Is it possible to spot weld yourself?

Quite often during a variety of repairs, it happens that it becomes necessary to apply spot welding technology. Today there are many aggregates that can be used for this purpose. However, you can assemble a spot welding machine with your own hands. But for this it is necessary to understand this question.

What is spot welding yourself?

This is a kind of contact adhesion, in which the current (electric) passes through a metal that heats up at the point of contact of both parts. At this point the material melts, and most importantly at this moment a welding core is created, the diameter of which can be in the range between four and twelve millimeters. In this case it has the form of lentil.

Spot welding proceeds in several stages:

1. On the first of them, the parts that are subjected to fusion are compared with each other in the required position. Then they are located between the electrodes, after which they are strongly pressed against each other.

2. Parts are heated, which makes them sufficiently plastic, and they are deformed.

In order to be able to spot welding yourself at home, it is necessary to comply with certain conditions:

1. Maintain a constant speed of movement of the two electrodes.

2. Maintain the required pressure value, as well as full contact of the welded parts.

The advantage of this method is that it is environmentally friendly. And the seams, obtained as a result of spot welding, are characterized by high mechanical strength. However, there is a drawback with this method - the seams are not sealed.

Application area

Spot welding by one's own hands is most often used during the repair of household appliances. Although the scope of this method is great - various work with aluminum, cable or fixing small kitchen utensils. Homemade welding can also have a wide variety of configurations.

They can be small portable, and can be represented by devices of impressive size, which are used to perform volumetric work. At home, spot welding by one's own hands is most often performed on desktop units that can be used for color and ferrous metals.

How to make a welding machine yourself?

Before you start creating it, you need to understand that the machine should be powerful enough and easy to operate. A strong device is capable of combining high-quality sheet steel having a thickness of 3 mm.

The main structural part of the welding machine is a basic transformer. It is best to use a serial device for this. For example, OSM-1. In this case, the primary winding of the transformer must remain unchanged, it must contain at least 200 turns. But the secondary should be replaced by a more powerful one. In the first case, it is better to use a wire of SEW 2-1.9, and in the second - PVZ-50.

Adjust the amount of current in the device is not necessary. During welding, it is worthwhile to focus on the duration of heating, as well as to control visually the color. The holders for the electrodes can be made from a duralumin rod. Its diameter should be 30 mm.

The lower electrode must be made stationary. Then isolate it from the fixing bolts and cheeks with washers or adhesive tape. Electrodes should be chosen copper, diameter - equal to 12 mm. In the holders, secure them with two bolts or a brass washer.

Next, you need to take any springs. For example, you can use such from a cot. Hold the holders together with the electrodes with a spring in the initial position. Welding point device should be connected to the network by means of a circuit breaker, which should be rated at 20 A, not less than.

The unit itself can be controlled by a magnetic starter, which must be activated by pressing the pedal. The secondary winding and the transformer housing must be grounded. The parts to be welded must be clamped between the electrodes. The current flowing between them will heat the metal. After that, electricity is turned off. And the force of compression of electrodes increases. The result is a welded joint.