Laser welder

[abunaitoo]

Anyone have any experience with them??????
From what I gather, there are two types.
One uses a real laser to pinpoint weld
The other looks like a are spot welder, that uses a pinpoint rod.
The real laser looks like it can fill gaps/holes.
Haven't seen any of the arc type doing that.
Since the weld is so pinpoint, and not to much area heat, it would be great in making repairs to tiny parts.
Prices are really different for the two.
The laser is in the thousands of dollars.
The arc can be had for as little as $140.
A guy I met makes dentures. He said he uses a laser all the time.
It's very precise with very little surrounding heat.
He thinks the machine was around $14,000
Thoughts suggestions????

[Greg S]

Just read something about one a few days ago. Guy is a retired jeweler and has been welding frame rails on 1911 for rebuilds. I think it was in gunsmithing, 1911 fanatics. G.

[elk hunter]

From my perspective laser welding works. I sent a double rifle with a broken top tang to Brad Bachelder in Michigan a couple of years ago and he had the break laser welded and then re-engraved the tang. I think I'm the only person that could tell that the tang was repaired. I've TIG welded a lot of small parts over the years and it works great but I can sure see where Laser welding has it's place. If I were twenty years younger I would consider buying one and learning to use it.

[abunaitoo]

Looking at it a little more.
Both do really tiny welds.
True laser welder, is a laser. Go figure[smilie=f:
It uses a laser to spot, and can be used to stitch weld with a filler rod.
It looks very precise.
They other one looks nothing more than a more precise ARC welder.
Probably call it a Laser welder for marketing only.:-x
No gas, but a sharp pointed electrode that makes the arc.
Seen two different models.
On one, you hold the point on the surface, hit the switch, the electrode pulls back away from the contact as it welds.
The other, you hold it close, but not touching, hit the switch to make the arc.
First one, of the two, sounds more precise.
Wish I could play with one to see how good it is.