Hi Folks,
I'm thinking about buying a Clarke 90EN to get started with home welding (I'm just reaching the end of a MIG course at my local college) - with the gas conversion, and probably the gubbins for connecting to full size bottles.
For the time being I'll be using it for 0.8 - 2mm non-structural steel and, I'm hoping, some ally work as well (between 2mm and 5mm in ally). I'm also opting for the EN because I may have to do some work outside, so it would be nice to have the option of fluxed wire, if conditions dictate.
If I find myself using it regularly, then I'll consider investing in a second, larger Clarke machine (just for thicker material) or something like a Portamig (for everything).
Now, here the question: will the 90EN work at all for aluminium? I know it has some nice, low power settings, but can I replace the wire feed liner with the ally friendly ones (plastic or teflon, IIRC?)? Is the wire feed mech going to be good enough?
The aluminium work won't be body work thin material, nor structural (only fairly small, light/medium duty brackets and such), and can be tidied-up afterwards.
Before I start getting suggestions to use TIG for ally, I'm hoping to start to learn TIG next year, but I'm not likely to be able afford, or justify a TIG unit, so it's MIG or nothing. For ally work that needs more finesse, if I can tack it with the MIG, and then take it to the college, I could do it "properly" with the TIG - assuming I actually get the hang of TIG!
Or am I being too focussed on the low power setting (down to 24a) of the 90? Would the 30a lower setting or some of the slightly larger Clarke MIGs work just as well for my requirements, and give me more flexibility in higher range?
Or am I wanting just too much from a hobby MIG?
Thoughts invited - but please be gentle....
Thanks!
Chris
I'm thinking about buying a Clarke 90EN to get started with home welding (I'm just reaching the end of a MIG course at my local college) - with the gas conversion, and probably the gubbins for connecting to full size bottles.
For the time being I'll be using it for 0.8 - 2mm non-structural steel and, I'm hoping, some ally work as well (between 2mm and 5mm in ally). I'm also opting for the EN because I may have to do some work outside, so it would be nice to have the option of fluxed wire, if conditions dictate.
If I find myself using it regularly, then I'll consider investing in a second, larger Clarke machine (just for thicker material) or something like a Portamig (for everything).
Now, here the question: will the 90EN work at all for aluminium? I know it has some nice, low power settings, but can I replace the wire feed liner with the ally friendly ones (plastic or teflon, IIRC?)? Is the wire feed mech going to be good enough?
The aluminium work won't be body work thin material, nor structural (only fairly small, light/medium duty brackets and such), and can be tidied-up afterwards.
Before I start getting suggestions to use TIG for ally, I'm hoping to start to learn TIG next year, but I'm not likely to be able afford, or justify a TIG unit, so it's MIG or nothing. For ally work that needs more finesse, if I can tack it with the MIG, and then take it to the college, I could do it "properly" with the TIG - assuming I actually get the hang of TIG!
Or am I being too focussed on the low power setting (down to 24a) of the 90? Would the 30a lower setting or some of the slightly larger Clarke MIGs work just as well for my requirements, and give me more flexibility in higher range?
Or am I wanting just too much from a hobby MIG?
Thoughts invited - but please be gentle....
Thanks!
Chris