[7.62x39]

Here is the way I modified my lower tong to fit inside the receiver.

I bought a 5/8" x 1' copper rod from Mcmaster-Carr (#8966K221)

Tip thread size is 8x1.25mm

The top cut is .230 deep and .735 long.
The bottom cut is .150 deep X 5.500 long.
Then cut it to length to match the upper tong.

This allows full access to the inside of the receiver, even with both rails in place.

 

[7.62x39]

Align the tips and clamp in place.

About 3 seconds works well for welding the rails

Here's some pics of a junk receiver I use for practice.
I was not concerned with alignment, just the weld

 

[Polish Taipan]

Thanks 7.62, that's exactly the kind of pics and info I need to get going when I am finally ready. God that reminds me I need to order that HF drill press while its still on sale.

How do you hold the rails in alignment while you weld?
So you really think the Tapco rails are junk?

 

[mbadboyz]

Great posts! Awesome pics. Im going tomorrow afternoon th HF to pick mine up. They are holding my 115v spot welder.

 

[Grendeljaeger]

Nice work(as usual)Max !! We are very lucky that you have an interest in taking pictures as well as building firearms as not everyone gets their ideas across in such clear manner.

 

[mbadboyz]

I picked up my spot welder today. Does it make a difference how far back the tongs are into the spot welder before you tighten them down? Im trying to avoid cutting the upper tong to size. I dont own a mill so I will have to dremel the lower tong. Wish me luck.

 

[7.62x39]

... Im trying to avoid cutting the upper tong to size...

That's why I bought the copper rod from M-C to make the lower tong.
If you do that, you can leave the upper full length

 

[mbadboyz]

That's why I bought the copper rod from M-C to make the lower tong.
If you do that, you can leave the upper full length

Does it make a difference how far back the tongs are into the spot welder before you tighten them down?

 

[7.62x39]

The clamp that holds the tongs in, is about 2" long and secured by 4 bolts.

You could probably move the tong some, but I would think it would need to be at least halfway in, in order to secure it. Meaning you may be able to get 3/4 to 1" of adjustment out of it.

 

[Toten Kopf]

LOL...

I just posted the modification update to my 115VAC spot welder. But I posted it in the "Machine Shop" forum. Is it in the wrong forum?

I like the way you did your tong. Only thing is I don't have the capabilities to do the machining. Mine mod is the cheaper version...LOL

 

[sniper69]

the mods look great. Now to bad there isn't a place to rent a spot welder from. I don't think harbor freight would let me buy one, modify, then return it after I'm done .

 

[mbadboyz]

On a 115 volt spot welder, how long do you think I should hold the trigger for? 3-4 Seconds?

 

[AKaTom]

I know this is an old post but I want to thank 7.62X39 for those pictures! Just finished the mods a few minutes ago to my spot welder, and now it looks just like those pics. Although i don't have a milling machine so i used a angle grinder, worked fine. I made one test weld it came out better than perfect LOL so i stopped there for the night.

Tommorow i'll bend a flat and try that spot welder out properly. :thankyou:

 

[fal_shooter]

I have a chance to pick up a used spot welder that does not have any tongs on it. Since I want to modify them anyway what would be the best/cheapest place/way to get a set of tongs setup this way. Can I just buy copper rod and bend it or would it be cheaper to have someone on the board make me a set? I don't have the spot welder yet so I'm just getting information at this point. If I have to buy new tongs what can I expect to pay for them?

:thankyou:

 

[sniper69]

I have a chance to pick up a used spot welder that does not have any tongs on it. Since I want to modify them anyway what would be the best/cheapest place/way to get a set of tongs setup this way. Can I just buy copper rod and bend it or would it be cheaper to have someone on the board make me a set? I don't have the spot welder yet so I'm just getting information at this point. If I have to buy new tongs what can I expect to pay for them?

:thankyou:

$34.99 for a set of replacement tongs at harbor freight. Both the regular and wide throat are the same price.

 

[7.62x39]

A 5/8"X12" copper bar runs $10 at Mcmaster-Carr.
The tips are designed to be replaceable and should be available from a local welding supply house.

 

[twostupiddogs]

Just ordered a 115v spot welder from HF today.
Also ordered a replacement lower tong for $12.96 (#27197-0ZZA) and a pair of replacement tips for $1.29 each (#27198-0ZZA).

Thanks for the post and pictures.

 

[fal_shooter]

Well, it looks like I am going to need to get serious about the tong mod since I just picked up a 220 Chicago Electric spot welder on ebay for $64.00.

 

[2ndAmendment]

Just posted on the classfied page modified lower Tongs for for sale as per 762x39's specification.

http://www.gunco.net/forums/showthread.php?p=55739#post55739

 

[fal_shooter]

If anyone had one regular tong they would like to sell send me a PM. I bought a spot welder on EBay and it did not have any tongs. I bought one of the modified tongs listed here but I am still one short. I don't want to buy a full replacement set if I can get by cheaper since I only need one tong. If you replace yours with one of these and you now have one spare let me know.

Thanks