SUNKKO Pulse Spot Welder 788H
$159.99 price checked August 2026
If you need to weld nickel strips up to 0.2 mm and require a foot pedal for control, this is the one.
The SUNKKO 788H in Short
The SUNKKO Pulse Spot Welder 788H is for hobbyists and technicians who need to weld up to 0.2 mm nickel plated steel strips, clearing the standard thickness threshold for this category.
High-resistance “cold” welds often cause nickel strips to peel off under load, compromising the structural integrity of a battery pack. This failure mode occurs when a welder cannot provide enough concentrated energy to properly fuse the metal to the cell.
The SUNKKO Pulse Spot Welder 788H provides a solution by supporting welding for 0.05 – 0.2 mm nickel plated steel strips. This capability ensures the device clears the 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm thickness threshold required to penetrate the material without melting the strip.
We evaluated the other spot welder options we compared to determine which models best met specific material requirements. This review is for users who need a reliable tool for 18650 or 14500 battery assembly.
How MyHobbyLobby picked: we started from the 92 most-reviewed spot welder listings in our retail dataset, removed duplicates, accessories and off-category products, and 57 qualified. This product is one of 15 from that pool chosen for a full review. Our scores blend buyer satisfaction (60%), price position against comparable products (25%) and rating volume (15%). Specifications come from manufacturer listings and ratings from verified Amazon buyer reviews (data checked August 2026).
The Short Answer on the SUNKKO 788H
Best for: you need a portable spot welder that can handle 0.2 mm nickel plated steel strips for 18650 battery pack assembly.
The SUNKKO 788H is a solid choice for this application at $159.99.
- Pro: The device clears the 0.1mm to 0.3mm nickel strip thickness threshold for effective pulse welding.
- Pro: It includes both a foot pedal and a manual pushing head control method for different welding styles.
- Pro: The unit functions as a battery tester and charger in addition to a spot welder.
- Con: It is limited to 0.15 mm pure nickel strip, which may restrict those using thicker pure nickel for high-discharge builds.
- Con: It requires a 40A-60A circuit breaker to prevent tripping, which may necessitate specific electrical setup adjustments.
Don’t buy this if: you need to weld pure nickel strips thicker than 0.15 mm, as this model cannot penetrate that material without risking a high resistance “cold” weld.
Price assessment: At $159.99, the price is fair for a multi-function unit that includes both welding and battery testing capabilities.
MyHobbyLobby score: 8.4/10 (data-driven – see “How we picked” above)
For those working with delicate precious metals, see our guide to the best spot welder for jewelry repair.
Key Specifications
| Suitable for welding nickel plated steel strips | 0.05 – 0.2 mm |
| Suitable for welding pure nickel strip | 0.05 – 0.15 mm |
| Compatible batteries | 18650, 14500 |
| Welding control methods | Pushing head up, foot pedal |
| Functions | Spot welding, battery testing, battery charging |
| Recommended circuit breaker | 40A-60A |
The SUNKKO 788H clears the 0.1mm to 0.3mm nickel strip thickness threshold by supporting up to 0.2 mm of nickel plated steel.
Where this sits in the buyer data: Among the 39 products screened for this category, this one’s 4.1 rating places it #12, on 70 ratings – above the 7-rating median of that group, so the average rests on more feedback than most of its comparables. On price it undercuts 49 of them.
Before You Buy: SUNKKO 788H Checklist
The first thing to check is your power supply capacity to ensure the unit can operate without interrupting your home’s electricity.
- ☐ Confirm your nickel strip thickness — 0.05 to 0.2 mm for nickel plated steel
- ☐ Confirm your nickel strip thickness — 0.05 to 0.15 mm for pure nickel
- ☐ Verify battery compatibility — 18650 and 14500 cells
- ☐ Budget for a dedicated circuit breaker — 40A-60A recommended to prevent tripping
- ☐ Check control preference — pushing the welding head up or using a foot pedal
You should not buy the SUNKKO 788H if your project requires welding nickel strips thicker than 0.2 mm, as it may fail to penetrate the material without melting the strip.
What the Numbers Mean in Use
Dual Function Battery Testing and Charging
The SUNKKO Pulse Spot Welder 788H supports battery testing and charging functions alongside its primary welding role. These features allow you to manage your 18650 or 14500 cells within a single workflow, ensuring the batteries are at the correct state of charge before you begin the welding process.
Foot Pedal and Head Push Controls
You can operate the SUNKKO 788H using either a foot pedal or by pushing the welding head up. The head push control provides a direct physical interface for the welding action, while the foot pedal allows you to keep your hands free to position the nickel strips and battery cells accurately.
Nickel Strip Compatibility
The SUNKKO 788H clears the 0.1mm to 0.3mm nickel strip thickness threshold, as it is rated to weld 0.2 mm nickel plated steel strips. This capability ensures you can penetrate thicker material without the strip melting or sticking to the welder. For pure nickel, the 788H supports a range of 0.05 – 0.15 mm.
How the SUNKKO 788H Compares to Alternatives
The SUNKKO 788H provides a higher user rating than other pulse welders in this comparison, holding a 4.1 score from 70 buyer ratings.
- The SUNKKO 788H costs the same price as the Mophorn 788H Pulse Spot Welder.
- The SUNKKO 788H costs $3.02 less than the TBVECHI High Power Argon Pulse Spot Welder.
- The SUNKKO 788H costs $4.99 more than the 788H LED Dual Pulse Spot Welder.
- The SUNKKO 788H costs $5.01 less than the GLITTER 801B Battery Spot Welder.
- The SUNKKO 788H costs $8 less than the Handheld Mini Portable Industrial Welding Gun.
While the SUNKKO 788H offers a high rating, you should choose the 788H LED Dual Pulse Spot Welder if your priority is the lowest available price point of $155.
If your project requires heavy-duty fastening, view our full Mophorn 4550 Stud Welder review.
What Buyers Still Want to Know About the SUNKKO 788H
Is the battery testing and charging function on the SUNKKO Pulse Spot Welder 788H useful?
The SUNKKO 788H includes integrated battery testing and charging functions, providing multi-functional utility beyond standard spot welding. These features allow you to manage cell health and power levels within the same unit, potentially justifying the $159.99 price point over single-purpose welders.
How long do the welding tips last on the SUNKKO 788H?
The SUNKKO 788H does not list a specific lifespan for the welding head or internal components in the technical specifications. You should check the manufacturer’s maintenance guide for the recommended replacement interval of the tips to prevent tip oxidation and inconsistent weld quality.
Can the SUNKKO Pulse Spot Welder 788H weld 0.2 mm nickel strips?
Yes, the SUNKKO 788H is rated to weld nickel plated steel strips up to 0.2 mm thick. This clears the 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm thickness threshold required to penetrate the material without melting the strip.
Is the SUNKKO Pulse Spot Welder 788H compatible with 18650 batteries?
Yes, the SUNKKO 788H is specifically compatible with 18650 and 14500 battery cells. This allows for standard spot welding applications on these common lithium cell chemistries.
New users can find a technical overview in our breakdown of how a spot welder works.
Is the SUNKKO 788H Right for You?
The SUNKKO 788H suits 5 kinds of buyer and is the wrong choice for 3 jobs, listed below with the reason for each.
Who the SUNKKO 788H is for, and what it does well
Who the SUNKKO 788H suits
- DIY e-bike builders — ability to weld 0.05 – 0.15 mm pure nickel strips for battery packs
- RC car hobbyists — compatibility with 18650 and 14500 batteries for power systems
- Maker space students — dual welding control methods including a foot pedal for precision
- Home energy storage hobbyists — ability to weld nickel plated steel strips up to 0.2 mm
- Battery repair technicians — integrated functions for battery testing and charging
What the SUNKKO 788H handles well
- Building custom 18650 battery packs — compatible with 18650 batteries
- Assembling 14500 power cells — compatible with 14500 batteries
- Joining thin nickel strips — suitable for welding 0.05 – 0.15 mm pure nickel
- Connecting nickel plated steel — suitable for welding 0.05 – 0.2 mm nickel plated steel strips
- Testing cell health — function includes battery testing
- Charging battery cells — function includes battery charging
What the SUNKKO 788H is the wrong choice for
- Welding heavy gauge nickel — max nickel thickness limited to 0.2 mm
- Industrial scale battery manufacturing — requires a 40A-60A circuit breaker to prevent tripping
- Thick metal fabrication — limited to 0.05 – 0.2 mm nickel plated steel strips
What to budget alongside the SUNKKO 788H, and what to skip
Worth buying at the same time
- 40A-60A circuit breaker — required to prevent the system from tripping out
- Pure nickel strips — required for welding at 0.05 – 0.15 mm thickness
- Nickel plated steel strips — required for welding at 0.05 – 0.2 mm thickness
- 18650 batteries — primary compatible battery type for welding
- 14500 batteries — secondary compatible battery type for welding
What you can skip
- External battery tester — product already includes a battery testing function
- External battery charger — product already includes a battery charging function
- High-capacity industrial welder — unnecessary as this unit handles 0.05 – 0.2 mm nickel strips
Where to Buy the SUNKKO 788H
These retailers sell Spot Welder generally – we do not track which of them has this particular model in stock, so check availability and the current price with the retailer before making a trip.
- Tractor Supply Co (online and physical stores) — rural and farm-oriented welding equipment and tools
- Northern Tool + Equipment (online and physical stores) — industrial-grade welding machinery and trade accounts
- ArcTool (online only) — specialist retailer for welding equipment and accessories
- Amazon (online only) — wide variety of consumer and hobbyist battery spot welders
- eBay (online only) — marketplace for new and used welding equipment
- Home Depot (online and physical stores) — availability of heavy-duty stud welders and automotive welding tools
Final Verdict on the SUNKKO 788H
If you need a portable spot welder that handles standard nickel strips for 18650 battery builds, the SUNKKO 788H is a practical choice at the $159.99 mark.
The SUNKKO 788H clears the 0.1mm to 0.3mm nickel strip thickness threshold, as it is rated to weld nickel plated steel up to 0.2 mm.
Skip it if: you need to weld pure nickel strips thicker than 0.15 mm or require an industrial AC-powered resistance spot welder for heavy-duty structural welds.