Cheap Chinese Spot Welder

[stuxtruth]

Hey guys I'm really wanting to get into making custom lithium ion batteries and was wondering if this thing is a total piece of junk. Has anyone had any experience with these Chinese welders?

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Hand-held-Spot-Welder-Machine-Welding-for-Mobile-phone-Battery-Pack-110V-/230919460933?nav=SEARCH

I would prefer to buy one than make one out of a microwave.

 

[Lurkin]

Consider one of these first : https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=68865#p1038629

People on here have had very good results with this spot welder, and you will be supporting a fellow forum member.

Others have tried the microwave/DIY spot welder with mixed results, most of the Chinese welder feedback has been 'it work ok but' or has been negative.

Really depends - attempt to save a few bucks, but waste a lot of time polishing a turd, or buy a welder that definitely works and is relatively supported on here? This a decision you will need to make. I will be going with the latter...

 

[stuxtruth]

Thanks for the info. If he is in stock, I will definitely consider that. I would rather buy a quality product for a similar price.

 

[Lurkin]

Not to pump it or anything, but the results are good and the design is better than the traditional bench top welder. Given it relies on a car battery rather than mains power, you can be spot welding away in a paddock (hypothetically)...

 

[Syonyk]

If you're willing to accept that you may have to pull the unit apart and replace a triac, I've been reasonably happy with my Sunkko 788+ welder.

It does a fine job on 0.15mm nickel strip, and after replacing the blown triac, it's been quite reliable and consistent.

http://syonyk.blogspot.com/2015/05/overview-of-sunkko-788-welder.html

http://syonyk.blogspot.com/2015/05/sunkko-788-welder-failure-and-repair.html

http://syonyk.blogspot.com/2015/05/notes-on-sunkko-788-battery-spot-welder.html

 

[markz]

How would compare the Sunkko 788+ to the DIY Adruino Timer Transformer Welder?
Could be done for 1/3 the price of the Sunkko. However I have no clue how it would perform.

 

[Grizzl-E]

I have a 788+ welder as well. I have been very happy with it so far. The only thing to note is that with no remote leads you have to assemble the cells as you weld them. That can be very inconvenient with more complex battery shapes. I got around it on mine for now by making longer electrodes out of copper wire and welding under a steel plate sitting on a bench. Not the best solution though.