Joining Thin Sheet Metal

[CaptainBofo]

Hello!

Could someone please tell me what type of welding is used to create the joints on hooks such as in the pictures below?

Also do you think its appropriate to join metals using glue in an application such as this?

The internets seem to provide me with lots of information about welding/brazing but not a lot of info on suitbility/application.

Your help is muchly appreciated!

 

[Hitch]

Glue, not really, i wouldn't trust it.

They are probably resistance welded.

 

[CaptainBofo]

For me to be able to join metal like this myself, would it require me to buy a spot welder such as the below link, or is there a cheaper way to do it?

http://www.weldequip.com/clarke-csw6t-spot-welder.htm

 

[Wozzaaah]

A spot welder like that won't be any good, those hooks are way over 1mm thick!
They're for joining thin sheets together, such as car panels.

 

[Hitch]

If you want to make some on a small scale, a mig or tig would be a better option.

 

[CaptainBofo]

So on the first picture, the weld in the middle, will this have been spot welded, or is round bar not suitable for spot welding? (Assuming we're using a 3mm/3mm spot welder.)

I'm looking at making things like this on a batch size kinda scale. Any advice with regards to the most efficient/economical methods to join stainless steel sheet and mild steel sheet together for low load bearing applications such as door hooks would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks for the info so far

Edit: Also how the hoodle do they join metal like this?

 

[s410man]

is it for a specific item or just general purpose

glue may be appropriate but only for light loads

if you want to make a few you could drill through one and the weld through the hole to join the pair together then grind flush but for batch production this isnt economical

spot welder may work depending on thickness

 

[Paul.]

The equipment required to make that joint is quite specialised, and not the kind of thing you will plug ito a 13amp socket, these items are mass produced using serious kit,
It may not even be welded, it could be induction brazed, for small workshop or home production a tig set is the best approach

 

[hotrodder]

^ This. A spot welder is just one type of resistance welder. As said not as fast as the right kit but there's various ways to get similar results with MIG (cheaper, easier to use, welds will often need dressing) or TIG (far more versatile, often zero clean up/dressing needed). For example I could have made it to the pub earlier if i had a stud welder but as i don't i used tig for this job...

A bunch of m5 studs stuck on the back of some D section stainless bar


And the simple little jig made from a couple bits of ally angle to make the job easier/faster

 

[Chipper]

The bar into sheet, this was drilled through and welded from behind. Could be done neater but tidy wasn't the aim with this one

Another way of doing studs, tap into block, thread in stud or bolt & chop it down, weld through hole in strap. Pretty similar to above.