Overview of Auto Collision Welding Tools
There are many different types of tools that are used in the auto body collision industry. Most of the welding tools have special requirements despite the type of welding process that is used. Some of the welding tools come in sets.
MIG Welding Units: Metal inert gas, or MIG, welding sets make use of an automatic system to feed a usable shielding gas and wire electrode through a welding gun. They have constant voltage generators that are portable. The generators take up about as much room as a suitcase. MIG welding units have high voltage lines that are insulated that transport current to the gun tip. Metal inert gas welders use different densities and grades that feed wire that burns at the tip. This fuses with other types of metal.
TIG Welding Units: Tungsten inert gas, or TIG, welding sets have unique high voltage generators that are portable. TIG welding sets also have insulated cables that are high voltage that leads to control tip nozzles. Tungsten inert gas has nozzles that come in sets.
Pry Bars: Pry bars are useful to bend mangled frames and panels and take apart obstructions. Pry bars come in different angles, lengths, and weights.
Welding Rod: Welding rods are about the size of a straw and look a lot like sparklers that are not burned. Welding rods have different blends to conform to the different surfaces of metal. The types of rods include: phosphor copper, carbon steel, silicone bronze, silver alloy, and low fuming bronze.
Oxyacetylene Welding Units: Oxyacetylene welding, or gas welding, tools usually come in complete sets. Oxyacetylene uses two pressurized tanks that carry oxygen and acetylene gas. Gas lines that are double joined takes the gases to the trigger gun assembly from the tank. The trigger gun has a nozzle tip and comes in different sizes. The tanks are located in two wheeled frames that are called caddies. Caddies come in a lot of different sizes and are able to hold a variety of bottles.
Slag Hammers: Slag hammers are used to remove metal slag residue that is left after welding a joint. They come in many different lengths and have different head sizes.
Flux: Flux prepares metal surfaces for welding. Flux contains a chemical additive. Flux cleans the metal surface to allow greater adhesion. Application brushes are usually included in flux kits.
Strikers: Hand held strikers give off the spark that ignites gas welding torches. The flints can be bought individually whenever they are needed.
Drill Bits: Different drill bits are used to drill holes into car doors and panels. They are used whenever it is needed to pull out metal for reshaping.