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John McComas
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| Joined: | Mon Dec 4th, 2006 |
| Location: | Independence, Missouri USA |
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Posted: Tue Jul 22nd, 2008 03:57 am |
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I'm wondering if any one has any actual experience with spot welding cages...?
Would a 120 Volt 1.5KVA spot welder be hot enough, or should I opt for a 2.5 KVA
unit.
The 1.5 KVA unit says it's good for 1/8th Inch thick metal, whereas the 2.5 KVA unit
is good for 3/16" thick.
The largest cage wires would be on a large Freshy, but I would also like to do
smaller cage wires also...
Thanks for your help...
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Tripp Robbins
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| Joined: | Thu Feb 7th, 2008 |
| Location: | Albany, Georgia USA |
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Posted: Tue Jul 22nd, 2008 07:24 am |
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John, I use a Lincoln Pro-mig 135.I haven't found anything yet that I wanted to weld together that I coludn't. I think they did away w/ the 135 and have made a 140 now. It's great. I use a shielding gas rather than flux core as flux core spatters and using the gas gives you a nice even weld. Also it's hot enough that if you aren't careful you will burn clean through the cage wire. This model alows you to adjust the sped of the wire as well as the "juice" you are putting to the metal. check this link:
http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentdatasheet.aspx?p=48148
hope this helps you bro!
Tripp
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Randy Rohr
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Posted: Tue Jul 22nd, 2008 11:00 am |
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John,
I used to spot weld cages and grills all the time. I used a 1.5KVA unit, don't remember the brand- Lincoln I think. A welder that will do 1/8" plate will easily do 3/16" wire-on-wire because of the reduced contact area and the fact that these welds usually don't fully penetrate the wire thickness.
The real trick is buying a spot welder with good current and/or time control and practice on scrap first! This will allow you to make welds that are indistinguishable from the original and strong too.
Randy Rohr
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John McComas
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| Location: | Independence, Missouri USA |
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Posted: Tue Jul 22nd, 2008 05:24 pm |
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Randy Rohr wrote: John,
I used to spot weld cages and grills all the time. I used a 1.5KVA unit, don't remember the brand- Lincoln I think. A welder that will do 1/8" plate will easily do 3/16" wire-on-wire because of the reduced contact area and the fact that these welds usually don't fully penetrate the wire thickness.
The real trick is buying a spot welder with good current and/or time control and practice on scrap first! This will allow you to make welds that are indistinguishable from the original and strong too.
Randy Rohr
Thanks Randy!!
That was EXACTLY the answer I was hoping for!!
Thanks for your response Tripp. I think I'll reserve the MIG welder for the REALLY BIG fans.
(Besides, I don't have a MIG welder) 
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Tim Pettman
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Posted: Tue Jul 22nd, 2008 09:14 pm |
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John, I do not remember the power ratings of the floor machines I have used to do this, but I found equally important to current/time setting is the amount of pressure between the tongs. Too much pressure, and you will flatten the round wire. It will be an ok weld, but will not match the others very well. Not enough, and the weld will fall apart. Also, once attempted in one spot, it becomes increasingly difficult for the weld to hold as you try again, as you are changing the properties of the material in that spot. I have learned the hard way!
Good luck
Tim
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