Advice please

[GForce2010]

Hi.

I've been toying with the idea of getting a MIG welder for sometime now. Planning on using it for various little projects like making brackets.

Budget is a few hundred. Are the clarke ones from machine mart any good?

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome to the forum:

I own a Clarke and it is excellent, there is an 'original' range that tend to be pricier than the new budget range, these are the one's to buy.

If buying from MM post a request up for a VAT free voucher, members tend to pass them around if they have no need for them.

You should also consider the GYS 160 and the R-Tech 180 depending on your budget, there are of course many others but at the moment these are the popular one's for hobby welders.

Buy the best you can and buy once, amazing how fast people can grow out of their first welding machine, soon wishing they had spent that bit extra in the first place.

 

[gaz1]

I bought the clarke 150tm from ebay and I also have a sip 150 gas and gasless the clarke is the better one but i do like the sip for its gasless aproach can use that outside both on ebay around 100.00 but if you do look on ebay test it first to make sure it works

ive used both ever since buying them but the sip i did the adaption for it and will use it till it burns out or goes faulty

 

[GForce2010]

Thanks for the advice. I'm thinking of going for a Clarke 135TE. I understand that is a decent starting point as it goes upto 130 amps and down to 30 amps.

One question about this welder is do you have to use gas? I know it would get a better result but was just wondering if I got some wire with flux could I use it like a gassless welder?

Thanks.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Gas only, you want the 130EN for dual purpose

 

[GForce2010]

I shall be picking up a Clarke 160EN that I got second hand later today. Just need to get mask and gloves.