14 replies to this topic

[se_juggles]

Hello again all.

 

I have a few questions about purchasing a new mig welder to start practising on my missus mini. Who better to ask than you guys!!!

 

i would be looking at spending about £300 ish on it and must be gas.

 

any information from personal experience would be great. 

 

Cheers se

[sonikk4]

Clarke 135TE Turbo. I use and abuse my constantly and will do everything you need to do on a mini and more.

[FlyingScot]

^^^ +1 I have one of these. I registered with machine mart and they sent me a vat free voucher after about 2 weeks, which I used to reduce the cost. Replaced a 20 year old SIP Migmate and my welding improved no end.

FS

[Woody001]

Have a read through the following thread.

http://www.theminifo...-get/?p=3256192

[adcyork]

+1 for the Clarke 135 here

 

Whatever you do, make the initial investment in a rent free bottle of argon/Co2 mix rather than the little disposable bottles sold at machine mart. The price may look high compared to the disposables but you will soon realise what a saving it is after an short period of quickly running through disposables at ~£15 a pop. Especially when you're starting out welding and you are not efficient with gas use. 

 

A couple of links 

 

http://www.albeegascylinders.com/

 

http://www.hobbyweld.co.uk/

[se_juggles]

Seems like a no brainer then in that case lol. I was expecting to need one that has a power output dial on it so i could change the power of the welder....

Cheers for the help guys.

Se

[Cooperman]

As a comparison take a look at the Miller MIG180. More power than the Clarke and about the same price or slightly less.

I've had a Miller MIG set for over 15 years and it is superb. Very powerful and easy to use with a wide range of available settings. In all that time the only replacement was for a new gun, which I bought from BOC for a reasonable price.

[se_juggles]

Cheers cooper ill have a look into them too in that case...

Anyone have experience with the clarke 151TE model??? Im guessing its the one up from the 135TE but that doesnt always make it better.

[Ben_O]

I have the snap-on (cebora) mig 130 turbo and it a very good bit of kit.

 

The main thing that attracted me to it was it's ability to be able to be converted to a euro torch which is something i am yet to do. The consumables for the euro torches are half the price of the others and the conversion kit is less than £100

[adcyork]

Cheers cooper ill have a look into them too in that case...

Anyone have experience with the clarke 151TE model??? Im guessing its the one up from the 135TE but that doesnt always make it better.

 

On the highest power setting the 135 model is right on the limit of standard 3 pin 13A household plug. You'll need at least a 15A supply for to run the 150TE. Capable of welding 6mm steel plate, there is nothing on a mini that a 135 won't weld comfortably.

[Cooperman]

My Miller is a 150 and runs on a 13 amp fuse with no problems at all. Most of the semi-professional MIG units work on 230 v single phase supply and a 13 a fuse is usual.

[Woody001]

I have the snap-on (cebora) mig 130 turbo and it a very good bit of kit.

 

The main thing that attracted me to it was it's ability to be able to be converted to a euro torch which is something i am yet to do. The consumables for the euro torches are half the price of the others and the conversion kit is less than £100

 

I just converted my MAC welder over to a Euro torch on Saturday morning. The old 'built in' torch had seen a lot better days!

I purchased the socket from eBay and the got a Binzel MB15 torch from R-Tech. The MAC welder had the hole and three fastener holes already in the faceplate so it was a relatively easy job. I took the opportunity to tidy up the wiring inside the welder and also made some new brackets for one of the transformers which had broken. A couple of hours later and I don't ever remember it welding so well as it does now, well worth the effort. 

 

Ian.

Edited by Woody001, 18 May 2015 - 11:35 AM.

[Ben_O]

 

I have the snap-on (cebora) mig 130 turbo and it a very good bit of kit.

 

The main thing that attracted me to it was it's ability to be able to be converted to a euro torch which is something i am yet to do. The consumables for the euro torches are half the price of the others and the conversion kit is less than £100

 

I just converted my MAC welder over to a Euro torch on Saturday morning. The old 'built in' torch had seen a lot better days!

I purchased the socket from eBay and the got a Binzel MB15 torch from R-Tech. The MAC welder had the hole and three fastener holes already in the faceplate so it was a relatively easy job. I took the opportunity to tidy up the wiring inside the welder and also made some new brackets for one of the transformers which had broken. A couple of hours later and I don't ever remember it welding so well as it does now, well worth the effort. 

 

Ian.

 

my standard torch is ok at the moment and i have dozens of spare tips so will probably use them up first but then again, maybe not as 1 tip lasts me longer than i can think.

 

I think the difference you have noticed is down to the hose as they are more flexible.

 

I found with my standard Cebora hose, i have to make sure it perfectly straight as otherwise the wire feed is affected

[Titchywitch256]

+1 for the 135TE. I was a complete novice to welding and managed to repair my door and fit a new skin once I had a bit of practice with it. Easy to set up. 

 

I did a lot of research before I bought it and ruled out the 151 although I can't remember why. 

 

Have a look here:

 

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/

 

loads of advice on buying and technique.

[Woody001]

 

 

I have the snap-on (cebora) mig 130 turbo and it a very good bit of kit.

 

The main thing that attracted me to it was it's ability to be able to be converted to a euro torch which is something i am yet to do. The consumables for the euro torches are half the price of the others and the conversion kit is less than £100

 

I just converted my MAC welder over to a Euro torch on Saturday morning. The old 'built in' torch had seen a lot better days!

I purchased the socket from eBay and the got a Binzel MB15 torch from R-Tech. The MAC welder had the hole and three fastener holes already in the faceplate so it was a relatively easy job. I took the opportunity to tidy up the wiring inside the welder and also made some new brackets for one of the transformers which had broken. A couple of hours later and I don't ever remember it welding so well as it does now, well worth the effort. 

 

Ian.

 

my standard torch is ok at the moment and i have dozens of spare tips so will probably use them up first but then again, maybe not as 1 tip lasts me longer than i can think.

 

I think the difference you have noticed is down to the hose as they are more flexible.

 

I found with my standard Cebora hose, i have to make sure it perfectly straight as otherwise the wire feed is affected

 

 

That and the connection into the welder was actually kept together with the use of copious amounts of electrical tape!