Another which welder question!!

[harvs]

Some newbie advice needed please!

I’m looking to buy a MIG welder to use to build a kit car chassis. I’ve spend a lot of time on this forum looking at recommendations etc , and am trying to decide between these 2 welders:

Clarke MIG Welder (Turbo) - 151TE
£299 from here: http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/151te-turbo-mig-welder

Sealey SUPERMIG150 - Professional MIG Welder 150Amp 230V
£255 from here: http://www.ccw-tools.com/product.as...ID=374&P_ID=2666&btnProduct=View+More+Details

The Sealey one includes a regulator which I can use on the big cylinders whereas I believe this would be an additional cost (say £30) if I bought the Clarke one (as the reg on Clarke is just for the disposables).

I’m leaning towards the Sealey welder as it’s c£75 cheaper for what looks like a similar spec – unless the general consensus is that the Clarke one would be worth the additional cost?

What do you think?
Cheers
Harvs

 

[shenion]

Check out the Clarke 160TM on weldequip's site. It includes a reg for refillables and the welder has a tray to hold the bottle.

 

[harvs]

Thanks for the link. Price would be £71 more than the Sealey - is there any benefit for the increased price?

 

[shenion]

The 160 includes a regulator, hence the price over the 151 (the refillable reg is considerably more than the disposable one. AT only £20 over the 151 price. It includes a support for the refillable bottle, you don't have to buy/make a cart for it.

You also get good support from weldequip rather than a box mover

 

[cumbriasteve]

Although I have neither of the machines you mention, from my time on here and what I have learnt..... if I was in your position it would be the Clarke from Weldequip, I bought my Portamig from him and I value good customer service even if it costs me a few quid extra.

 

[harvs]

Thanks for the advice guys - it is appreciated. I understand what you are saying with regard to customer service. I too am generally happy to spend a little more to get good service / support someone who has a passion for something etc. But £70 or so more is quite a large premium.

 

[weldequip]

But £70 or so more is quite a large premium.

Tis indeed, so you have to ask yourself what Sealey have skimped on to achieve that price saving

 

[mike os]

although it may cost more ( and ime capital purchases always cost more than you expect/plan/want) it is a long term investment...buy once, upgrade because needs change not necause it wont do the original job

 

[harvs]

Tis indeed, so you have to ask yourself what Sealey have skimped on to achieve that price saving

although it may cost more ( and ime capital purchases always cost more than you expect/plan/want) it is a long term investment

Indeed. If the premium can be articulated in some sense (what's better, what has been skimped on?), then that would help to justify the difference, but at the minute, I just can't see it....

 

[shenion]

Thing is the Sealy's have been hit and miss lately. They have come out with Chinese junk ones that are near useless.

The Clarke models referenced have a long history of working. I started on a 130EN ad it was a nice machine.

Not many here use the newer Sealy's, you you wont get much feedback on them.

 

[keith19]

If you can, check out the wire feed system on the Sealey before you buy. I used a Sealey Pro 150 years back at work, and we often had wire feed problems with it. Partly due to the hammering it got with different people using it, but partly because it had a plastic wire feed system. They may be better now, but skimping on a quality wire feed mechanism is one way of the manufacturer saving a few pounds.

 

[harvs]

Here's the wire feeder for the supermig...

Done a little bit of searching and it looks like most welders at the cheaper end use plastic feeders and liners. But the liners can be upgraded to steel which should improve the flow.

Update on prices - I've just received a VAT free offer from Machine Mart. How timely is that!

So, latest view on options is either

Clarke MIG160TM (Turbo) MIG Welder here
£335 less 20% = £279 and this includes the regulator

Sealey SUPERMIG150 here
£248 also including regulator

So difference now is just £31.

Decisions, decisions!

EDIT - actually the regulator for the Clarke is for Argon/argon mix only. I might be able to get a pub CO2 cylinder from a friend, so the cheapest Clark option would be the 151TE at £299 less 20% VAT discount plus £30 for a regulator = £279 still.

 

[gavuk]

I started off at home with a sealey 130 xt .and was very happy with it ,maybe i was lucky ?....I have used clarkes as well and honestly don't see much difference,but the the number of happy clarke owners here even I wouldn't gamble for £30....the clarke would probably fetch a better price if you decide to upgrade later on as well......buy the clarke

 

[keith19]

The Sealey wire feed pictured looks similar to the Clarke one. (A 160EN pictured here). The earlier Sealey 150, if I remember right, were white plastic wire feeds, and probably not so strong as the Clarke ones.
The Sealey 150 Pro we used ran fine, apart from the wire feed, but it was neither so 'soft' when welding at the bottom end on thin metal, nor so gutsy as my present Clarke 151EN at the top end, on thicker metal.

 

[harvs]

I've picked up the Clarke 151TE this weekend (£250 from Machine Mart with the 0% VAT offer) - many thanks for all the advice .

I've got to wait until my birthday until I can use it, but I'll be back soon with photos of some test welds for you to laugh at ...er.... I mean hopefully provide some constructive criticism!!!

Thanks again
James