choices?

[IRN BAR]

Having researched this site and having come to the conclusion my sealey supermig 220 does not have a low enough amp setting (40amp) for car bodywork. here do I go now.
I fancy TIG but my gas won't do mig and tig.
Do I go for a low end Clarke mig and keep my sealey.
Do I sell my sealey and get a mig that covers thin and thick metals.
or do I go for an arc machine that Frosts are advetising that is supposed to do bodywork.

Any thought s please, depth of wallet always an issue.

 

[Wozzaaah]

I personally wouldn't use an arc set for bodywork no matter how good they're supposed to be. A mig is just so much more versatile. I'd keep the sealey and get a small clarke, something like a 110E would probably do you fine.

 

[shenion]

I'd go for the Clarke 130EN, some of the lower Clarke's doe not have many power settings.

Mine works great on smaller stuff.

 

[IRN BAR]

data plate

for weldequip

 

[weldequip]

Not the best for bodywork thickness & Supermig "220"; 40-170amps with "220 amps maximum performance" not even having a duty cycle rating...15% @170amps
Still, Clarke do the same calling their 150amp machine a '160TE'... great little set though & would perform better on the thin stuff
weldequip

 

[IRN BAR]

whats the price of the 160 I had in mind the 135, I would be willing to sell my other probably on ebay. I don't do much heavy stuff anymore, just want a good bodywork mig.

 

[weldequip]

The smaller machines (135,150TE etc) are supplied for use with disposable gas canisters & by the time you have adapted them for use with refillable gas cylinders you are up to the price of a 160TE, which is ready set up for use from refillables. All depends on anticipated work, if it's going to be very occassional work disposable canisters are fine, if you are going to be using it more regularly forget the throw-away canisters & go straight for a refillable cylinder set up
weldequip

 

[IRN BAR]

have pm you for price of 160TE

 

[IRN BAR]

weldequip

Last evening I mithered weldequip mad about my sealey welder and a possible replacement, what a patient man.
I had made my mind up to buy a clarke from him.
Today I thought I would have one more go with the supermig before ringing him, sods law, using info from this site this is what I did



the metal is .8mm galvanised joist bracket with the galvanisation ground off. The top picture starts at 1 with power on lowest and wire on 4. from 2, I increased the wire to 5. The second picture is the penetration. This metal is new, if I can get anything like these results on bodywork, I will stay with Sealey. My purchase of clarke is on hold, sorry Steve, thanks for the advice.

 

[IRN BAR]

whoops

this is penetration the 2 other photos are the same. To be honest it is difficult to tell which side is which.