151TE or 160EN (First Welder)

[Hardeep]

Hi.

Been lurking the forum for some time now. Thought I'd get myself registered today!

I'm looking at getting a welder from machine mart and have come across these two machines?

Which one would be the better purchase.

-inexperienced welder (have done a little When I was younger, wasn't the best)
-will be mainly carrying out car body repairs / restoration
-probably be getting a rent free argon/co2 gas bottle (so I don't have to worry about gas running out)
-going to learning/teaching myself (research off google/youtube/practice)

Think that's about it.

Machines in question;

151TE
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/151te-turbo-mig-welder

160EN
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/mig160en-turbo-no-gas-mig-welder

Now I'm sure this may be a pretty obvious answer to some... But I don't have a clue! Ha... So hopefully somebody will be able to guide me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance

 

[skotl]

151TE every day. The 160EN's "selling point" is the you can use it without gas, but you'll become endlessly frustrated at having to do no-gas welding. Then you need to pay extra to get the gas conversion kit.

Of course, with the 151TE (or any gas welder) then you need to factor in the cost of the gas. I see that it comes with a (presumably tiny) starter gas bottle and a regulator, and that will get you going, but you'll empty the gas bottle very quickly.
Have you had a look at the BOC volkzone offer thread? Hint; start at the last page and work your way back.
You'll need to budget ~£50 a year for gas.

You can possibly save some money, too; look around here for MachineMart voucher codes that give you 20% off a purchase. Or look for a 2nd hand Clarke - should be plenty around in your price range.

Edit: Welcome to the forum!

 

[Hardeep]

Yeah was leaning more to the 151TE. As I see nothing but good reviews on here for it.

As for the BOC offer. £50 a year wouldnt be beneficial for me just yet as I wouldn't be doing much welding. If I see myself welding more and more... I shall look into it. Thanks

I have a VAT free day at my local MM. Been waiting for one of these cards since Christmas! Finally got one through the post!

Thanks for the replies

 

[optima21]

I got a 151te second hand, but if I was buying new I'd have got a 151en and converted it, it might not look as pretty, but has the same functionality and works out to be a few pounds cheaper.

 

[gaz1]

Yeah was leaning more to the 151TE. As I see nothing but good reviews on here for it.

As for the BOC offer. £50 a year wouldnt be beneficial for me just yet as I wouldn't be doing much welding. If I see myself welding more and more... I shall look into it. Thanks

I have a VAT free day at my local MM. Been waiting for one of these cards since Christmas! Finally got one through the post!

Thanks for the replies

thats what i said and went through 4 bottles from boc gas it would have been 5 if id have gotten some transport to get another gas bottle

if i was doing it again the clarke was fine to buy i got the 150te blue one and learnt on it now im actually interested within the portamig 180

 

[BoatBuilderDave]

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/mig151en-turbo-no-gas-mig-welder

Personally I'd go with that or one of its smaller siblings (will do gas no problem), albeit bigger capacity of welder...better duty cycle...mine was supplied with a 13Amp plug moulded on.

I did just this.
The TE seems to be a very similar spec. And when you get sick of going through the tiny disposable tanks, you will need to replace the reg anyway.

Price the 151EN + a regulator & gas hose with a 4mm convertor. It will be a LOT cheaper than buying the 160TE and then having to buy the regulator and hose anyway.

And whichever mig you buy, unless it comes with a decent earth clamp, replace it. It should have a copper or brass contact, and a decent spring. The ones on the clarke machines are pants.

 

[Hardeep]

So we're saying go for the 151EN over the TE...?

I don't mind how big it is or how pretty it is. I just need it to be capable of doing a good job.

I'll get myself a rent free bottle and see how long it lasts and if needed, will go with one from BOC..

Thanks for the helpful advice

 

[Niff]

Hello all

I just tried pricing up the extras to convert the EN to gas, and it doesn't seem cheaper? Perhaps I am looking at the wrong things..

I am looking at the same level of welder as Hardeep and for the same (VAT Free Day!!) reasons, right now..

 

[BoatBuilderDave]

In fairness, you can eat chocolate fireguards...

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/mig151en-turbo-no-gas-mig-welder

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/151te-turbo-mig-welder

specs are near identical, EN has the advatage of a detachable earth lead, TE comes with a disposable bottle reg (Chocolate fireguard springs to mind)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Single-St...t=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item23405a2031 << Regulator and adaptor I bought £24.50 (I use CO2 as a shielding gas, though argoshield gives cleaner results)

 

[lazybones51]

Have a look at the Clarke 160TM, comes with a proper reg for a full size gas bottle, along with wheels and a shelf to store the bottle on. https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/mig160tm-welder

I'm very happy with mine.

 

[Hardeep]

I did see people mentioning the 160 in posts but I couldnt find it on the website...

Must have been having a special moment.

I've seen people mentioning it as it saves on the costs of buying the regulator which the 151 needs...

Might look into that little baby if it saves me a few quid and is equally if not a better welder?

 

[Niff]

Agh! Decisions...

The 151 and 160 seem to have the same amperage range, and for 209 + c.25 quid for the regulator and tube you get the same functionality plus a reel of no gas wire for effecting some kind of fix in a breeze should that become necessary..? I think. As opposed to 289 for getting the regulator thrown in.

The 151 also accepts 0.9mm wire, which isn't specified in the 160 - for the fluxed no gas stuff. Only says 0.6 and 0.8 on the 160.

I think.. the 151 seems a more versatile machine..?

MrFuzzy - are the Clarke supplied earth leads made of fluff and nonsense?

 

[Niff]

The clamps are rubbish.....like cheap petrol station jump leads but worse....weak springs, poor contact points - poor contact...bad welds....

Standard mig wire sizes are 0.6 and 0.8 (0.8 being the most common)

The following lead set is far better, though you can buy the clamps separately

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Welding-E...t=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item2335d7dbb7 (dinse plug on the 151en is a 10-25)

Clamp alone
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Crocodile...485?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a18c44d65

Thanks! Crappy leads are a massive PITA as well if they're all thin and inflexible. I'll upgrade straight off.

I've had to jump cars using those crappy leads - it's the way they kept jumping off and going for your face that's the best.

 

[Hardeep]

Have a look at the Clarke 160TM, comes with a proper reg for a full size gas bottle, along with wheels and a shelf to store the bottle on. https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/mig160tm-welder

I'm very happy with mine.

Agh! Decisions...

The 151 and 160 seem to have the same amperage range, and for 209 + c.25 quid for the regulator and tube you get the same functionality plus a reel of no gas wire for effecting some kind of fix in a breeze should that become necessary..? I think. As opposed to 289 for getting the regulator thrown in.

The 151 also accepts 0.9mm wire, which isn't specified in the 160 - for the fluxed no gas stuff. Only says 0.6 and 0.8 on the 160.

I think.. the 151 seems a more versatile machine..?

MrFuzzy - are the Clarke supplied earth leads made of fluff and nonsense?

I see what your saying. ..

Makes sense to get the 151en if you look at it that way.

Save a good £60. Just wasn't sure if it offered me anything extra...

 

[Niff]

I see what your saying. ..

Makes sense to get the 151en if you look at it that way.

Save a good £60. Just wasn't sure if it offered me anything extra...

I don't _think_ so..

 

[Hardeep]

Will be ordering something today...

Any last minute advice ?

Thanks

 

[BoatBuilderDave]

What are you going with?

 

[Niff]

The VAT free doesn't start til saturday, does it Hardeep?

I had a last minute total change of heart after speaking to Dylan at R-Tech and discovering he had one slightly knocked down 180.

It has literally just arrived and is a lovely looking thing with nice strong earth clamp and good looking hose.

I have to do tedious WORK and stuff and also don't have any gas yet so all I can do is look at it and coo.

 

[BoatBuilderDave]

Ah yes, them good looking hoes...

The VAT free doesn't start til saturday, does it Hardeep?

I had a last minute total change of heart after speaking to Dylan at R-Tech and discovering he had one slightly knocked down 180.

It has literally just arrived and is a lovely looking thing with nice strong earth clamp and good looking hose.

I have to do tedious WORK and stuff and also don't have any gas yet so all I can do is look at it and coo.

 

[Hardeep]

Think I'm going go with the 151en and get my self a regulator.

Cheap and cheerful!