CD (capacitor discharge) weld studs require lower levels of heat and less time to weld than drawn arc weld studs. They do not lose any length during the stud welding process and are suitable for use on sheet metal and other thin materials that would be marred by the drawn arc welding process. A stud is loaded into a compatible CD stud welding gun, and the gun is connected to a CD stud welder that supplies current to the stud. An arc is created between the stud and the workpiece, and the heat from the arc melts and fuses a small projection on the base of the stud and a small area on the surface of the workpiece to permanently bond the stud to the workpiece. Weld studs are threaded fasteners that take less time to install than fasteners that require drilling, tapping, punching, or screwing.