Spot Welder Tong Question

I'm considering buying a spot welder, and have a question about tong lenght, does it cut down on welding capability/capacity if I make or buy longer tongs? They look like solid copper bar is that correct?
Thanks!

 

The decrease in pressure is probably more of a issue than the loss of current with that style of welder. You could probably go a little longer, but not much.

 

What lengths are available on the open market? Let that be a guide. Yes clamping pressure will affect weld quality as much as squeaky clean parts.

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Thanks! Interesting as tongs are avail in different form and lengths. like this.
http://www.use-enco.com/1/1/46570-040199-miller-a-standard-spot-welder-tongs.html

 

The industrial type spot welders have a water coolant system that runs right into the tips. Yes they normally are solid copper at the very tip but the industrial types have a water passage area in them.. FYI. It is extremely important to have both sheets of metal spotless. No rust, scale, and importantly no oil. That is the biggest problem you will run into when spot welding.
Don't even think of using these on old metal. If you intend of spotwelding old metal. save your money.. drill a 3/8 hole in one sheet, clamp it together and fill the hole with mig weld.

 

Don'y know much about spot welders, haven't used one since high school, long ago.
I did see a home made version on u-tube using a micro wave transformer which can be built for $20 or less. Do a search on it. Might check it out and see if will do what you need.

 

I don't think those would work with the HF spot welder you pictured.

 

Tinbender, No I would buy a used Miller that was just a good picture and about the same size as the Miller hand helds