Clarke 135TE or 151TE?

[arh1a]

Looking at getting a welder soon for car repairs (body and chassis) as from the great information on here I have rounded it down to two welders, the Clarke 135TE and 151TE.

Is it worth paying the bit extra for the 151TE and from what I have read these are built in Italy so built with better parts, not sure about the 135TE though?

Im also starting to look at other bit I should get which so far my list is:

- Sealey Aviation Tin Snips Set 3 Piece Aviation Style Snips/Shears
- PWH599 - SEALEY ClearVision Welding Helmet Solar Powered Automatic Shade 9-13
- Clarke GWC-1 Welding Cart Trolley Mobile OR Sealey BTR4 Universal Trolley for Portable MIG Welders

If anyone could make any other suggestions to what I might need extra or better alternatives to the other bits I need it would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

Whats your budget, ?

 

[Wallace]

My choice from those two machines would be the bigger one, you will always find a job to exceed your welder then you can fabricate a welding trolley instead of buying one. A good pair of Gilbow tin snips will outlast all three of that Sealey set (Wiss copies) and cost about the same.

 

[Wallace]

Whats your budget, ?

I can hear mention of a three syllable machine in the distance.........

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

Yeh the bigger machine, will have have to work less hard on the lower settings aswell

 

[arh1a]

Thanks for the advice I will go for the 151TE but just to throw in a curve ball as my budget would be around £350 for the welder would it be worth going for the Clarke 160TM?

Good idea about making up a trolley would be a good first project. Are the Clarke and Sealey ones any good if I ended up just buying one?

Regarding the Gilbow tin snips would it still be recommended to get straight/left/right cut ones?

I’m planning on using Co2 and possibly a Co2/Argon Mix, but would be nice to try it without gas just to learn all techniques if it would be worth it?

 

[lazybones51]

Just bought a Clarke 160tm, not fired it up yet but looks like a fantastic piece of kit!

 

[arh1a]

Just bought a Clarke 160tm, not fired it up yet but looks like a fantastic piece of kit!

Sounds good. Can it run off the mains as forgot to ask if it can run off a 13Amp house mains?

 

[cumbriasteve]

The 160 is actually a 150amp machine, just a manufacturers naming gimmick to make you think you are getting more power, should be fine off a normal 13amp plug with a slight risk of blowing a fuse for prolonged use on full power.

 

[arh1a]

The 160 is actually a 150amp machine, just a manufacturers naming gimmick to make you think you are getting more power, should be fine off a normal 13amp plug with a slight risk of blowing a fuse for prolonged use on full power.

Thanks for confirming that just wanted to make sure.

So now im thinking should I go for the 151TE or 160TM? By the looks of it the 160TM wont need a trolly as it can hold the bigger gas bottles (and refilable ones unlike the 151TE which is designed for the disposable ones).

 

[lazybones51]

Thanks for confirming that just wanted to make sure.

So now im thinking should I go for the 151TE or 160TM? By the looks of it the 160TM wont need a trolly as it can hold the bigger gas bottles (and refilable ones unlike the 151TE which is designed for the disposable ones).

It will run on a 13amp supply. It comes with a gas regulator for full sized bottles and a shelf on the back. Much better than the cheap disposable bottles.

 

[arh1a]

It will run on a 13amp supply. It comes with a gas regulator for full sized bottles and a shelf on the back. Much better than the cheap disposable bottles.

Thats great, think im leaning towards the 160TM now especially as it will work on a 13amp supply. Is the 160TM build in Italy like the 151TE is?

 

[lazybones51]

Thats great, think im leaning towards the 160TM now especially as it will work on a 13amp supply. Is the 160TM build in Italy like the 151TE is?

I'm not sure to be honest, but it seems like a sturdy well built machine to me.

 

[arh1a]

I'm not sure to be honest, but it seems like a sturdy well built machine to me.

No worries just I read some of the Clarke models are built in China and have cheapers parts etc. Maybe someone else can confirm this?

 

[shenion]

The 135, 151 and 160/161 are Italian AFAIK.

The 145, 196 are Chinese.

I started with a 130EN (basically the same as the 135.) It worked well and I miss having a small portable MIG.

I went with a big MIG later as I often was hitting the limit of the 130. The 150A models would be a good size.

 

[Wallace]

Regarding the Gilbow tin snips would it still be recommended to get straight/left/right cut ones?

Here is a good YouTube clip about Aviation Snips that might help you choose.

 

[rob1234]

hi does the 160tm work with gas less wire ?

 

[keith19]

In a word, No. See: http://www.weldequip.com/clarke-160tm.htm

 

[arh1a]

The 135, 151 and 160/161 are Italian AFAIK.

The 145, 196 are Chinese.

I started with a 130EN (basically the same as the 135.) It worked well and I miss having a small portable MIG.

I went with a big MIG later as I often was hitting the limit of the 130. The 150A models would be a good size.

Thanks for confirming. Now you mention portable a MIG I’m wondering whether to go for the 151 as that looks a lot more portable and could always convert it for refillable gas (although probably wouldn’t need to take it to other sites much). Would the 160 not be at all portable? I’m guessing its a lot bigger than the 151?

Here is a good YouTube clip about Aviation Snips that might help you choose.

Excellent video thanks for the link. Think I’m going to go for the Midwest Offset Cutting Snips P6510 as they seem a good all rounder. Might even get some Edma EDM0101 : Monodex Nibbler Shears as well.

 

[lazybones51]

the 160TM is a fair sized welder and fairly heavy. It's on wheels so moving it about isn't a problem, I wouldn't want to lift it in and out of a car on a regular basis though!

This is a photo