Top end Clarke MIGs - 220TE any good?

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I've been looking at the Clarke MIG220TE (200A) at £499.98 on a "VAT free day".This machine seems to have a better (aluminium) wire feed system than the cheaper versions and has a cog that drives the idler wheel.

Is this welder a good bet at this price or would I be better off looking for something else?

 

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I guess that with no information available on this Clarke welder that I'd be better off looking for an alternative welder instead?

 

[fingers99]

If you need something with that kind of capacity (10mm mild steel, although I doubt it'll do that duty for long) and need something new, it looks a fair buy.

I'd guess, though, that you could probably pick up something far superior second hand for that kind of money.

Really, it'll boil down to what you're going to use it for and how much grief you're going to give it.

 

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I sent an email to Machine Mart to get the specifications on the Clarke MIG220TE,and they sent me a PDF of the instruction manual.

Although it states in the MM catalogue that this machine has a range of 30-200A,the manual clearly states that it is 40-200A,which would make it pants for the thin stuff.

I'm now thinking about the Butters AMT 181.

 

[malcolm]

That's good info, thanks for posting that. It's often the case for higher output welders that they don't start very low down.

Don't know why the model name for a 200 amp welder is 220TE. Don't they realise that could confuse people?

Butters 181 seems to have a good reputation.

 

[Luke]

Don't they realise that could confuse people?

I think that's exactly why they DO do it!!

 

[matt1978]

I think that's exactly why they DO do it!!

Your right Luke. That is why they do it.

The Butters 181 would be a better buy in my opinion.