18 replies to this topic

[Tamworthbay]

I don't make my living from them but if i did then i would splash the cash. But then i would be buying a TIG as well as a MIG.

Our last one as work was a Lincoln. It was typically American, big ugly and over rated. To be fair it made a decent job of it but was a ball ache to use. We replaced it with a Clarke 255TE and it is a joy to use. I have an abused 151 at home that has given more than decades service including three complete space frame chassis builds.
 
 
What's that saying about bad workmen, a Lincoln Mig will knock the sock's off any comparable clarke and so they should at three times the price..........
 
The clarke I posted a link to above will out perform any of the smaller migs machine mart do, when you go compare the duty cycles..........

Can you not make a single post without being rude or offensive? FYI the technician at work is a ex Pressed steel fisher toolmaker/ welder with 35 years in the industry. I won't be dragged into another of your offensive games, the OP has the information he needs to make a decision.

[sonikk4]

I think we can all agree here that a Clarke will do the job for what the OP needs. The duty cycle does play a big thing here but without banging my drum my 135 did everything i needed and more when i restored my boys Mini plus what i have done on Paddy.

 

Without doubt the larger machines will have a much better duty cycle but if you don't need a large machine then the 135 covers everything you need to do on a Mini.

 

And as Dilligaf and i have said use the VAT free nights that Machine mart offer to make a big saving. I have saved a large amount of money by using these special offers.

[Elliskwleisk]

I'm a big fan of R-Tech welders but they are more expensive than the usual clarke offerings
 
I use a GYS 162 like this http://www.weldequip...martmig-162.htm
 
Only a little more than the clarke but comes with an euro torch, stand on the back for a full size bottle and is definetly a nicer welder to use

What is special about a euro torch? What other things should I look for in a specification? I saw this one on eBay, eBay item number: 251267167784, sounds a fair price? What you think

[ibrooks]

A Eurotorch is one that can be disconnected from the welder and uses a standard plug/fitting on the welder so you can swap any Eurotorch to any welder with a Euro plug. They are generally a more industrial torch so bigger heavier and tougher but...... they are also bulkier and as with anything nowadays there are rubbish ones out there. You can buy a kit to convert the Clarke ones to a Euro socket but since I've never had a problem with the original torch on mine I've never bothered - maybe if something goes wrong with it in the future I'll compare prices with a standard replacement.

 

Regarding 160 Amp welders and what else to look for. What sort of power supply do you have? 240V Single phase does not necessarily mean it will run off a domestic plug socket in all situations. I have a Clarke 150 which has done the business for 15 years so far with no signs of stopping any time soon. It isn't supposed to run off a domestic 13Amp socket but it does. On the lower settings for car related stuff it's not an issue but if I'm doing bigger structural stuff with the welder running at full tilt then it can sometimes blow the fuse in the plug. But then my workshop has an independant supply with it's own distribution board - if you are running a more domestic system then you might find yourself popping fuses further down the line.

 

From the sounds of your situation I would suggest a Clarke 135 or maybe 150 would be the best bet. It'll do the job you want to do for many years without breaking the bank and if you really feel the need to go out and buy a monster then it will fetch a good price second hand. Parts are easy to get on a Sunday at your local Machinemart too which is a consideration for a hobby user who is likely to be working when the local weld supplies place is open.

 

I use Arc, MIG and TIG in my garage depending on what I'm doing. I use a pub CO2 bottle on the MIG for most stuff which cost me £40 from a local supplier £20 of that is a deposit so when I take it back empty to swap for a full one it only costs me £20. I've also got an Albee Argon cylinder - from memory it cost in the order of £150 initially and I'm not sure what the refill/swap cost is.

 

An auto-darkening helmet is the best thing a newbie welder can buy. Cheap ones from ebay do the job just fine for around the £20 mark.

 

Apart from that - practice, practice, practice. If you can get someone who is good at it to spend some time with you on your machine it can help. So much of welding is feel, sight and sound that it can be useless learning to weld on one machine and then moving back to your own with different characteristics.

 

Iain