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After playing with my spot welder that I have had for years (but it was just sitting around 'because I couldn't get it to work) I finally figured it out.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=spot+weld ... cd&pc=U531

This is one of the searches that gives some tech on how to use it and positives and negatives on it's use. The prices (right now) start at about $160 and go up from there.

The unit is fairly heavy and awkward if you have to lift it into the area and move it around during welding, but it can be done. You will probably need some locking style of hand clamps during welding to keep things from moving around and fitting tight together.

In one of the articles on spot welding that I have read there is a warning about potential sparking (I did see some when I was in awkward situations) but the warning is about being no closer than 35 feet from any potential flammable situations such as fuel or other solvents.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=blind+fas ... be6c4d2165

There is also "blind fasteners" which may also be useful. I have used these also but there can be fall backs to their use.

For what it is worth.

Lee

Using a plug or a rosette weld is a useful and practical method in my opinion.
If the work is not worth going along the entire seem and it overlaps.

theKbStockpiler wrote: ↑Wed Mar 29, 2023 10:27 am
Using a plug or a rosette weld is a useful and practical method in my opinion.
If the work is not worth going along the entire seem and it overlaps.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=plug%2Fro ... d0c6e95b14

Plug/Rosette welds have their place also. I have done them a couple of times before, and I have a setup that I am currently building that I need to use them again. Plug welding can be quick but not always as fast as a line of spot welds job/fix might be.

This time, the setup I was welding together was part of a race with squirrels as to overeating the bird food or blocking the squirrels trip up the stand e.g., who would win the battle first. Bloated squirrels and starving birds vs. birds eating. Now that I may have won the squirrel battle (still in debate with the squirrels)... I now have crows and other larger birds to deal with also.

Lee

Bird feeders also attract hawks.

theKbStockpiler wrote: ↑Wed Mar 29, 2023 4:45 pm Bird feeders also attract hawks.

They haven't discovered us yet assuming they are around, but the birds that leave the area over the cold months are just starting to return to the area. Still cool and rainy yet so that could be one of the reasons of the drop. Also other bird feeders are now up in the area from what I have been told.

I think the animals (I forget their name but it might be coyotes or something like that but there were 5 of them) that have been going after the dogs and cats in the last few years may have disappeared.

Haven't seen the squirrels for a few days (since the last mod I did and one trying to get up it and running off) but the bird count also has come down.

Lee

After doing some listening to others around here and looking things up on line, maybe the birds we had using the bird feeder all winter (Chickadees mostly) have flown up north to Canada where it is cooler and more comfortable for them at this time of the year.

As far as the squirrels go... that is a mystery which I many never find out. There are two neighbors I will talk to as they both have cats who come into our yard and have, in the past ....

Lee