Can someone explain Clarke model differences?

[samdale]

Currently looking at either 135te or 151te.

Both I assume are fan cooled and hence the "turbo" or "t" designation.

This is going to be for hobby/car/light use.

But then why should I buy a "te" as opposed to an e, en etc? Certainly there are cheaper models of equivalent power to the te range.
I've heard talk that some are older models and not cheap/Chinese built. I also can't see a difference between the 151te and the 150te that justifies the price difference other than a posh frock.

 

[Alister]

I'm no expert so when I was buying my welder I followed the advise in this forum.
The general consensus was that any of the Clarke range will be fine but the older range is better built, so if you can afford a few quid more it will make it easier for you to make good welds.
Don't forget to allow an extra £150 to £200 for gas and ancillaries.
Spend time searching through this forum, there are hundreds of threads like yours.

 

[samdale]

the older range is better built

And these can be identified how?

Spend time searching through this forum, there are hundreds of threads like yours.

I had a good search/google before signing up. There seems to be a lot of "I've got this and it's been fine for years" and not a lot of "I bought this 150A one first but wish it had XXXX like the model above it. I've now bought a different 150A one because..."

As far as I can see, Clarke do 5 150A migs which vary in price from around £170-£270. I can see some have less/more power settings and some are "Gas/no gas"
I can see me doing mainly gas welding but may want the flexibility of flux cored. Also, as it's only for light use, do I really need the improved duty cycle of a "turbo"?

 

[Alister]

Before I decided what to go for I spent hours going through the "Buying a Welder" forum, reading anything with Clarke in the title. Even after that I don't pretend to understand the Clarke range, but after reading through a car renovation thread where the guy was doing unbelievable work with a Clarke 150en I decided to stop sweating it and started looking on ebay. Eventually I found a 160en
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321539540034?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
No idea if it is an early or late range model but the price was good and the welder seems to work well, having said that it's my first MIG welder so I've nothing to compare it to.
Once I had the welder I tried it gasless and although it works well enough there is a lot of splatter and the welds are a bit messy. I then spent another £150 to £200 on gas and stuff so make sure to figure this into your price.

 

[samdale]

Right, my findings so far:

The young lad in machine mart was very helpful.

I've bought a 130en.

It seems the RED models with the STRAIGHT pull handles are the ones to go for.

110e, 135te and 151te are gas only.
110en, 130en and 160en are gas/no gas.

RED with BENT pull handles seem to be the lesser quality, models. 145, 152, 180 and 196.

BLUE seem to be a budget version of the RED STRAIGHT handle range though not really too sure. Apparently the blue range have a weaker feed motor which has resulted in a few returns due to burnt out motors when using larger wire spools. Blue was still advised over the lesser quality red range.
Torch quality was also different between the ranges

My findings are by no means complete and my advice would be to go in and look at them (wether buying from machine mart or second hand).

 

[DrDeAtH]

Now get welding and stick some pics up.
maybe do a mini review....a la doubleboost.....