HF spot welder for rails

gwolff · 03-01-2004, 11:02 AM

This weekend HF is putting their 230 volt spot welders on sale for $119. I know a few guys have bought one for welding their rails. What's the results? Did you have to make any modifications to the electrodes.....?

justashooter · 03-01-2004, 11:33 AM

i saw those in their store last week, and think you would have to arrange a differently shaped contact for the interior. spot welders are cool for a lot of things (especially stainless sheet), but i am pushing the idea of silver soldering these rails with a maap torch and coated silver soldering rod. very easy to do, takes five minutes, and is forever. brighten your contact surfaces before you install the center support and lower rails, rotate your rails into alignment, apply a vise grip to hold the rail in tight, and bring your heat and stick to the rail. you should be able to get this silver solder rod at any welding supply house.

cannoneer · 03-03-2004, 08:56 PM

You can make a custom electrode with tubing and a piece of copper rod. I've seen them but have'nt made one for mine yet.

Apple_Tech · 03-08-2004, 04:42 PM

Here is a home built spot welder. It does give you a good idea about a new custome electrode.

http://www.5bears.com/welder.htm

7.62x39 · 03-09-2004, 01:24 PM

Is that price only good at their stores?
They are $159. on their website

Rule .308 · 03-09-2004, 09:44 PM

I use the HF spot welder in 220 volt and it works choice. I machined up a piece of brass to fit inside the receiver when welding in the rails. I have seen a piece of simple copper water pipe with a copper pin stuck through it to acheive the same end. If I were to do it again I would just get the pipe, mash it down on one end, fit the copper tip/pin and be done with it

Badintermod · 03-14-2004, 08:55 PM

the 115volt version works great too, the good thing is that after you finish spot welding on all of your rails, you have 30 days to return it for a full refund.

spray-n-pray · 03-15-2004, 12:48 AM

The 220 voltversion was on sale last weekend for $119 for in the store shoppers. I know that doesn't help anyone right now, but HF has a tendency to repeat sales items so if you're a bit patient it may come up again. I bought one but haven't tried it yet

s & p

03-01-2004, 11:02 AM	#1
gwolff Member AKaholic #: 362 Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 50	HF spot welder for rails This weekend HF is putting their 230 volt spot welders on sale for $119. I know a few guys have bought one for welding their rails. What's the results? Did you have to make any modifications to the electrodes.....? __________________ westsidevirus

03-01-2004, 11:33 AM	#2
justashooter Member AKaholic #: 117 Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 438	i saw those in their store last week, and think you would have to arrange a differently shaped contact for the interior. spot welders are cool for a lot of things (especially stainless sheet), but i am pushing the idea of silver soldering these rails with a maap torch and coated silver soldering rod. very easy to do, takes five minutes, and is forever. brighten your contact surfaces before you install the center support and lower rails, rotate your rails into alignment, apply a vise grip to hold the rail in tight, and bring your heat and stick to the rail. you should be able to get this silver solder rod at any welding supply house. __________________ "That's what will happen if we are fighting with just our fists. Give each of us weapons, and you can imagine what that room will look like when were done with each other." http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/ i"ll live to see it, so i don't need to imagine.

03-09-2004, 09:44 PM	#6
Rule .308 Member AKaholic #: 551 Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 27	I use the HF spot welder in 220 volt and it works choice. I machined up a piece of brass to fit inside the receiver when welding in the rails. I have seen a piece of simple copper water pipe with a copper pin stuck through it to acheive the same end. If I were to do it again I would just get the pipe, mash it down on one end, fit the copper tip/pin and be done with it __________________ Rule .308

03-03-2004, 08:56 PM	#3
cannoneer New Member AKaholic #: 1590 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 8	You can make a custom electrode with tubing and a piece of copper rod. I've seen them but have'nt made one for mine yet.

03-08-2004, 04:42 PM	#4
Apple_Tech New Member AKaholic #: 1718 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NM Posts: 6	Here is a home built spot welder. It does give you a good idea about a new custome electrode. http://www.5bears.com/welder.htm

03-09-2004, 01:24 PM	#5
7.62x39 Senior Member AKaholic #: 463 Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 604	Is that price only good at their stores? They are $159. on their website

03-14-2004, 08:55 PM	#7
Badintermod Member AKaholic #: 1430 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Carmichael, California Posts: 38	the 115volt version works great too, the good thing is that after you finish spot welding on all of your rails, you have 30 days to return it for a full refund.

03-15-2004, 12:48 AM	#8
spray-n-pray Member Contributor AKaholic #: 929 Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 40	The 220 voltversion was on sale last weekend for $119 for in the store shoppers. I know that doesn't help anyone right now, but HF has a tendency to repeat sales items so if you're a bit patient it may come up again. I bought one but haven't tried it yet s & p

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