clarke 255tec

[clueless77]

is this welder any good, vat free day coming up soon and going for a compressor as well, read the section on buying, will be using it for chassis and bulkhead repairs on my landrover amongst other things. any advice would be appreciated. ( i'm new by the way)

 

[wyn]

It looks ok, but that sort of budget would allow you to purchase something with a bit more quality and aftersales back up.
Have a look in the weldequip shop to give you an idea.

 

[zzr1200]

is this welder any good, vat free day coming up soon and going for a compressor as well, read the section on buying, will be using it for chassis and bulkhead repairs on my landrover amongst other things. any advice would be appreciated. ( i'm new by the way)

For the money there's better deals and welders to be had for the same money or less, at the top of the page is "Weldequip Shop" try an email or a phone call will probably get you a better deal on an English hand built machine........


PS must type faster.....


Clueless try a search above for 'Portamig" and you'll see what we mean...

 

[Luke]

7 voltage settings over a range of 30 - 250 Amps is poor, especially when compared to a Portamig 235, with 12 steps over 15-235A, for 125 quid less, INCLUDING the VAT discount!

FWIW, I've got a Portamig 215 which is spot on for Land Rover work, chassis, rear crossmember, winch/cage mounts etc. I've welded 10mm with it, which is a stretch, but do-able with plenty of prep.

 

[clueless77]

ooh

thanks for the suggestions, i'll look at the others now. glad i asked before chucking my cash about.

 

[clueless77]

portamig

them portamigs do look good value and spec, been slobbering over the mm catalogue for nowt.

 

[malcolm]

Forget Clarkes for anything more than 150 amps - as has been suggested there are better machines for less money out there.

But 255 amps seems a little excessive for a Land Rover unless it's an unusually big one. I wouldn't have thought you would need any more than 180 amps for anything on a Land Rover, but I've only had occasional dealings with them so please set me right anyone with a better estimation.

It's important stuff as maximum amps can push the price up a lot.

PS - What are your plans for the compressor? We can advise on those too. Multi-talented us lot.

 

[clueless77]

errrr

with the welder i looked at the 60% duty of 150 amps, and thought the 255 figure was one of those marketing exagerations. as for the compressor i want something that will provide enough air for tools, spraying and a blast cabinet for cleaning up components with a bit extra for luck. i'm totally clueless regarding compressors and mig welders (did gas welding and arc welding at college a long time ago ) but i've recently had a double garage built just for little old me (apart from her washer and dryer) and i'm trying to get my ideal workshop where i can rebuild land rovers and build my own rifles (legally) so will also want a lathe eventually. problem is i'm one of them suckers who likes all singing all dancing big shiny things that go woo, so have to lie about how much things cost when they get delivered

 

[malcolm]

Duty cycle for welders is the amount of time you can use the thing before it gets too hot at a particular setting. The standard for working it out varies between manufacturers, but for decent welders 60% duty cycle will be the ability to weld 6 minutes in every 10. For car repair with MIGs it doesn't tend to be a big issue as you'll not normally want to weld continuously for very long anyway, if nothing else to avoid distortion. Though cheap nasty welders suck so you'd have been better off with the Portamig that was suggested before I got involved.

Ahh - compressors and blasting. You would be best starting another thread for compressors in that case. Or a good search of the forum for such things. It's very easy to under-buy a compressor.