Clarke 102NG

[MrTibbs]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post, but I've been lurking for a while, trying to work out what kit I need.

I restore old cars as a hobby, and do trimming/upholstery on them as a part-time business. My welding needs are:

* Welding the odd bodywork repair (probably only outer panels, no thick chassis/legs.
* Making the odd repair to seat frames, attaching tabs to seat frames, repairing smaller parts like rusted out window grips, mounting brackets etc.

While I can do a lot of the smaller jobs indoors, I don't have a garage so would have to weld bodywork outside on the drive. I also don't have a lot of storage space in my workshop (it's already full of tools an upholstery equipment and supplies). And I don't have much cash really. I'm unlikely to do a lot of welding.

I've not had any training in welding, so will need a lot of practice (I have an old bonnet I can chop up and use for practice).

I'm thinking my best bet is for gasless MIG - no bottles to store/rent, which given I won't be doing that much would probably end up being not very cost effective. It'll also save having to try to set up windbreaks outside (I live in Sheffield, where it's very rarely still).

I know gasless isn't as easy as normal MIG, but perhaps the fact I'm learning from scratch might mean It's easier than re-learning?

I think buying second hand isn't a great idea as I've no ability to test second hand gear as I can't weld yet, so am likely to buy a duff one!

So...
I'd like some advice on whether the Clarke 102NG. I can't find any mention of it on here, but I think it's pretty new to the line up. Do you guys reckon this would be able to do the occasional bit of bodywork (using an ali or copper block as a heat sink where possible to reduce blow through), and tacking together things like seat frame tubes?

It looks like it has a decently low min amps (35), and goes up to 90, which I think will cover what I need. And it has the advantage of being cheaper than the other gasless Clarke welders. It can't be converted to gas, but then I'll probably never want to, given the likely cost in any case.

Any advice very much appreciated.

Thanks
Mike

 

[BoatBuilderDave]

I think the general consensus is that you can forget welding bodywork with gas-less MIG.
It penetrates a lot more - which for bodywork means it burns through.

This is second hand from reading this forum, I've never tried welding thinner than 1.5mm
Someone else may be able to give you first hand experience, but I'd suggest it's not a runner.

Dave

 

[Cobbler]

I think this is one of the new Chinese cheap range, as Dave says gasless is not as good, also at 35 amps, you will find this is very high for gasless, it burns a lot hotter that with gas, 35 amps is marginal for use with gas on bodywork, someone skilled would find it no problem but to learn without gas I think you will struggle. I may be proved wrong on this but I don't think so. I taught myself many years ago with a Clarke 100 with gasless, that went down to 30 amps, on most things I never got off the lowest setting, soon I changed to gas & it was a revelation,I could see what I was doing & its was so much more controllable.

Good luck with your welding

Cobbler

 

[MrTibbs]

Thanks guys. Having thought about it a bit, I think I probably am better off getting a gas/gasless unit. I was mainly lured in by the price on this one, but then this morning I got a VAT free email from Machinemart, which was perfect timing.

I'm now thinking about the 151EN. Seems to have a good range of power and the ability to use gasless wire if I want/need. Looks like it should be able to handle most automotive jobs - does that sound about right. I'll need to work out what to do about gas. Even though they're expensive I might start off using the disposable bottles as I'm not sure how much welding I'll do and to save storage space.

Mike

 

[Cobbler]

The 151en I would think is a reasonable buy, it's one of the original models & been on the market a long time, spares are readily available. The budget ones, as far as we can make out are made in China & as such are unproven as they are new on the market. If you look at the settings they they don't go as low as you have already found out. Look on their catalogue & any of the ones shown 'made in Italy' & you won't go far wrong. I have a 160tm & have been pleased with it, started out over 20 years ago with a 100en & used until recently but I needed a bit more oomph.

 

[MrTibbs]

Thanks for the advice guys. In the end I went for a Clarke 90EN, as it's a little cheaper, and i'm only likely to need to do pretty thin stuff (bodywork and the like). If I do eventually need a bigger welder I'll have to bite the bullet and upgrade.

Had a chance to do a bit of practice and it's going well so far - I've not been getting enough penetration which I think is down to moving the torch too fast (worrying about avoiding blowing through!). I just got a small disposable bottle to start off with; I'll see how much I use it before working out whether to rent cylinders etc.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I've not been getting enough penetration which I think is down to moving the torch too fast (worrying about avoiding blowing through!).

Practice on thicker material and then you are not trying to learn and worry about blowing through all the time, it won't show good penetrating welds but will make it easier to get the feel of moving the weld pool along, hearing when the sound is right and generally getting the feel for what is going on.

You will then find the thinner metal easier, you will have already mastered torch control and setting the machine up correctly.

 

[BoatBuilderDave]

I have the same welder, I also REPLACED THE EARTH CLAMP. Really, the existing one seems to be made of baking foil, cleverly disguised as steel. I also went for a hobbyweld tank.

I have a 151en, decent welder, better still with a decent earth clamp (supplied clarke clamps are weak), normal mig wire and either CO2 (I currently use a 2Kg CO2 extingusher I was given) or Argoshield light on the BOC hobbywelder deal.

Gasless wire is...horrible to use...smoky, messy and just a pain tbh (and I enjoy stick and mig)

if its windy...turn the gas rate up a bit to compensate..