30 replies to this topic

[Woody001]

The Clarke is a good welder Alex, I would upgrade to the larger gas bottle and suitable regulator - you'll save money quite quickly! Those small Co2 bottles don't last five minutes and cost a fortune. Try your local independent motor factors as they may do the gas.

 

Also, try and get an auto tint helmet, again in the long run they are worth every penny.

 

Best of luck,

Ian.

[sonikk4]

Machinemart do VAT free nights so worth checking your local one and see if any of your mates has got an invite. Saves a chunk of change. 

[Daz1968]

Just had my machine mart vat free voucher through today, valid 10th to 17th may so they are starting up again, unfortunately will use it this time as getting a spot welder for my next project. But someone may have a spare one going

I went the opposite when getting my mig and kept eyes open for an industrial single phase mig either new or nearly new. Ended up finding one on eBay 200amp with euro connector takes 15kg wire and large enough trolley for full sized bottle. Been a very good investment and have had no problems with it at all apart from a couple of blown fuses and a steep learning curve at the beginning. Main thing is you need a low current output and a good voltage adjustment to fine tune it, a good quality feed unit also makes a massive difference. The clarke welder mentioned gets very good reviews and plenty of people convert to euro connector and full sized bottles.

Edited by Daz1968, 01 May 2015 - 05:08 PM.

[castafiore]

If you are doing a big project the BOC Volkszone deal is the most economic way to purchase your gas - Argoshield lite. There is a thread on the mig forum about it, with prices etc. Otherwise Hobbyweld are reasonable if you have a stockist nearby.

[Hendred]

The 135TE looks a good buy, I use this gas, you won't regret it as as stated earlier in this thread the little bottles don't last 5 mins.  Use the store locator for your nearest supplier.

 

http://www.hobbyweld...ts/hobbyweld-5/

 

You'll need this too

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2330fa8760

 

And a hose similar to this

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item27fd6db2b5

 

Worth looking for a second hand welder in my opinion, I got a Clarke 150TE for under £200 which had hardly been used.

Edited by Hendred, 02 May 2015 - 08:25 AM.

[DomCr250]

Just had my machine mart vat free voucher through today, valid 10th to 17th may so they are starting up again, unfortunately will use it this time as getting a spot welder for my next project. But someone may have a spare one going

I went the opposite when getting my mig and kept eyes open for an industrial single phase mig either new or nearly new. Ended up finding one on eBay 200amp with euro connector takes 15kg wire and large enough trolley for full sized bottle. Been a very good investment and have had no problems with it at all apart from a couple of blown fuses and a steep learning curve at the beginning. Main thing is you need a low current output and a good voltage adjustment to fine tune it, a good quality feed unit also makes a massive difference. The clarke welder mentioned gets very good reviews and plenty of people convert to euro connector and full sized bottles.

100% spot on Daz - if you can get a second hand commercial machine all the better - the Clarks are great but the wire feed and the quality of the torch can be iffy - this means they are fine on thick stuff but not that great on the very thin sheet.

 

15Kg spools are much cheaper to buy and the commercial machine will have a euro torch which means affordable but quality spares.

 

Only my 4 pence worth ..but I've been welding for over 40 years now, and although a good mig will not magically make you a great welder and poor mig will make it a lot harder to get better.

[peter-b]

We use beer gas, the straight C02, (not the nitrogen mix one) on ours, you just buy the bottle and get them refilled at home brew shops.

[Hendred]

 

Just had my machine mart vat free voucher through today, valid 10th to 17th may so they are starting up again, unfortunately will use it this time as getting a spot welder for my next project. But someone may have a spare one going

I went the opposite when getting my mig and kept eyes open for an industrial single phase mig either new or nearly new. Ended up finding one on eBay 200amp with euro connector takes 15kg wire and large enough trolley for full sized bottle. Been a very good investment and have had no problems with it at all apart from a couple of blown fuses and a steep learning curve at the beginning. Main thing is you need a low current output and a good voltage adjustment to fine tune it, a good quality feed unit also makes a massive difference. The clarke welder mentioned gets very good reviews and plenty of people convert to euro connector and full sized bottles.

100% spot on Daz - if you can get a second hand commercial machine all the better - the Clarks are great but the wire feed and the quality of the torch can be iffy - this means they are fine on thick stuff but not that great on the very thin sheet.

 

15Kg spools are much cheaper to buy and the commercial machine will have a euro torch which means affordable but quality spares.

 

Only my 4 pence worth ..but I've been welding for over 40 years now, and although a good mig will not magically make you a great welder and poor mig will make it a lot harder to get better.

 

I have found that Clarkes are great but the wire feed is seriously affected if you use 15kg spools, it is just too heavy and makes the feed jerky, stick to 0.75kg spools if buying a Clarke although as stated above slightly more expensive but only 3 quidish a go and last a while.

[ClassicAlex]

Thank you guys for all of the very helpful information! I will have a look at machine mart and see what they offer!
I'll keep you guys updated on what I get in the end, although a Clarke 135TE looks likely! Cheers!

[ClassicAlex]

Thank you guys for all of the very helpful information! I will have a look at machine mart and see what they offer!
I'll keep you guys updated on what I get in the end, although a Clarke 135TE looks likely! Cheers!

[Daz1968]

Register on machine mart web site they may send a vat free offer

[Ben_O]

Before you buy the Clarke one, I will say that the wolf one you linked is absolutely ideal.

 

I had one (although red and from eBay) and it was really nice to use. Pretty decent quality too. I had to chuck mine after a few weeks though as my garage got flooded and the welder was ruined.

 

I did however recommend the same welder to another member a few months later and he bought one. I received a PM a few months after thanking me for the recommendation and told me it was working really well.

 

I currently run a snap on Mig 130 ( Cebora like the MAC ones) which is fan cooled and is a great piece of equipment. I bought mine second hand with a toolbox full of spares, a shield, gas bottle, gauntlets, anti splatter spray and spare wire reels for £100.

have you considered buying used? If you do though, take along someone who is an experienced welder as you might not know the difference between a good machine and a lemon if you have never welded.

 

Ben

[ClassicAlex]

Hey guys

 

Just an update, I have now placed an order for a Clarke 135TE MIG Welder with the starter kit. I should get it before the weekend! I have decided to get the Clarke as it seems like it would last longer in long term use and the reviews for the Clarke was very promising!

 

Thanks for all the help!

 

I'll put up some pictures of my welds when I start using it!

 

Cheers

[Hendred]

Well done mate, good choice, cant go wrong with a Clarke.

[castafiore]

Check out the Volkszone gas deal and join the Mig forum - really helpful folk over there. I would also recommend buying a drop down visor auto darkening helmet as they are far superior to the hand held ones.