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220V Spot Welder Review (Pro Point/Harbor Freight).
This video covers my first impressions and use of the Pro Point 220 V Spot Welder from Princess Auto. It's the same unit sold by Harbor Freight in the USA.
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I've had my eye on that same machine for a while. For the amount of projects I will use it on I think it would be work just fine. Thanks for the destructive tests. That sold me.
@ThrottleStopGarage
5 жыл бұрын
The time it saved on building the false floor frame was basically worth the entire tool. There was around 30 weld nuts. All the holes and grinding and time wasted was just not going to work. Finishing the welds was a quick swipe with a flap disk - just seconds. For straight forward sheet metal fab - it's also working fine. Can't reach around some things, but I can live with that problem.
Thank you for the demo/testing. side benefit of your video for me--i had not hear of weld nuts before. i mostly do wood working, but when i do work with steel(s) i suspect KNOWING about weld nuts will be a great help!
It's on sale now from 300$ to 180, I've got mine today May 2nd 2019 for much cheaper cause the box was damaged so I complained and asked for a little discount if possible plus I've returned some princess auto stuff that I never took out of the box end up paying 107 Canadian dollars , so if you want some money back bring back the receipt, or buy a new one on sale and return it with the older receipt. You made a good video about it but I was looking for a timer for the spot welder so far I probably have to build one, keep up the good work thank you Nick
Get a spare set of tips and file them to about 3/16 diameter where it contacts the sheetmetal. Will take a bit longer the weld but will give much larger spots for structural joints.
@ThrottleStopGarage
5 жыл бұрын
Good tip -thanks Phil.
Theres a guy on eBay I buy my tips from. He also makes tongs. I get untapered tips. I drill a hole out of the top one and put an insulator in. The hole is just a tiny bit bigger than a stud diameter for #6, #8 and #10. This works very well as a stud welder. Just make sure the stud doesn’t touch any of the metal in the tip other than the bottom where the head sits. A stud welder is very expensive. This works very well, if you make the hole the right size, and deeper than the stud, or drill all the way through. Use an insulator that’s thin, and can stand some heat. Just be careful, as the HF models haven’t used the standard screw for the tips. So if buying extra tips, make sure they will fit the current HF model. Mine uses industry standard tips. You can always buy tongs with Miller standard tips, which are the industry standard. Don’t try to make your own, unless you get the right alloy copper, and have a lathe to drill and thread the end for the tips. You’re dealing with anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 amps here at a low voltage (about 1.5 to 3). These welds are very strong, if so e properly, and with a 220-240 v machine you can do over 1/4” thick material. You don’t have to press too hard, just snugly, to make sure the parts are actually touching. You would be surprised how powerful a 120 unit is. I have both. A 220 model isn’t better for anything the 120 model can do, which is over 1/8”. Actually, I can get 3/16” from mine. And over 1/4” from the 220.
@ThrottleStopGarage
4 жыл бұрын
Awesome - thanks so much for the tips. Off to ebay to find this seller!
Very necessary video: Great job.
@ThrottleStopGarage
2 жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
Twist lock plugs and receptacles for work in metal shops.
Another great video. Keep it up. To make good quality spot welds you have to make the welding electrodes to be coaxial when the welding materials are between the electrodes & the proper clamping force is applied. Sparking is not normal and could be dangerous ( proper protective gear is a must ). The factory supplied upper tong end has to be bended more to get coaxial with the bottom end. It is obvious that for every thickness of welded materials you will have to use different diameter / length welding tips & set up their alignment individually. A timer is also a must for good quality spot welds. There are timers with welding time compensation. These are monitoring the welding current and adjusting the welding time accordingly.
@ThrottleStopGarage
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the tips - good to know.
Thanks! I was debating on 110v and 220v, you answered my questions. Much appreciated.
@ThrottleStopGarage
2 жыл бұрын
Glad I could help
with spot welding if your part and the caps are not perpendicular then you get the massive weld splatter to the side
In shop class we would have to tear apart the two pieces of sheet metal and would only get a passing score if the two pieces were torn apart and a small disk of one of the sheets was torn off and remained on the other sheet.
I've used mine, harbor freight 220v unit for about a month and the toggle switch is already sticking in the on position... It's a two way switch for right or lefty people and the switch just needs to be flipped the other way but I'm sure over time the switch will FAIL at some point!! Other than that it's a good little spot welder and does the Job!!!
if you cannot pry it apart, then it is an excellent spot welder.
Just bought one of these on EBAY from Ozmestore in Australia for A$330.........as I think a spot welder fills a gap that all other welders fall down on and that is the instant fix that defies even a giant with bulging biceps to pull apart.........for small amateur sheet metal fixing and box making it's the bee's knees.......how did I exist for so long without one. I want to try spotting aluminium......don't know if it can be done but as soon as the rig arrives I'll give it a try.
@ThrottleStopGarage
4 жыл бұрын
Very true - I've now got a year on the machine and have used it a lot.
Subbed to you mate. Great videos you've got here. Got on here through the dimple plates video.
@lewerim
3 жыл бұрын
Same.
bought a 220 version , tried it and instandly blew a 16 amp fuse .... well could be it just draws more amps ..... so i tried a 20 amp fuse ...... that didnt worked either , didnt even closed the jaws just flicked the switch measured across the poles on the plug and it basicly shorts as soon as you flick the switch lets just say im not verry happy with the purchase at the moment
@ThrottleStopGarage
Жыл бұрын
Yikes...time to take it back. That's not how it is supposed to work 😕.
Thank you for the demonstration video! Are there interchangeable extension arms available...? Or has someone fabricated a set that may have worked? I realize the longer arm may require slightly longer weld time but I would like to see arms around 12" long so the unit can reach further... Thank you again! Jim
@ThrottleStopGarage
3 жыл бұрын
Hi Jim - I'm pretty sure that standard tongs from other welders do fit these welders. It wouldn't take much to modify them if they were not an exact fit.
@vintagerestorations1139
3 жыл бұрын
@@ThrottleStopGarage Thank you Sir!
Another great video. Keep it up
Thanks mate, nice review and good job
@ThrottleStopGarage
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
the biggest thing to remember is preparation of where you are spot welding. It HAS TO BE CLEAN .... the only drawback is you cant use a weld through primer.
@ThrottleStopGarage
3 жыл бұрын
True.
Nice, I have been looking at one at harbor freight
@ThrottleStopGarage
3 жыл бұрын
Have fun.
Maybe I missed it, but do you have to manually time the "ON Time" by holding your finger "on the button", or is there a control knob where you set it, and just trigger it with a quick hit on a momentary switch? I would think for consistency that a little timer circuit to do this would be a nice feature...and if not already built in, could be easily added. Thanks as always for informative videos! Cheers
@ThrottleStopGarage
3 жыл бұрын
Yes Ron - it's completely manual. Others have added timers. You get used to the time needed before you blow the metal out! Cheers!
Sparking is ok. Look at videos from car factories. You shouldnt use clamps. They ruin the resistance
@ThrottleStopGarage
3 жыл бұрын
Ok - I try to avoid using the tongs as clamps if that's what you mean.
Is there a timer or it is by guess? how little/much pressure is required on the tongs? Are the contact points sharp (needle nose) or is there a flat? Assuming it is a flat area have you any comments about making it larger or smaller?
@ThrottleStopGarage
5 жыл бұрын
No timer...it would be a nice addition - so guess/feel is the method. The panels need to fit first without using the tongs for pressure. The contacts are about 3 mm (1/8"). For sheet metal, they could be a little larger for up to about 18 ga. The 220V machine has plenty of power to weld a larger spot.
@ThrottleStopGarage
5 жыл бұрын
No timer - just a little pressure on the tongs. The contacts have about a 3 mm flat on the tips. I've not had enough time to alter the tips. My guess is that with the 220 V, I could make them a little larger and get away with it on thinner material. So far, so good for my use.
Harbor freight doesn't sell pro point. Pro point website only say's it spot welds 20 gauge
@ThrottleStopGarage
2 жыл бұрын
Harbor Freight does sell a 220V welder...it's the same as this and it will weld much thicker material than 20 ga as demonstrated in the video.
Great video, easy to listen to, camera work fine. Curious as to how long the contact arms extend?
@ThrottleStopGarage
2 жыл бұрын
They're about 10" long. Could make or buy them in any number of lengths.
Could you change it to run off a foot peddle? Did you see a simple way to mod it?
@ThrottleStopGarage
9 ай бұрын
Sure. Just replace the switch with a foot switch, and you'd be fine.
i m considering this welder for repairing door sills have you tried it on 2 pieces of 16 gauge? on some place on the car the sheet is a triple sandwich flange, would this machine weld it ...thanks
@ThrottleStopGarage
4 жыл бұрын
Two pieces of 16 ga - no problem. Not sure about the triple. The weld nuts are 1/8" thick and I was welding them to 18 ga - so theoretically, it would work.
Would this be good enough to use on a radiator support for a car? I would only use it for the top section which are 4 spot welds. The rest will be Mig welds.
@ThrottleStopGarage
Жыл бұрын
If you've set it up properly, it is no different from a factory spot weld. So, yes - it will work just fine. A lot less work than endless plug welds in most instances.
@samgullick7957
Жыл бұрын
@@ThrottleStopGarage thank you.
5:40 that's what she said!! 😂😂
Is that your spot welding machine is same configuration as TOOLUXE 115 ? Which hand held Machine will you suggest for 3mm+3mm G.I.wire spot welding
@ThrottleStopGarage
5 жыл бұрын
Hi Wasim - the machine you're referencing is the 115 V model. So not the same as the 220 V. It's doesn't have the same power. Even the 220 V will not spot weld 3 mm to 3 mm.
@misawiraqui3204
5 жыл бұрын
@@ThrottleStopGarage Hi thanks For your Quick Reply.. but as I could find you have welded a 10swg material to 18swg. That's 10swg = 3.251mm. And the Actually I want to spot weld 2pcs of G I.wire that's 13+13swg. I need to change the weld Tip to Flat Tip
mmh, tempting. Is this suitable for wire welding wires such as 2*2mm on 90 deg? I guess by adapting the heads (one flat head against one head with 90deg wire negative formed). Anyone with experience with this ?
@ThrottleStopGarage
2 жыл бұрын
I really don't know about welding wire with it - no reason it won't work.
How heavy is the unit? Im hoping to use this in a handheld fashion.I have zero welding experience and am wanting replace rocker panels and bed panels for my truck.
@ThrottleStopGarage
3 жыл бұрын
It's about 13 kg (around 28 lbs.).
Where do you get new tips?
@ThrottleStopGarage
9 ай бұрын
Amazon or local welding store.
Hello, On Harbor freight website it say the 240v model can handle up to 3/16" thick metal. I was thinking of buying one of these to use instead of mig welding to save time, but there are few areas on the car where there is 3 layers of sheet metal. Do you know if it can do 3 layers of sheet metal that would equal about 3/16" thick all together?
@ThrottleStopGarage
3 жыл бұрын
I've done it and it wasn't a problem. Tons of power to weld that thickness. Just test it before to make sure of the time to hold the power on.
@OneEyeJay
3 жыл бұрын
@@ThrottleStopGarageOk cool, Thank you!😀
@samgullick7957
Жыл бұрын
Hey. I'm thinking of getting this to weld my radiator support on my car but only the top section. Hoe did your welding go? Just curious.
Can you use it in other position or just flat? Need to do rocker panels.
@ThrottleStopGarage
2 жыл бұрын
Sure - as long as you can pinch the seam it can be welded. Other shapes of tongs are available to reach around panels etc as needed.
Will this weld 13 gauge sheetmetal when I do my Subframe?
@ThrottleStopGarage
3 жыл бұрын
Test it first - but it should work.
Mine is not welding. Just blowing the fuse instantly. Any advice?
@ThrottleStopGarage
5 жыл бұрын
What is the amp rating of your circuit breaker?
Newbie question, how do you get more cord length?
@ThrottleStopGarage
5 жыл бұрын
I have a 220 V extension cable.
@rondill8429
5 жыл бұрын
Stroke it a few times and it will get longer.....
Also would like to see a side by side comparison with the 110v.
@ThrottleStopGarage
5 жыл бұрын
If someone bought me one, I'd do it. I'm still happy with the 220 V.
where can you buy one of this spot weld and how much it cost ?
@ThrottleStopGarage
3 жыл бұрын
Harbor Freight or Princess Auto (Canada).
Is there attachments I can get for that, I’m looking to use it to attach square weld nuts which are different than the nuts you did that have 2 spot welds on each side.
@ThrottleStopGarage
3 жыл бұрын
You'll have to look around and see if you can find some.
Are you in Ontario? I go to the Princess Auto in Whitby.
@ThrottleStopGarage
3 жыл бұрын
Nope - Alberta.
Satin almak istiyorum nerede bulabilirim
@ThrottleStopGarage
2 жыл бұрын
I have no idea where someone in Turkey would find a spot welder!
Price bd/making cost .please
@ThrottleStopGarage
2 жыл бұрын
$200...why make one for this price?
Can we used this for car body repair ??
@ThrottleStopGarage
4 жыл бұрын
Yes - works great for that.
@ImranRafique
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for reply .. last question does it have some sort of timmer to spot or its by your own
@ThrottleStopGarage
4 жыл бұрын
@@ImranRafique No timer - so you have to work out that part.
after seeing your review, I bought one. it did not work at all like what you had.
@ThrottleStopGarage
3 жыл бұрын
Sorry to hear that - hopefully you can take it back.
You must drive across the border to buy stuff because sounds like you're Canadian it seems like stuff is so much more up there I've been there many times it's like the Canadian content law make stuff way more expensive and they can't sell tools like this there that cheap. But if it was made in Canada they can sell it so the Canadiens markup the hell out of everything that they make so everything cost you guys too much money
@ThrottleStopGarage
4 жыл бұрын
Correct - all counts. It's a shared experience with Europe/Australia...but we share a border. The mind does boggle at these things. Let's not even talk about our dollar being worth 30% less!
@Mikefngarage
4 жыл бұрын
@@ThrottleStopGarage yea buddy I feel your pain but when the boarder is close you have some great options. My wife is from Toronto and I cant tell you how many times we went to Buffalo to buy Tools, Freon, and other stuff that is literally 2 or 3 times as much money even with the exchange. Figured out just from going to walmart that there is requirements for them to even sell Canadian first. The Canadian Manufacturers know this and Rape their own people on markup. It just makes these businesses have no interest in competing globally. That is why the CAD is down. no gdp. except oil... The Fn government needs to get their heads out of their asses and Realize they are hurting their people
@Dixler683
2 жыл бұрын
@@ThrottleStopGarage too bad you keep voting in progressive socialists intent on destroying your culture.
lol 50 amp 220 plug ... ok
@ThrottleStopGarage
3 жыл бұрын
That's what fits my plug.
50 dollars is a lot more than "almost nothing"