Spot welding

What thickness can you weld with spot welding?

Quick answer

Spot welding is a sheet process: most units are happy to about 2–3 mm total combined stack thickness.

· · Technical guidance compiled from trade practice and manufacturer data; our source-verification program is in progress — see our editorial policy.

Numbers by machine/output class

Machine classPractical thickness
120 Aup to ~3 mm (1.5–2 mm sweet spot)
160–180 Aup to ~5–6 mm single pass
200–250 A8–10 mm, multi-pass beyond

Beyond single-pass

Thickness limits assume full-penetation single-pass welds. Bevelling the joint, multi-pass stacking and preheat on thick sections extend any process dramatically — that's how structural welders join 50 mm plate with the same physics. Match the machine class to the thickness you actually weld 90% of the time.