Clarke 151en - Euro torch Upgrade

[Maddog]

Morning all,

I was trying to make a pillar drill mount at weekend and was having a nightmare with my Clarke 151en, feeding issues mainly.

Its plugged into a 32a socket so there are no issues with power, new wire and TBH the whole machine has had very little use TBH. I was considering a Euro Torch upgrade. Can anyone advise a specific kit to buy/avoid? Ive seen some come with a gas solenoid alsi, Is this something that i would need and if so why? My 151 already has gas, but is it something different that is reqd for the Euro torch?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cobbler]

On the Clarke, the gas valve is a mechanical valve in the torch, a euro torch uses an electrical solenoid valve within the welder casing, so yes you will need a solenoid, otherwise gas will be flowing all the time. Before you spend a fortune on it, have you checked the liner, feed problems are often due to this, a cheap fix. Take the tension off the drive roller & pull the wire from the torch end, there should virtually no resistance, liners are cheap, or use curtain wire, it’s the same size & a lot on here have used it.

 

[Maddog]

Thanks mate,

I'll try the curtain wire method first.

Is it just any curtain wire, are they all the same? Do i leave the plastic on?

Thanks again

 

[Cobbler]

The proper liner I’ve fitted had plastic on, I think you will have to cut it off where it fits into the torch, but the rest should be ok. If all else fails, I’ve bought a complete torch & cable assembly from TechArc off the bay for about £20 that takes euro tips etc. with a gas valve in the torch.

 

[Maddog]

Thanks mate

Is this the type of thing you bought?

Here

 

[Cobbler]

Thanks mate

Is this the type of thing you bought?

Here

No, that is a euro torch, the one I had was a direct replacement, it was sold by Static Arc, not techArc as I thought. Found it just now, then lost it.

 

[eddie49]

The permanently-attached torches with a gas valve inside are known as "14AK" :

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Cobbler]

Found it now, there are several similar ones at about £15 upwards

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Maddog]

Thanks Chaps.
The tips look very similar to the ones my Clarke already uses. Whats the Advantage of these torches?

Are they just better quality and feed better?

Sorry, i'm a bit 40watt when it comes to welders. Id like to have a go on a properly well setup welder and see if its actually me or the welder (I suspect me TBH)

Thanks

 

[Cobbler]

If the welder is working as it should, it will probably be you. Those Clarke ones, although a budget range are pretty bulletproof. As I said earlier, check the liner, also if it’s old, the grease in the wire drive can go hard, making it stiff, check it & re-lube if necessary. It will go on for ever. Don’t use rusty wire, it wrecks the liner.

 

[Maddog]

Thanks mate. I’ll get some new wire too (and keep it in the house)