I've found a Clarke 90EN that's new but shop return for £150. It's only got 3 months warranty. Is it worth getting a proper new one and paying an extra £15 for a 1 year warranty?
How long's a piece of string?! They can all give problems, irrespective of make, but Clarke are generally one of the more reliable units in their price range. For an extra 15 quid I'd definately go new
weldequip
Weldequip - I'm sure I read somewhere that you sell welders? or did I not? I think someone said you can get xxxx etc. cheaper from weldequip or somthing like that. If so, what do you sell and for how much on the cheaper end MIG welders?
I'd also be tempted by the new one. Normally if it works then it works, but manufacturing problems can still show their head after more than 3 months.
Main risk is the chances of you having to spend a couple of days sorting out returns and delivery for one that has already been sent back (and maybe does have faults or has been damaged by couriers) isn't worth £15.
Yes mate, we sell welders. Don't get involved with the very smallest stuff though as that is the preserve of the 'Sell it & forget it box mover'. My first question to you would be "What do you want to do with the machine?", and not how much have you got to spend. If the machine ain't up to the job it could turn out to be an expensive mistake in the mid-term...maybe better saving up some more & getting it right first time (All depending on what you want to do with it of course, that model could well be ideal).
weldequip
You never really know what you're going to need your welder for, but most of what I've needed a welder for in the past is patching up rusted out holes in cars. Just body work and exhausts. I wouldn't be welding a chassis or anything chunky like that. I might want to do other domestic type stuff, for example, fix a metal chair leg. I've already got a basic 140amp arc welder.
Around £30 for a disposable gas canister, canister regulator & spool of standard wire. If you never intend using the gas-less facility on the 90EN (OK for thicker material but useless on thin bodywork) just go for the Pro90 model, which is already set up ready to use with the gas kit.
weldequip
Thanks, all the info really helpful. I was thinking the Pro 90 was just the older model of the 90EN. Didn't realise it had all the gas stuff. Also didn't know the gasless stuff wasn't good for thinner metal. Do you think it'll be allright for welding 1.5mm to car bodywork metal?
Am I right in thinking the 90EN has a Turbo fan, but the Pro 90 doesn't?
It's the 100EN that has the fan fitted, not the 90EN; doesn't make a huge amount of difference anyway.
The Pro90 has a lower OCV (Open Circuit Voltage) than the 90EN so will perform better on thin sheet
weldequip
Davey, it depends on what flow rate you have the regulator set at but expect somewhere around 7 mins of continuous welding from a standard disposable .