A portable stud welder apparatus is provided for welding a stud onto a work piece. The portable stud welder apparatus includes a housing and an energy storage device. A weld stud gun that is configured to hold a weld stud is electrically connected to the energy storage device for receiving energy from the energy storage device to pass a current through the stud and the work piece to form a weldment. At least one battery of the lithium ion type that is removeably coupled to the housing to establish an electrical connection with said energy storage device and provide energy to the energy storage device.