Tiny welder for craft use?

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I would like to know if there are any welders that would be useful for welding small pieces of metal like sheetmetal, wire, nuts, bolts, washers and anything else that could be used for craft use.I would like to make ornaments from scrap metal like ones I have seen for sale that were made out of the materials listed above.The size of the ornaments would be around 30cm tall, maybe up to 50cm tall.They would be made from one type of material each to avoid issues with joining dissimilar metals but I would like the option of using more than just steel so I can make some from copper, others from aluminium etc.Most things would be tack welded together so continuous seams would not be necessary but could be useful.I have used an oxy-acetalene torch to weld before (in high school) but am unsure whether one would be capable of being used for fine work like this.What type and size of welder would I need?Arc, MIG, TIG, oxy-acetalene?Are there any that could be used for fine detailed welding or would I have to build something myself? (I have some electronics skills)
Reply:I would suggest a regular Oxy-Acetylene with a really small tip. They also make really small torches like this one: (http://cgi.ebay.com/SMITH-LITTLE-TOR...QQcmdZViewItem) for jewelers.Oxy-Acetylene can give you excellent control over heat especially at this scale. It will also allow you to braze or solder dissimilar metals in the event that your designs ever call for it.Also, using these size of welding tips means you don't really need very large bottles of gas.Visit Tensaiteki.com
Reply:A small jewelers torch is available. Might also want to consider a small spot welder.
Reply:seen a small cheap TIG machine a while back at the local farmers coop...
Reply:Welcome and the Oxy-Acetylene is the way to go.   JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:Yeah, a flame would WORK, but TIG is ALOT better and waaaaaaay more convenient.Miller EconotigCutmaster 38Yes ma'am, that IS a screwdriver in my pocket!
Reply:Truth is, the smaller the stuff you want to weld is, the more $$$ the welding machine... unless you go with a torch.***************************************Lincoln AC225 stick welderLincoln HD100 WeldPak flux core wire feed welderThree of the cheapest grinders money can buy
Reply:Cheers for the replies.I hadn't even though about jewellers torches, I should have, I will have a look for something like what Tensaiteki suggested, hopefully I can get one at little cost here in Australia.I might consider a small spot welder for sheetmetal as eburgblue suggested but are there any small enough for what I want that can be hand held so I can use it in any position or would it be better to build one? I have heard of people building spot welders from MOT's (microwave oven transformers) that have had the secondary rewound with thicker windings and less turns as well as using a second MOT as a ballast.What sort of TIG welders are available that would be small enough and can they be used with dissimilar metals like oxy-acetylene can?I will have to look around at farmers coop's like slamdvw suggested.
Reply:You will always find a use for a good torch, even a good jewelers torch. (Those look so cool!) I would try that first and if you find the need for more versatility, look into the tig welder market.Spot welding hundreds of points in sheet metal?Google spot welder!Link to spot welders offered by Northern Tool.Nice Web Handle! City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Originally Posted by tanglediverYou will always find a use for a good torch, even a good jewelers torch. (Those look so cool!) I would try that first and if you find the need for more versatility, look into the tig welder market.
Reply:I have personally been looking into something like an Econotig.http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/I want to be able to work on aluminum, therefore I'ld want an AC/DC machine. Small, inverter machines are available in DC only for cheap, but you need AC for aluminum. *(Yes, I know dc will work on aluminum, but.) Another awesome choice is the Dynasty series machines. Lincoln has great machines also, I simply haven't researched them well, yet!  http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...rowse=101|207|When you see "tig high frequency" that is akin to AC, for aluminum. If you only need to weld steel and stainless, look for a cheap, inverter dc only machine.Edit:- Oh, for really light duty welding, as in welding razor blades, look for a machine to output as low an amperage as possible. 5 amps is very, very low. 20 amps is low enough for me.Last edited by tanglediver; 12-27-2007 at 01:12 AM.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny