Clarke 160TM Advice

[adeparko]

I'm in the process of replacing my tools for new ones, and top of my list is a welder

I've been lurking around and reading the forum for help, and on investigation and recommendations, I've decided to buy a Clarke 160TM

I'm still a bit of a beginner welder, been using a clarke gas/no gas I was given second hand in the past on the small bottles

So this is the welder I'm thinking of getting:

http://www.weldequip.com/clarke-160tm.htm

This the gas that I'm thinking of getting as they are on the same indutrial estate I work on:

http://www.hobbyweld.co.uk/default.php?page=35

As majority of my work will be on cars, so should be under 5mm

Next on my list is which regulator to get? As with the small bottles on my previous welder, I struggled on getting good flow. Can anyone confirm if the regulator below will fit the bottle hobbyweld bottle and allow for setting flow rate as well as bottle pressure?

http://www.weldequip.com/argon-regulator.htm

Other than that, I have an auto-dimming mask, gaunlets, etc.. so is the only other thing I need to buy a spool of wire to get me going?

Many thanks

Ade

 

[cumbriasteve]

No need to purchase a regulator, that machine comes with a good quality one included in the price.

If you have any doubts just give Steve a ring and mention which bottle you intend to use when you buy the machine..he will sort it no problem.

 

[weldequip]

Standard regulator with the 160TM just has the one pressure gauge fitted to show cylinder contents. It will fit the Hobbyweld type gas cylinders. They are not the best quality in the world, but do the job. Save shelling out on another regulator, the easiest way to set working pressure accurately is with one of these fellas:

 

[adeparko]

Thanks for the replies

The hobbyweld cylinders are £75 for the first one, and then £25 a refill

There is also an Adams Gas dealer near by, which states as BOC style regulator fitment, but costs £91 for the first one, and then £36 a refill

Is this likely to be better quality than the Hobbyweld? and is it worth the extra money?

I also saw the flow tester on your website for £7.50, but that just adds something else that I will put down and forget where I've put it lol

I know I dont need to purchase an additional regulator, but if I did by the argon regulator (http://www.weldequip.com/argon-regulator.htm), does this come with the additional gauge for setting work pressure? and will this fit the Hobbyweld cylinders, and work with the Clarke 160TM?

Thanks again

Ade

 

[weldequip]

The gas mixes should be the same (you want 5% mix).
You would need a conversion pipe with the regulator as the gas pipe on the back of the 160TM is micro bore; this type of set-up:

One gauge tells you the cylinder contents pressure, the other to set the working pressure; much nicer quality than the standard Clarke regulator too

 

[adeparko]

Brilliant

If I go for the Hobbyweld cylinders as below, am I better buying the regulator with the side entry?

Thanks

Ade

 

[weldequip]

Yep.

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

Youe from the Edinburgh way, there is an Addams gas near you you can get 200 bar fills from them not 137!

 

[adeparko]

I noticed theres an Adams Gas dealer Dalkeith way. I assume you can collect rather than paying the £10 charge stated on the website?

Whats the initial and refill price of the 200bar cylinder?

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

not sure mate, i live in stirling, and travel to the borders at the weekend, i just get my gas from BOC, im sure is dearer than hobby weld but you get better value for money

 

[arh1a]

I’m about to get the 160TM as well but didn’t give the regulator much thought so glad I saw this thread. I will definitely be getting WESCOL Regulator be it top feed or side feed (haven’t decided on gas supplier yet). How does the nickel plated brass connection connect to the micro bore?