Clarke Differences

[LikeNatureIntended]

Hi all, first time poster here

I realise I am probably going over old ground, but I couldn't find the exact answer so thought I'd start a new thread.

I'm wanting a Mig welder for bodywork and probably some chassis work on my Camper van. I've never welded before, but I'm well up for giving it a go

I've got a budget of £200-£300, and don't mind second hand, but the VAT free machine mart is tempting me, but I've been struggling to see the differences between the 151TE and 151EN apart from the obvious colour and no gas options.

The 151TE(turbo) at £259.98 - http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/151te-turbo-mig-welder

and the 151EN turbo No gas at £199.98 - http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/mig151en-turbo-no-gas-mig-welder

Is there something the extra £60 for the 151TE is getting me that I am missing?

I'm most tempted by the 151EN: I will add a gas bottle and regulator to the 151EN which should be plenty less than £60 and would give me the option of refillable cylinders. This would also give me a no gas option should ever the need arise.

Would anyone recommend one over the other, or a different welder completely.

Thanks

 

[Country Joe]

Hi there, and welcome to the forum!
The TE comes with a regulator, and has a slightly better duty cycle (@ 60 percent, anyway), so may have a slightly heavier duty transformer - although the difference seems to be negligible, and you'd need the "optional accessories" to use the EN with gas.

From what I can see from the front panels, the EN has what look like dinse sockets, which would make it much easier to reverse the polarity between gas & gas-less (flux cored wire) welding.

Other than that, like you say, there doesn't seem to be very much between them - but I could be missing something else, I suppose.
Lots of folk on here have them, and seem to quite like them, too - so I'd guess they're both ok.

If I had to choose, I'd go for the EN, too - if that's any help.
All the Best,
CJ

 

[keith19]

Hi LNI, welcome to the forum

As you say, the main difference between the two Clarke models is the sum of £60

There are cosmetic differences, like the 151TE has a cover with plastic bits around the end and looks more 'modern'; it usually comes with a small CO2 bottle and regulator for same; it has a hinged cover instead of a pull-up type.

One significant difference is that the TE has a rotary power switch so you can turn it to the selected setting; on the older model 151EN you have three switches to change settings with, and it can be a bit confusing until you get used to it.

Technically they are much the same spec; except that as Joe says the TE has a duty cycle of 60% at 75 Amps, while the 151EN has a duty cycle of 60% at 62 Amps. This means the TE can weld for a slightly longer time period mid-range than the 151EN, or at a slightly higher setting.

If you are just hobby welding and can pace your time, this is insignificant. In practice it means you might get 7 minutes welding in every 10 mid-range, compared to 6 minutes in every 10 with the 151EN. As most hobby welders repairing cars etc will only be actually welding about three minutes in every ten, with the rest of the time spent getting the job ready or cleaning up, you can see why this isn't that important.

The TE has an Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) of 18-28 volts, which might possibly be better on thin steel than the 151's OCV of 21-32 volts, at least for somebody starting out. (Experienced welders just compensate with different technique, usually without even noticing).

On the downside, the TE cannot handle gasless wire, so any work outside in windy weather has to be well protected. (Not that gasless is brill at car repairs, but it can help you get outside jobs finished that would otherwise hang about for calmer weather).

Gasless is also good for metalwork repairs on garden gates and fences etc, you don't need to lug a great bottle down the garden to do a bit of rough welding.

I have a 151EN and find it a good reliable hard-working little machine. If it had a rotary power switch it would be even better.

But you will have to get a proper gas regulator kit
http://www.weldequip.com/argonmix-conversion-kit.htm
with either model if you want to use large bottles, as the halfrauds mini bottles only last a few minutes, perhaps six minutes welding if you're lucky.