Another noob mini enthusiast wanting a go at welding

[Richard.]

Mig regs usually have 2 analog dials on them , the first is to tell you the pressure available left in the cylinder and the second is telling you your actual flow. This is adjusted on the hand adjusting wheel on the front. (Wind it in to increase gas flow)
The shroud is the silver tube in the pic. It focuses the gas flow over the weld pool to ensure adequate protection from the atmosphere.
(You need this with gas)

 

[cumbriasteve]

The 151 EN is a gas or gasless welder, it's a simple change over of a couple of wires under the case flap and yes if you can get it for the same price or cheaper than the 135 it's a better buy.

The shroud is the bit of tube like steel at the end of the gun, they last a fair time but always handy to have a spare one for the sake of a couple of £.

The regulator difference is you can't use one on the other but they will look virtually the same, sort out what gas you are getting and then order the regulator to suit, your gas supplier may have them in stock.

You also require a gas kit for the larger bottles, one of these which comes with the reg:

http://www.weldequip.com/argonmix-conversion-kit.htm

The welder will come with a fixed thin tube for disposable bottles, that tube fits into the end of the kit in the link and converts the machine for the large bottles.

 

[Fossy]

Brilliant Steve that's what I am on about as most of these are set up for small bottles, thanks guys(Richard etc) I guess I will be back on this when I have it all!

 

[Fossy]

On machine mart there is

A 152 off £169

196 for £199

But why is the Clarke 135 still more expensive??
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/search/filter/diy-mig-welders/type/any/module/shopcategory/page/1

 

[Fossy]

And if I was going to go for the 151en with the gas...gasless would I need new wire etc with it or can you still use the flux core on gas?

 

[Richard.]

I'm no expert on clarke machines I've only ever owned one many years ago and it was a great little thing but AFAIK the 135 was one of the originals and the price is reflected in that. I do not know which ones were which but I think some of the original clarkes were better and more sought after than the updated ones. Steve will prob be able to tell you better as I have very limited experience with the brand. But you are right why would a 190 amp machine be cheaper than a 135.

 

[cumbriasteve]

The 152 and 196 are the new cheaper range and suspected not to the same build quality.

It appears the 151 is a tad dearer but like the 135 it is one of the decent Clarkes that will last for years.

You can't really cross mix the wire,it defeats the onbject of the gas welds being smoother and cleaner to apply to the metal

 

[Richard.]

This is the good one:
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/151te-turbo-mig-welder

The 152 and 196 are the new cheaper range and suspected not to the same build quality.

It appears the 151 is a tad dearer but like the 135 it is one of the decent Clarkes that will last for years.

You can't really cross mix the wire,it defeats the onbject of the gas welds being smoother and cleaner to apply to the metal

This is what I thought cheers Steve. There is Clarke and then there is "Clarke"

 

[Spot the welders dog]

My money would be spent on this one. More power and buttons to play with -> https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/mig151en-turbo-no-gas-mig-welder : £250 inc VAT.

Use it 'Gassless' when a quick fix to [insert broken thing of choice] needs a quick fix.
Deffo use Gas when doing the bodywork, and keep the roll of fluxcore for building a wood burner :/

*As your doing a mini you with be proficient with 'plug welds' by the end!!! Just thinking aloud that fluxcore may be useful for such; seeing as its one pull of the trigger to form the joint opposed to the 'Stop/Start' technique on 'runs', so perhaps the slag inclusions may not be a factor and hotter weld pool may be of benefit?
**Never used fluxcore so that is open to debate

 

[cumbriasteve]

My money would be spent on this one. More power and buttons to play with -> https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/mig151en-turbo-no-gas-mig-welder : £250 inc VAT.

Use it 'Gassless' when a quick fix to [insert broken thing of choice] needs a quick fix.
Deffo use Gas when doing the bodywork, and keep the roll of fluxcore for building a wood burner :/

*As your doing a mini you with be proficient with 'plug welds' by the end!!! Just thinking aloud that fluxcore may be useful for such; seeing as its one pull of the trigger to form the joint opposed to the 'Stop/Start' technique on 'runs', so perhaps the slag inclusions may not be a factor and hotter weld pool may be of benefit?
**Never used fluxcore so that is open to debate

Agree 100%, I thought that was the one I had linked to...had not had my morning coffee...that's my excuse

 

[cumbriasteve]

This is what I thought cheers Steve. There is Clarke and then there is "Clarke"

Very true but in fairness I have heard from a happy owner of one of the cheaper Clarkes but not heard any negatives, except I think that most of them have poorer lower amp settings than the originals.

So I don't want to judge them unfairly when I have no personal experience of them, time will tell I suppose as more are sold and feedback is forthcoming.

 

[Fossy]

So the 151en, is most of your all round choice then? I can't thank you enough guys, you have been a big help, I'm looking at the edge cutter, hole cutter to for the plug/spot welds,

Spot could you explain a bit more on what you meant may be of benefit for the plug?

You mean using it gasless for the plug welds may be easier because of the higher temperature and the flux core cools it better rather than having to stop start with gas?

 

[Spot the welders dog]

You mean using it gasless for the plug welds may be easier because of the higher temperature and the flux core cools it better rather than having to stop start with gas?

Plug weld/ spot weld/ rosette weld: similar processes; different names

It's a thought that only occurred whilst replying so please don't take this as me offering experience with fluxcore: I have none!
My thinking is: 'hotter weldpool' + higher wire feed speed = Less weld time concentrating on one spot.

Another bonus of having a duel machine is if you receive a free roll of fluxcore you can burn some metal as soon as its out of the box

PS: Steve has mentioned it before (RE Clarks) about the wire speed knob - Once you have found some settings between too slow and too fast; only then adjust in small increments to find a sweet spot. The numbers are pretty redundant...

Edit to remove repetition..

 

[Fossy]

Ok mate thanks, that looks about it,

Just one last thing, what do you guys use to cut car panels out and remove old spot welds?? And angle grinder?

 

[Jan]

For cutting rusted areas out of car bodywork you'll be better off with a cutoff tool. They are much smaller and easier to handle in a confined space than a full size angle grinder. Old spot welds are best drilled out. You can get drill bits that are designed for the job. They look somewhat like a wood bit and cut only on the edges. After use you simply grind the weld down to just the one thickness of metal.

 

[Fossy]

Jan, thanks for the tips,

Guys I just place can order for a Clarke 151en mig welder new shrouds tips wire and an edge setter and hole punch from machine mart for £15 delivery to the Channel Islands.

 

[octo0072000]

Fozzy as for welding gas you being the fireman a co2 fire extinguisher will work as if it has a dip tube you use it upside down as you want gas not liquid

 

[Fossy]

You know I never thought oft hat, but I thought an argon/co2 mix would be better?

 

[octo0072000]

argon /co2 gives a bit less splatter but much the same end result
but try it will save you some cash more likely to find someone that can fill co2 on the ireland of even a pub gas bottle must be pure co2 though some pub gases are not remember the regulator is different for co2 left and right hand threads

 

[Fossy]

Yep brilliant thanks for all the help