Clarke EN90 Live or non live torch?

[LMT]

Hello everyone. A female newbie here who is about to learn how to mig weld.

Ive never learned to weld before so this is completely new to me. I have good knowledge on car mechanics and learning to mig weld is something I have always wanted to do.

Anyway, my question. I have read about permanent live mig torches and I have been offered a Clarke EN90 for a cheap price. I'd like to know if these welders have a permanent live mig torch or not?

Thank you.

Tina.

 

[shenion]

AFAIK, none of the Clarke's had a live torch.

 

[malcolm]

True enough - Clarke 90 has a non-live torch. Works OK too, but is low on output and struggles with steel thicker than 2mm. Welcome by the way.

 

[LMT]

Thanks guys. I thought I'd check first before I part with my cash. I was offered a Kende 105F No gas mig but I read that it had a live torch and wasn't that good so I declined that one.

Clarke 90 has a non-live torch. Works OK too, but is low on output and struggles with steel thicker than 2mm.

I will be mainly working on car body panels so that should be fine.

 

[Robotstar5]

I was offered a Kende 105F No gas mig but I read that it had a live torch and wasn't that good so I declined that one.

I will be mainly working on car body panels

The Kende also has a minimum setting of 60Amps so would blow holes in car panels!

and, welcome to the forum.

 

[LMT]

The Kende also has a minimum setting of 60Amps so would blow holes in car panels!

and, welcome to the forum.

Thanks. Yeah that's another reason why I didn't go for that one. With the low setting of 24Amps I'm hoping the Clarke 90 will be ideal for bodywork.

 

[Wozzaaah]

It will do fine Tina, just don't expect too much of it.
If you think you may need to do a bit more, such as chassis repairs etc then go bigger, something around 150A would be ideal.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[LMT]

Thanks. I have access to a friends 230Amp Clarke mig for when I get to do some chassis work. I think I need to get some good practice in first though.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Sorted!
Have a good look through the tutorials on here for plenty of useful info.

 

[Nomad]

I have been using a Clarke Pro-90 for car repairs and home DIY for a couple of years and it has coped with anything I've needed to do.
Is fine for car bodywork but it may struggle if I ever need to weld up a new crossmember from heavier steel.
Has done various security gates and angle-iron frames so can do more than just thin bodywork.

Not sure what the difference is between my Pro-90 and the one you're looking at.
I use gas (pub c02) would not like to have to use gasless wire - maybe check if yours can use gas before buying.

An decent auto-darkening helmet is also a big help, can be got cheap if you look around

Have fun

 

[LMT]

Sorted!
Have a good look through the tutorials on here for plenty of useful info.

Yeah I was looking through those. There is loads of good info on here too on techniques etc.
I'll post up my first welds when I get practicing.

 

[LMT]

I have been using a Clarke Pro-90 for car repairs and home DIY for a couple of years and it has coped with anything I've needed to do.
Is fine for car bodywork but it may struggle if I ever need to weld up a new crossmember from heavier steel.
Has done various security gates and angle-iron frames so can do more than just thin bodywork.

Not sure what the difference is between my Pro-90 and the one you're looking at.
I use gas (pub c02) would not like to have to use gasless wire - maybe check if yours can use gas before buying.

An decent auto-darkening helmet is also a big help, can be got cheap if you look around

Have fun

The 90EN can run on gas too. I'm just not sure how to convert it. I presume you need the regulator and piping to go with the bottled gas but I don't know what else I need yet. I will try gasless first as some flux wire comes with the welder. If I cannot get on with that then I'll try using gas.

I have got an auto darkening helmet so that's ok. As they say I have all the gear but no idea!

Practice makes perfect though.

 

[keith19]

The 90EN should be ideal for car panel work. As said, it has its limitations, but for thin metal work should be excellent. There's a review here:

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/clarke-90.htm

If you are starting out with gasless wire, practice on something like 1.5 or 2 mm or thicker to start with, just laying a few runs on the surface so you can get the hang of using the torch. You shouldn't be in any danger of blowing through unless you move too slowly.

Study the tutorials on here before you start, it makes it easier to deduce where you are going wrong if you get problems.

Best of luck with it, and any problems just post on here, the guys will be falling over themselves to help you

 

[LMT]

The 90EN should be ideal for car panel work. As said, it has its limitations, but for thin metal work should be excellent. There's a review here:

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/clarke-90.htm

If you are starting out with gasless wire, practice on something like 1.5 or 2 mm or thicker to start with, just laying a few runs on the surface so you can get the hang of using the torch. You shouldn't be in any danger of blowing through unless you move too slowly.

Study the tutorials on here before you start, it makes it easier to deduce where you are going wrong if you get problems.

I have loads of scrap metal to practice on including some 2mm and 3mm plate, old car panels and a donated old Ford Fiesta car so I have something to start with. I read that gasless welding is harder to learn than gas welding but I'll see how I get on. I can always convert the 90 later on.

Best of luck with it, and any problems just post on here, the guys will be falling over themselves to help you

Thanks. Yeah I don't suppose there are many female welders on here?!
I just need some good weather now so I can get welding.

 

[nicknack]

good weather in wales ?? you'll be lucky

 

[KemppiFrog]

I learnt MIG without help, a real PITA. This forum is ace for help, nothing more frustrating than not understanding why it is going wrong.
Good luck & nice bodywork
KF

 

[LMT]

good weather in wales ?? you'll be lucky

Yeah it is a bit rubbish out there at the mo.

 

[LMT]

I learnt MIG without help, a real PITA. This forum is ace for help, nothing more frustrating than not understanding why it is going wrong.
Good luck & nice bodywork
KF

Thanks. Yeah I'll bung up some pics of my first welds when I get started. Then you guys can giggle..... I mean cast your expert eyes over them.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Thanks. Yeah I don't suppose there are many female welders on here?!

We do have a few on here.
Sparkey, Wedgie, Ratty, Debs, though other than Sparkey (who occasionally talks about welding between all her other drivel ) none of the others are very active on here.