Switched to a stud welder for pulling dents instead of drilling holes

For years I was the guy drilling holes to pull dents on hoods and quarter panels. Hated the extra body work to fill those holes after. Last month I finally bought a $150 stud welder from a guy on Craigslist in Portland. First job was a 2012 Civic with a fist sized dent on the fender. I slid the slide hammer on, pulled it smooth, and barely needed any filler after. Wish I had done this 5 years ago. Has anyone else made the switch and noticed a big difference in time saved?

2 comments

2 Comments

lewis.diana1mo ago

You were the guy drilling holes for years - I remember watching a buddy do that on a Super Duty and the filler looked like a bad beauty mark when he was done." My neighbor borrowed my stud welder last weekend for a dent on his boat trailer fender and now he's asking where I found mine. It's funny how once you stop fixing the holes you made, you start wondering why you ever put up with them in the first place.

fisher.diana1mo ago

Hang on, I mean yeah, the holes look bad if you don't do it right, but is it really that huge of a deal? I've seen guys fill them with a little glaze and sand it flat and you can't even tell unless you're really looking. And the stud welder thing, sure it's cleaner, but it also means you're pulling metal around and hoping it doesn't pop back. Drilling is just more guaranteed, you know? I'm not saying one is better than the other, just that maybe we're overthinking this whole water drain and beauty mark argument for a fender that's gonna get beat up again anyway.