 phase electricity which I dont' have.100kva 200amp is minimum needed for 1/16th aluminumI'd have to spend aroudn $1000 just to have a dedicated 200 amp line run to the machine.single phase10-15 welds a minute120-200 emery cloth clean up on electrodes.Price  $20,000 18" throat5" cylinder 7 feet tall7 fet long 3 to 4 feet wide. 2,000 lbs. entron weld conrolobviously too expensive I think I will just try the scrap steel in a $150 harbor freight unit and see how it works. I was hoping for something better, but from my limited knowledge and research there is not anything. I was hoping for something less than $2000No sense spending big bucks if the results are not there. .
Reply:If this hits the news big enough I think Harbor Freight will have one out in the spring catalog. GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:anyone use this kit? on 1/16 aluminum sheet metal?  I'm thinking the aluminum would banna peel away, but maybe the clamps prevent that. hot cracking?
Reply:What are you trying to do? Just Tig weld it.Then go dip your torch in water........ And shock yourselfTorchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleThen go dip your torch in water........ And shock yourself
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTExperience?
Reply:Better grab 🍺,   Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:um yea, just hit it with an instantaneous 200A+ blast from a tig.  Just clean the surfaces as clean as possible of the oxide film with the normal SS brush/acetone deal in order to set the balance as high as possible to get the most penetration..  Worst case scenario drill the side facing the tungsten tip with a 1/16-5/64" drill bit to make sure the puddle goes all the way through.  Easy enough.Last edited by Oscar; 10-25-2015 at 03:10 PM. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:the whole point of a spot welder is to weld things quickly. drilling holes and tigging it is about the slowest possible method, no thanks. and to all the trolls I've got you on my block list you are wasting your time I dont' even read your drivel.
Reply:You can weld 1/16" aluminum with a spool gun if you get your machine and gun set just right.  That would be quicker than the pinch weld spot welders.  Many years ago I was involved in aluminum satellite dishes.  They were 1/16" aluminum and were spool gunned.  No one wanted to spend the time tigging all the joints.... and we didn't spot clean or prep the joints.  If you are dead-set on spot welding several thicknesses of aluminum together without welding the edges, then you'll need to continue your search for the spot/pinch welder.DougMiller Syncrowave 350Millermatic 252/ 30A spoolgunMiller Bobcat 225g w/ 3545 spoolgunLincoln PowerArc4000Lincoln 175 Mig  Lincoln 135 Mig Everlast 250EX TigCentury ac/dc 230 amp stickVictor O/AHypertherm 1000 plasma
Reply:Originally Posted by AluminumWelderthe whole point of a spot welder is to weld things quickly. drilling holes and tigging it is about the slowest possible method, no thanks. and to all the trolls I've got you on my block list you are wasting your time I dont' even read your drivel.
Reply:Since we call it resistance spot welding, key word resistance. I presume the current supplied must be very high to heat aluminum. With no shielding gas is flux needed?An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:I've never seen flux or shielding gas used in my research. Gonna try this:
Reply:this was one of the first videos I stumbled upon googling, but I just thought there had to be a more expensive higher quality way to do it, (but not $20,000) maybe not?
Reply:Looks like it works pretty good to me.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:I wonder if using thinner steel would transfer more of the heat to the aluminum?Miller Syncrowave 350Millermatic 252/ 30A spoolgunMiller Bobcat 225g w/ 3545 spoolgunLincoln PowerArc4000Lincoln 175 Mig  Lincoln 135 Mig Everlast 250EX TigCentury ac/dc 230 amp stickVictor O/AHypertherm 1000 plasma