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Posted by: jonwatts Apr 29 2004, 03:41 PM

I'm removing stuff from the car (engine shelf, seat hinges, various brackets).

What size spot weld drill bits should I get?

Anyone know if they sell them at Home Depot or OSH? Otherwise I'll have to make a special trip to Harbor Freight (far away) or a welding supply store (over-priced).

thx peeps!

Posted by: Britain Smith Apr 29 2004, 04:16 PM

I bought one from Scott Yeaman...talk with him (650)328-8169. I can pick some up for you if you want.

-Britain

Posted by: TimT Apr 29 2004, 04:40 PM

Take a trip to your Local Auto Body Store, they usuall have the spot weld cutters...

If not a good cobalt or Ti drill bit about 3/16 will do the trick.... watch where your drilling.... just through one ply, sometime a cold chisel is needed to persuade the seam apart..

Local Auto Body Store

Favorite Local Auto Body Store

FLABS

LOL

Posted by: 928er Apr 29 2004, 05:07 PM

By far the best spot weld drill I've ever used is a set of Black & Decker Bullet drills.

These cut a flat square hole like the spot weld cutters, but there is a pilot drill built into the tip which eliminates walking when the main cutting surface touches down; much more precise that the spot weld cutters. The pilot tip is small enough that a quick trigger with the MIG fills it right back in, or, you can just push the pilot tip through the second layer of steel to locate and make nice clean factory-position welds from the backside.

I got a small index of 14 bits (1/16-1/2), got 'em at H-D several years back.

Posted by: seanery Apr 29 2004, 05:13 PM

Eastwood lists them in their catalog.

Posted by: 928er Apr 29 2004, 05:19 PM

Here's what the tips of the bullet bits look like, this is tha 1/2" captured larger than life on the flatbed.


Attached image(s)

Posted by: jonwatts Apr 29 2004, 05:35 PM

Yeah but I'm spoiled by being able to get just about anything locally. I don't want to go mail order and wait for shipping on consumables unless I have to.

The Black & Decker bits look interesting though I'm not sure who still carries them (they seem like they might be discontinued which is a sure sign that they probably worked as advertised). I may look for them tonight.

Thanks for the tips, keep 'em coming if you have more!

Posted by: vsg914 Apr 29 2004, 05:40 PM

As a few others have already said, local auto body supply store. One that serves the local professionals. You should find what you need.

Posted by: seanery Apr 29 2004, 05:48 PM

jonboy, if they are discontinued, then HarborFreight may be the place to find them.

Posted by: RAR Apr 29 2004, 07:12 PM

Northern tools has the solid type, singles or set of four. Those bullet drills, if still available, look pretty good too.

Posted by: Bleyseng Apr 29 2004, 07:30 PM

Eastwood sells em in 3/8th or 1/2" diameter. This is the kind with the center point and the replaceable cutters. Easy to use and add new panels using these.

Geoff

Posted by: 928er Apr 29 2004, 07:34 PM

On those B&D bullet bits, they still sell them but under the DeWalt name now "DeWalt Pilot Point"

Guess who just got back from Lowes?


They had sets and individuals.

Posted by: TimT Apr 29 2004, 07:40 PM

Those are (The eastwood) the rota-broach type bits.... they drill out a spot weld really well..

But when you weld your new panel in you have a 1/2 or 3/8th hole to weld

doesnt look much like a factory spot weld..

the rota-broach bits work great.. but you wont be able to mimic "original" spot welds... dont know if the matters much at all to you though.

Posted by: Racer Chris Apr 29 2004, 07:49 PM

Totally!

Thanks for the tip on the Dewalt name thing.
I was worried they really were NLA.

Posted by: Qarl Apr 29 2004, 07:50 PM

I just used a wide angle drill bit (108 degrees I think) and a hammer. Worked like charm!

Posted by: Bleyseng Apr 29 2004, 08:40 PM

I use the point rotobroach bits to REMOVE panels drilling only the first layer of metal. Leave the second layer of metal panel to weld the new panel to.
Then grind off any remaining metal left behind. The NEW panel gets small 1/4" holes drilled in it and then I puddle weld it in. Looks pretty close and holds like there is no tomorrow.

Geoff

Posted by: dmenche914 Apr 29 2004, 11:54 PM

i got a neat spot weld drill, It was more like a mini hole saw, about 1/4 inch dia. It worked great, i believe i got it a Tool Land ( I think thats in San Carlos, just North of you, give them a call first, as it was many years ago. The hole saw style is really neat, and has two sided replacable bits on the shank. You can buy the bit seperatly, it was fairly inexpensise, but cut many many welds, good quality.