Clarke 145 Query?

[ArcticFan]

Hi guys, does anybody know why this welder seems to be so cheap compared to the Clarke 135te?, its the Clarke 145, which is dual purpose, no gas and gas.

The 145 goes from 35-135amps,
The 135te goes from 30-130amps so they're not that different, and the calculator shows the 145 to be suitable for 0.9-3.7mm steel, so ok for 1-1.5mm

The only problem i can see is that it doesnt list whether the torch is a live or non-live model, so can anyone confirm if it has a live torch, i wouldnt have thought clarke would do that??

Clicky Pics:


Clarke 145 £167.98
Clarke 135te £257.98

You'd have to factor in the price of the kit to use gas aswell, does anybody know what would be needed, and where from?

 

[Wozzaaah]

Because it's a cheapo Chinese one, not the usual Italian one.
The torch will be non-live on both, I don't think anyone makes machines with live torches anymore.
Gas kit is available from Weldequip.

 

[ArcticFan]

Thanks for the reply

Because it's a cheapo Chinese one, not the usual Italian one.

Ahhh, that makes sense

The torch will be non-live on both, I don't think anyone makes machines with live torches anymore.

Sounds good, i dont like the sound of a live one
but the 135TE details list thats its non-live but they dont include that in the 145 details, id have thought that would be a plus point?

On the clarke site the 145 is listed as new, so could they have dropped their quality to appeal to a cheaper user?

Gas kit is available from Weldequip.

Any more precise link for a kit suitable for Argon/Co2 Mix in Disposibles?

 

[Wozzaaah]

The welder will come with a disposable gas kit unless you choose an EN model.
I assumed you wanted to go down the sensible route of using refillables.

 

[Country Joe]

Sounds good, i dont like the sound of a non-live one ....


Any more precise link for a kit suitable for Argon/Co2 Mix in Disposibles?

Non-live torch is what you want, a constantly live one is a pain!

Here's a link that takes you directly to the items you wanted to see:-

http://www.weldequip.com/regulators-gas.htm


Like Wozzaaah says, disposables are not really the way, I only ever keep 'em for "emergency" use.

All the Best,
CJ

 

[ArcticFan]

Thanks Country Joe, i meant live, but typed non-live (now corrected)

yeah, i thought maybe using disposibles for a start, but they sound like £15 for 10mins isnt too good

The welder will come with a disposable gas kit unless you choose an EN model.

Its sold as non-gas so doesnt come with the kit or a disposable bottle

Ill look into a supplier of refillables.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Which one are you talking about? The 145 won't come with a gas kit as it's a dual-purpose machine, the 135 will.
As I said, the 145 is Chinese, the 135 is Italian.

 

[zx9]

................
On the clarke site the 145 is listed as new, so could they have dropped their quality to appeal to a cheaper user?.................

That echoes the view expressed by an independent Clarke reseller in South London, bigger numbers to look impressive but possibly lower component quality.

 

[ArcticFan]

Which one are you talking about? The 145 won't come with a gas kit as it's a dual-purpose machine, the 135 will.
As I said, the 145 is Chinese, the 135 is Italian.

Yes, i meant the 145 has no gas, or kit, or cheap hand held visor, savings all round.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Ahh, my mistake, the 145 isn't badged as an EN which their dual-purpose ones normally are.

 

[ArcticFan]

I Emailed Clarke yesterday to confirm it definitely isnt a live torch, they got back to me today to say it has a non-live torch, so good times, really think they should have included this detail in the description though, even if nobody makes live torch models anymore.

Thanks for your help guys.