Here's the deal. I need to pull out some dents in my frame before it gets coated. I've been welding on a bolt to the dents and then pulling the dents out with a slide hammer. It has been working pretty good...but it is way to time consuming. Plus, because of the fact that the bolts which need to be used are 1/4'' (I cut the head off the bolts and weld the side that the head used to be on to the dent...the slide hammer screws onto the threads of the welded bolt), it doesn't allow you to weld on like 15 studs to the dent then pull it out. Not being able to pull out the dent with numerous studs creates a bumpy surface which needs to be blended with a flap disc until it is smooth.

I was thinking that a real stud welding gun would work on my frame...what do you guys think? I don't want to shell out $200 and then find out that it will not work. I have seen them used on auto body panels...but never a frame. I was even thinking of using a stud gun to weld on a stud, then heat up the surrounding area of the stud with a propane torch to give it a little help to pull the dent out. The only way I see why it wouldn't work is if the spot welder doesn't weld the studs on strong enough to pull out dents in thicker metal. Please help, post your comments.

 

bump

 

Why can't you weld the head of long bolts to the dent, place a length of angle iron on either side, and with a washer and nut do the same thing? Even out the waves with JB Weld, sand smooth and paint.

 

a stud welder isn't strong enough to pull a frame.

 

Im going to continue to use my technique with the slide hammer and welding bolts to the dents. Thanks for the replies, looks like it is going to take a little longer than expected.

red69, I don't understand what you are trying to tell me could you post another reply clarifying what you mean?

 

As stated, the wire is probably too light to accomplish your objective. Instead of welding a string of wire pulls along the dent, continue with welding the head of a long, say 3-4 inch hex bolts along the dent. Keep them on a straight line, so you can place a length of angle iron on either side of the string of welded bolts. You place the angle so it is up and against the bolt string on either side, and use it to tighten a nut against. You may need to weld the two angle pieces together with an appropriate spacer, but it will work for your goal. After you pull the dent the best you can, apply a skim coat of JB Weld to even it out, sand smooth, paint and you won't be able to see where there was a dent. The angle provides an anchor to pull against with more control. Tighten the bolts together and you can avoid the dimpling you get by just doing one at a time.