Clarke pro 90 free to a good home.

[RogerTram]

Hello everybody just wondered into this forum I've been reading it a while. Recently I replaced my old welder with a snazzy Clarke 180 turbo. Its the most powerful unit I have ever used so its like welding with Zeus's finger. So that means my old battered Clarke pro 90 is surplus to requirements. Electrically its all working fine just needs a few replacement consumable torch parts and liner which I can't be bothered putting in it as I really wanted a more powerful unit. So the Clarke pro 90 is going free to a good home I don't want to throw it out as it might be battered and rusty but might still be useful to a beginner. I'm based in Mirfield West Yorkshire if anybody wants to collect it from me send me a PM.

Cheers

Richard

 

[Jester]

Welcome to the group.
Very nice gesture, which I'm sure someone will be able to make good use of.

 

[Robotstar5]

Welcome to the forum, offers like that are normally taken within minutes, I must be the only one working nightshift

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome to the forum and I also agree the freebie is a nice offer that will help someone.

I am sure other future possible owners would love a good full review of the Clarke 180, what it's like on thin metal, the wire feed etc, and even pictures of welds if possible, it is a size of machine that many would think ideal for a range of work.

Is it one of the newer Clarke machines? has a range of 40 to 160amps?

 

[RogerTram]

Hiya everybody thanks for the welcome. Am kind of one of the hording types so to throw out a welder that can be fixed up when somebody in my situation when I first got it can make use of it feels like a waste. Regarding the Clarke Mig 180 (40-160amps) I am rather impressed but as of yet just done a few gasless test welds to see what the settings are like on a bit of 4mm steel. Overall it looks like a nicely made machine both inside and out. The torch is not like what is pictured on the box but is some what better quality with a large bore but short length brass coloured shroud. It takes M6 tips and comes with two 0.8 and one 1.0 in the box. Inside the welder cabinet they have opted for an all metal 120mm mains powered co-axel fan instead of the cruddy microwave type thing so it’s rather loud when powered up but move’s some good air. Also it as a gas solenoid at the back of the case instead of the manual valve in the torch and bottle shelf with some U clamps which hold a throw away bottle nice and tight.
Wire feed is smoother than I expected but could do it go up a couple of notches faster as at max amps with 0.8 gasless wire the knob is turned all the way to max. But saying that compared to what I have used in the past it’s far superior. Out of the box it comes with a smooth U groove wire roller that seems to grip the wire am using without excessive pressure and I can set it to slip just right.
Welding quality am quite happy with and I can lay down a bead of weld at a lighting quick pace. I’ve not tried it on thin metals yet but on a sheet of 4mm it burned through on the first test weld at max amps and at the lower settings penetration still seemed very good. I plan this weekend to make up some overly engineered gate posts the original reason for getting the 180. The metal am using ranges from 4mm to 10mm plate so weather permitting I will get some pictures of the welds. But this afternoon I will get it out and take a few pictures of it for people to see what the unit is like.
Finally a question when I got it out of the box it came bare wired with no plug is this normal? It did not bother me as in intended to fit it with a 16amp C from plug anyway as it will be living on its own self in the garage with its own 16amp socket.

 

[Robotstar5]

Finally a question when I got it out of the box it came bare wired with no plug is this normal? It did not bother me as in intended to fit it with a 16amp C from plug anyway as it will be living on its own self in the garage with its own 16amp socket.

Yes that's normal as manufacturers have to cover themselves, most welders in that range will work quite happily off a 13A plugtop and will only pop the fuse on long max power runs with no harm done, just replace the fuse.

 

[RogerTram]

Heres some pictures of my Clarke Mig 180's bits and bobs if anybody would like to have a gander.

Clarke 180 pictures.

Yep am a sheep a real big sheep.

 

[RogerTram]

Cheers Robot I had an idea that it was a fit what you require kind of thing. I was just bothered that it was a factory return or some thing when I saw it. All good now I've fitted a C form 16amp and made up a C form to 13amp adapter with a high temp 13amp plug.

 

[logrod]

PM sent if it isn't already gone. Fels cheeky for my first post after lurking on here for so long but would like something to practice with and see whether I'm really into MIG before I invest seriously.

 

[RogerTram]

Yes I still have the welder on offer Logrod I will send you a PM.

 

[RogerTram]

The offer as now been taken. The Clarke 90 now as a new home. And it was nice meeting Mr logrod great bloke I hope its serves him well.

 

[logrod]

Thanks to RogerTram. The Clarke 90 has been cleaned up, liners, tip, plug and shroud replaced and is working! I might even post some pictures of a weld when I can do something that deserves the name.

 

[RogerTram]

Ah thats grand Logrod told you it would not take much to get running. Also if you have not already got it here's the instructions on how to work the thing.

Mig pro90