Clarke 135TE

[etlcsns]

Well after a bit of consideration I tooka trip to Machine Mart and brought home a Clarke 135TE, Took it out of the box, Inspected it then promptly reboxed it and returned to MM

I seriously don't know how anyone can consider the wire feed good, My old SIP Handymig is heavy duty in comparison, the feebleness of the drive was laughable, with highly flimsy and flexible plastic used so either Clarke are downgrading their Migs or they are seriously overated here.

So I would take a look before taking one home.

 

[Chris Stevens]

I last had a close look at a Clarke machine about 15 years ago, and they were complete crap then................the mind boggles to think they have become even worse! For beginners trying to learn using very poor sets such as this, is far more difficult than a better quality unit, but for someone who has never welded before this isnt obvious until they try something better.

 

[malcolm]

You'll find everything in that price range has a plastic wire feeder with small motor. If that's your selection criteria try looking at welders over £500.

Many MIGs in the £300 or less price range just don't work properly from new. The advantage of the Clarkes is they do work properly. That's why we recommend people with low budgets to stretch to a Clarke.

 

[etlcsns]

It is just that i have seen pictures of Clarke wire feeds and this was nothing like anything I have previously seen. just the very meerest of tension on the rollers and it was flexing. not even my Handymig is as bad as this thing

I could comment that it was the feed mechanism that SIP rejected as being to feeble

 

[shenion]

The Clarke feeders are fine. Mine had no flex on it.

I have seen pictures of early ones that had a small pivot. That did flex but was changed years ago.

 

[BChild]

The Clarke feeders are fine. Mine had no flex on it.

I have seen pictures of early ones that had a small pivot. That did flex but was changed years ago.

I think the OP is suggesting that there may have been some more recent cost cutting in the wire feed area - be nice to have some pics but he's taken it back now - anyone fancy a dawn raid on a MM store with a hidden camera

 

[dhutch]

I think the OP is suggesting that there may have been some more recent cost cutting in the wire feed area - be nice to have some pics but he's taken it back now - anyone fancy a dawn raid on a MM store with a hidden camera

Did anything come of this?

I have used a neighbours Clarke135TE on CO2, and while its prehaps not quite a nice as my EsabCaddy160 on argosheild, its a long way from comparing apples and with apples and in the hands of a amateur welder (myself) both produce a acceptable weld.


Daniel