Need to purchase A GOOD Comression Resistance Spot Welder.
Those puppies are BIG BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

Weld Bonding will is becoming the norm for many of the OEM Manufacturers.

Have looked at Pro Spot and some others.
Want reliability, with good service.

My normal welding product vendor is still hanging on to the Wire feeds. Has NO product line In Compression Resistance Spot Welders.

What are you guys seeing in your area?

Suggestions from Others will be appreciated also.

Thanks,
Karl

Karl,
The shop where am at has a Saitek spot welder.
Not sure on the model number(will check it out tommorrow) but its one of the big models, very nice unit.
Produces a 6mm spot weld nugget

www.saitek.net (http://www.saitek.net)

Saitek is what I hear most shpos have. I do believe Ive read somewhere that this brand is recommended by several OEM's.

You might also drop a line in on www.autobodyonline.com (http://www.autobodyonline.com)
Forum composed of techs and owners

I really do think once you get it you'll wonder how you ever went without one. Couple weeks ago did a Toyota 1/4 install, used the spot welder, smoked right thou it. Today did a Focus 1/4 with a MIG it took me almost THREE times longer to install it.
They make life so much easier...Eric

Theres a few good links in here.
http://www.chevelles.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/3/11538.html?#000006
Theres a guy on the camaro board that has the Titespot unit.

Thanks for the links.

The Saitek is the other one I liked.

Still need to check out Titespot

Will be sticking with the big Voltage, three phase, inverter style welder.

Got a three phase stub section wired in today.
1" Conduit, #4 Wire. NO Voltage drop here.

My trip to NACE refreshed me greatly.
Did 7 classes + Trade Show + SEMA.

Kyle Petty did a morning presentation about his Family, Racing, Life and Business in general. Very nice job! Had reserved seats front and center, Backstage Pass. Got to meet him afterwards, backstage, ask some more questions, autographs, handshakes and photos with him.
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Will be having a Demo on the Prospot tomorrow.
Want to take our time and pick the best one for our Shop. With six Heavy Collision Techs, we want to provide them with the information to make the final decision.

Hope to find local Distributors for all possibilities.

Any more thoughts, anyone?

Sounds like a spot welder will be pretty much a must have with in the near future.
Just finished reading some info on the new "Quiet Steel" the OEM's are releasing, the recommended repair method is spot welding and of course Chrysler has to throw in adhesives.

You didnt happen to learn anything about inductors down at NACE did ya?

Inductors?
If you meant inverter type welder-yes, a little.
Quiet steel-- GM big cars- fire wall-toe panel.
Can't weld, use special rivets and Bonding to replace the unit rail.
Rivet the Unit Rail? Ya, that is what they said, and had a mock up fire wall at the Show with the rail riveted and bonded (glue).
Wow, I thought we made some changes when the "Citation" X body came out.
We ain't seen nothin yet!

Sounds like you are enjoying your new home in KC.

Karl

I use a Prospot at work and find it to be pretty good, though a little hard to switch over attachments. However, the biggest problem is how it needs so much overhead clearance. For instance you can't get the darn frame rails on most cars because the unit will not clear the quarter gutters. For that matter, you have to pull the deck lid on most cars to get those rails. We don't have a real deep attachment so we are very limited. They do make one though that would get back to the back of most trunk floors I think.

It makes a BEAUTIFUL weld, I just find it to be so limited.

We are a Pro-Spot distributor in 4 1/2 states and have extremely good luck selling these units. The PR 2000 is an innverter unit and is endorsed by most all of the OEM's. It will also operate on single or three phase power. This is a cable welder unlike the PR 10 which is a trans gun welder w/ the tips right off the transformer. That is how it as a single phase welder can perform like a 3 phase cable welder. I sat in a 4 hour PRO-SPOT distributor meeting @ NACE and the subject of the new steels came up. I think the unit MARTINSR uses must be a PR 10 because they can be more cumbersome. Also, if you buy a PRO-SPOT you have to get the C to X adaptor w/ it! This attachment is a awesome tool. It enables you to do the pinchweld in pickup box wheelhouses & the floors on GM trucks. It is also great on core supports and other areas. It takes the standard squeeze type gun & turns it into a set of pinchers. There are many criteria that have to be met for a welder to really perform on a consistant basis. I feel the one benefit of the PRO-SPOT is the features designed into it. We could sell any of them & have sold others but, felt this was the best. I have met w/ the Saitek people & just liked ours better. Alot of it depends on service. Hell, we are a CAR-O-LINER distributor also & now they have welders on market. So many choices. Some criteria are duty cycle, squeeze pressure @ tips ( must remain over 400# in all configurations ), ease of use etc..... If you want to email me direct feel free. I cannot sell to you, I am just trying to help. JOHN

Yes John, the one I use is a PR-10. We also have the Car-o-liner "Car-o-Tronic" measuring system. I like that tool a lot.

Karl, I sure am enjoying it here in KC
If you are interested heres alittle slice of my life www.dicksmithford.com (http://www.dicksmithford.com)

What I meant by the inductor is the flameless torch!! The thing uses a magnetic field to heat metal. It just heats up metal and not plastic or glass, since they are not magnetic. Looks like it work slicker then snot to remove those weld bonded panels, mouldings and even heard of glass guys using them for R&I windshield/backlite

I have seen the inductors you describe. They are made in different types & sizes. PRO-SPOT & CAR-O-LINER both have one & there are smaller ones available also. Pretty amazing units really. MARTINSR, if your shop does not have the new C to X adaptor for your PR10 you need to check it out. It was just released & I have already sold two of them to existing customers. Also, I am a CAR-O-LINER certified instructor on CAR-O-TRONIC should you ever have any ? regarding it. It seems funny @ times as after being a tech and being around auto body all my life. ( my father was a tech starting in 60's ) I have not been able to keep up on materials as I only work on my own vehicles anymore. I have four of them that need paintwork though so I have more research to do. One of my cars has Glasurit on it but was painted almost 11 years ago. I will figure it out as I go.

Demo Update--
Have six Technicians that are starry eyed and in LUV.
Now have a tiger by the tail.
They all want their own!
The near future should be interesting.
Thanks for all your replies.

Karl

Their christmas bonus should be THEY ALL get one for having to deal with 66 elco in the way all the time!! ;)

John, you happen to have any info or know what to look for and what to avoid when buying one of these things? They really do sound like the cat's meow, but dont know all that much about the thing. Of course am talking about the inductors...Eric

Eric, How about two (2)
Don't forget about Dereks' old 66 300
deluxe #s match, factory air Elky.
Guess I better count the 80 Z28 too.
Just to make my life simpler, bought five (5) others this summer. Plus more parts than I want to admit.
graemlins/clonk.gif
Too late for therapy?

smile.gif :rolleyes: :confused:

P.S. Heading to Milwaukee tomorrow to pick up a front clip.
Coming up for the Chevelle Club meeting on Saturday?
Karl

I could am heading back north for the weekend.

I forgot about the Derek's old car and the Z. Thought you were selling it, but YOU SELL anything :D

Eric, which inductor are you asking about? There is a small one in like a small tool box or a fullsize one. The price difference is quite substantial. Unlike some of you it seems, I never seem so sell anything. lol JOHN

John,
Actually I have a hard time selling anything.

Motto: Rather have something and not need it, than need it and not have it!

Glad I am not in the Equipment Sales business.

Interested in more information on "inductors" too.

Karl ;)

Karl, what I meant to say was I never seem to sell anything. Which inductor are you looking
@? The price ranges are pretty across the board. I do have some info somewhere on others besides what we sell. Did you end up buying a spot welder? How did the Pro-Spot demo go? What model was it? If you have any more ? feel free to ask. JOHN

Ordered the PR 2000 today. Ordered through local vendor. Also our Car-o-liner Dealer.
Very poor local representation of other products at this time.
Need to learn more about inductors.
Know nothing!
Karl

John, I too know very little about the inductors. Ive seen prices as low as 1200. One I was looking at is advertised in ABRN all the time, but know nothing of the product.

Basically I know HOW it works, not what to look for when buying one. Hell am just a lonely tech who is tired of the insurance companies running the show and an Manager who doesnt know whether to wind his arse or scratch his watch.

Dont want to buy something that is like that a 599 Lenco spotter or need a 17k Pro-spot, something in the middle...Eric

Eric, are you inquiring about a spot welder or an induction heater? I just want to clarify before I go in the wrong directiion.

Karl, I bet you bought from Wakeman equipment. I wonder what price was as we have been running some specials lately. List price is just that.....list. Selling price is a different thing. We sell both Pro-Spot & COL in 4 1/2 states.

What projects do you have? I can't seem to get anything done on mine anymore! graemlins/clonk.gif JOHN

John,

Have Six 66 Chevelles.

#1 66 ElCamino Custom. Original big block motor, factory air car. 10 plus year frame off. Still not done, 20K in car as it sits now.

#2 66 ElCamino 300 Deluxe, 327, pg, #s match factory air car. Needs total frame off, but a really nice car. Has the "floor pan" problem, but is great material.

#3 66 300 Deluxe, two door post, factory air car, tinted glass. Really rough, essentially two doors, with tinted glass, and a title.

#4-5-6 66 Elcamino, 66 2Dr. 300 post, 66 300 4Dr. post. All parts cars.

About 1/3 of the area above our Shop office is filled with shelves full, and piles of 66 parts.

If I am lucky I can get 4 or 5 hours a week to "play" with these things.

Not getting any younger, need to dedicate more time to the "Chevelle affliction"

My Son is very worried that he will inherit all my "treasures", without directions. ;)

Wife rolls her eyes, and doesn't ask too many questions.

Business Partner is a sweethart. Very tolerant. Pretty good bet,when his kids are done with college, he will get a 70 Chevelle.
Also good bet, his will be a "done" car. Turn the key and go!

My affliction for Chevelles provides a great deal of Entertainment for our staff of 26 plus.
Two staff members have oldies. 70 454 ss Velle, and 70 442. They were smart and bought theirs done.

Karl

John sorry for the confusion am wanting some info about Inductors.
Thanks for any help...Eric