Found a new trick for the AWithZ spot welder, haha: spot-welding light bulbs

New spot-welder trick: spot-weld nickel strip straight onto the bulb instead of a lamp-socket connector (saves the cost of connectors); one shot and it’s on, very solid, but where it wasn’t pressed down tight the thin shell got burned through; the setting is on the strong side, next he wants to try a stainless-steel frame; tape for insulation and it becomes a hanging lamp — comments mostly warn safety first, use a socket

A sudden idea: lots of lamps to wire up, and buying a connector every time adds up, so can the spot welder weld nickel strip straight onto the lamp (the bulb’s metal base), bent into an arc as a wire terminal? Try it: one shot and it’s on, very solid — he yanked the cap on the bottom clean off and the weld didn’t let go; on the side it sticks with one shot; a bit hard to hold down, need something to brace it; one spot wasn’t pressed tight and simply got burned through — which shows it can weld thicker than this, not just this thin; the current setting is on the strong side, for thin stuff turn it down, and at a really strong setting it could probably weld a stainless-steel frame, next episode; the spot welder is great fun and can be turned to all sorts of uses; a bit of tape for insulation and you can make a lamp that hangs from the ceiling, extremely sturdy. Comments: it works but for safety a lamp holder is more reliable, safety first, convenience second (4); asking for trouble, relying on insulation tape?; you’re not an electrician, is this just an ad; which model; if both tips touch your hand at once do you get a shock; I have the top-spec one too.

Outcome

Steps4 steps · click a frame to jump

1. 
   1. Idea: spot-weld nickel strip straight onto the bulb to save connectors

   Lots of lamps to wire up and connectors cost money every time; try spot-welding nickel strip onto the lamp and shaping an arc to take the wire.

   00:00 – 00:28
2. 
   2. One shot and it’s on, very solid; hard to hold, needs bracing

   One shot and it’s on, very solid, cap yanked and it doesn’t let go; the side sticks with one shot; a bit hard to hold down, need something to brace it.

   00:32 – 00:52
3. 
   3. Burned through where not pressed tight; gear on the strong side; wants to weld a stainless frame

   One spot wasn’t pressed tight and got burned through, which shows it can weld thicker; the current setting is pretty strong, turn it down for thin stuff; at a really strong setting it could probably weld a stainless-steel frame, next episode.

   01:00 – 01:27
4. 
   4. Tape for insulation, hanging lamp, sturdy

   The spot welder is fun and can be turned to many uses; tape for insulation, make a lamp that hangs from the ceiling, very sturdy.

   01:27 – 01:41

Bill of materials

Creator’s tips

• Press thin shells down tight — not pressed tight and it burns through; turn the gear down for thin parts 01:00

Pitfalls

• One spot on the thin bulb shell got burned through 01:00
• Comment: relying on insulation tape instead of a lamp socket is not safe

Li-ion safety

• Comments agree: wiring a mains bulb by direct welding with tape for insulation is risky; the socket is there for safety

Quotes