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Spot Welder Power Settings...

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I`ve got a spot welder I`m trying to use for thin stainless sheet. (.020") Problem is, it`s way too powerful and there`s no adjustment. I`ve been looking at some way of toning down the power and was wondering if I can use a variable speed control device for controlling the input voltage. The welder is a 110v AC. Would this work? The owners manual that came with it stated that for that gauge of steel the switch should have to be depressed for 2-4 seconds. I can`t hold the switch for more than

1/4 sec without blowing holes through both pieces! Any help appreciated.

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Reply to
datsun280zman
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Stainless has higher electrical resistance and lower heat conductivity, so it will take less power to spot weld it.

Several things will work. I think a variable speed control will work, but you need to see what the current draw of the spot welder is and how much current your variable speed control will supply without burning up.

You can use a buck transformer to reduce the voltage to the spot welder. Or a variac.

Depending on the current the spot welder draws, you might be able to put a 12 volt headlamp in series with the input.

The cheapest solution would be to make a buck transformer using a Microwave Oven Transformer from a scrapped microwave. Can give you more info on doing this if that is something you want to try.

=20 Dan

Reply to
dcaster

Reply to
RoyJ

What's that Lassie? You say that datsun280zman fell down the old sci.engr.joining.welding mine and will die if we don't mount a rescue by Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:33:36 +0000:

Could you change tips to something wider, to spread the power over a larger area?

Reply to
dan

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