Quck Question
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Hello,
There is a tool (don’t know what it’s called) that is used in dent removal…small studs are welded to the metal of the auto and then a dent puller is place over them and they are late cut or ground off before bondo and etcetera.
Here is my question, in the event the money does not exist at this point to by this tool (around $500, I think) would it be the same to use a regular dent puller (drilled holes) and then just weld the holes up with a mig welder. Please advise?
Doc
It’s called a stud welder.
And yes, before stud welders were affordable most all dents were pulled that way.
In my opinion It’s more work and it tends to pull very tightly around the hole. stretching the metal and making more end work than necessary.
A common thing people do is mig Washers to the panel and then pull from the washers.
Stud welder/Uni-Spotter.
It is a good tool, however I rarely use it. I prefer a similar machine (panel beater). It is even more expensive. However it is faster, uses 1 reusable tip and generally puts less heat into the panel.
I would avoid drilling holes and pulling since you risk tearing the metal when pulling. Also, the heat of the mig welder when welding the holes closed will likely warp the panel, especially if it is fairly flat and/or thin.
Like RatStang said, if you set the welder low and weld a washer or whatever you want it will work well and be easily removed. The key is to keep the weld as small/cool as possible.
i am still using the miracle system.
we love though it’s very expensive, but puts the tiniest amount of heat into the panel.
I would not like to go back to stud welder
only problem is the cost, and that is a big problem it is very expensive i put of investing in it for years, but i am now very glad i did.
here is a thread i started last year on the miracle system for anybody that has not read it.
http://www.refinishnetwork.com/discussion-forum/auto-body-repair/dent-pulling-system.html#7591
sorry if i am bit off topic as the thread is related to a cheap method of dent pulling :blush:
Theres another tool that ive seen on you tube called the stud lever. The way that it works is you weld the stud to the panel with the stud gun then put the stud lever to pull on the stud instead of using the slidehammer that comes in the kit. Its suppose to make it more easy so you dont pull on the stud to hard. The down side is if you have about 10-15 studs. you have to adjust the every tme to put it on the stud.
I had a car on fire over the weekend with a stud welder!
I’ve used one for years without a single problem, as they don’t heat the panel much at all. But when I looked up and saw the paint blistering at the top of the panel I knew there was trouble! :ohmy:
My right hand is now burnt and cut to ribbons after ripping off the interior trims and tearing out handfuls of burning foam.
A very very stupid mistake, and not one I’ll make again…
that sucks andy. I’ve heard of it happening a few time around here. they put foam in all diff places today in cars.. sometimes its hard to avoid. hope you heal quick
sorry to hear about that Andy. :blush: Hope you get better soon! Is it burnt very bad?
so sorry to hear about what happined but get well soon andy 😉
sorry to hear about your problem :ohmy:
And not to be an ass or anything, but did you not have a fire extinguisher or even some water handy.
Usually when I repair panels like that I try to do all my R&I first, then in the rare event that some insulation catches at least you will have some holes/access to get the fire out.
There a tool that i think is alot better then the stud gun. Its called the dent master. It has 2 cables coming out of the power box. One cable is a ground and has a magnet on it. It must be grounded to the body of the vwhicle but not on a painted surface. The other cable is used for pulling the dent. Just hit switch and put it on the dent and start pulling. Theres no studs to weld its easy.
Do you have a website for the dent master machine, I keep getting websites for a company called Dent Master’s?
the website is http://www.autobodystore.com ask for len. Tell him that you interested in the dent master machine. His prices arent too bad.
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