jase"n"donnavan
Member
- Messages
- 11
Hi
Clarke welders are they any good...amd be honest
Thanks Jason
Clarke welders are they any good...amd be honest
Thanks Jason
- Thread starter jase"n"donnavan
- Start date
- Messages
- 17,561
Yes, apparently, although I don't own one! Smaller ones are very popular on here but when you get above 150A they're not rated very highly, mainly due to the fact that they're low budget machines. Anything 150A and below is about the best of the budget brands though.
shenion
Tool Pack Rat
- Messages
- 7,586
- Location
- Stone Mountain, GA USA
The Clarke welders are a forum favorite for DIY use. They are inexpensive, reliable and do a decent job.
The wire feed is not real heavy duty and their duty cycle will not allow production use. They fill a niche, above the bottom-feeder junk that does not work and industrial units designed for heavy duty cycles.
I have a 130EN and it has worked almost flawlessly for a year. I do wish I had gone for the 180 for a bit more umph
.
Search the forums, you will find everyone here likes them. They are as low-end as anyone should go. Cheaper models will cost you more in time fiddling with them, replacing worn parts and fixing burned out parts; a false economy.
PM weldequip, he sells them here. I would look at the 151, 160 and 180.
The wire feed is not real heavy duty and their duty cycle will not allow production use. They fill a niche, above the bottom-feeder junk that does not work and industrial units designed for heavy duty cycles.
I have a 130EN and it has worked almost flawlessly for a year. I do wish I had gone for the 180 for a bit more umph
.Search the forums, you will find everyone here likes them. They are as low-end as anyone should go. Cheaper models will cost you more in time fiddling with them, replacing worn parts and fixing burned out parts; a false economy.
PM weldequip, he sells them here. I would look at the 151, 160 and 180.
classic2cv
Member
- Messages
- 327
Hi Jason
I have a Clarke 135TE (Turbo) MIG Welder
it's a great all-round machine for it’s size
I have a Clarke 135TE (Turbo) MIG Welder
it's a great all-round machine for it’s size
Last edited by a moderator:
Superaquarama
New Member
- Messages
- 7
Clarke welders & reciprocal saws
Hi Guys,
As a newbie to mig welding, but having gas welded for years, I'm thinking of getting a small Clarke for doing (mainly) classic car work, as they seem to be the best of the cheapies.
I'm tempted by the gas-free types as the gas will undoubtedly run out at 9 in the evening when you've got just 1" more to weld and can't get any more, not to mention the expense of the gas.
However, it seems that a) it's difficult to see the job until you strike the arc and b) you get spatter. Am I correct in thinking that a) would be solved by one of those instant-dim visors and, if so, is it then worth putting up with the spatter in exchange for no gas ?
I had in mind a Clarke 110E or 90EN, anyone any comments on these for the work intended ? I favour these on paper because they can go down below 30 amps, which it seems is desirable for car work.
Another thing I need to get is a reciprocal saw. I'm much in favour of cordless stuff, but can anyone confirm that they're up to the job and maybe suggest a make or model ?
Thanks
Hi Guys,
As a newbie to mig welding, but having gas welded for years, I'm thinking of getting a small Clarke for doing (mainly) classic car work, as they seem to be the best of the cheapies.
I'm tempted by the gas-free types as the gas will undoubtedly run out at 9 in the evening when you've got just 1" more to weld and can't get any more, not to mention the expense of the gas.
However, it seems that a) it's difficult to see the job until you strike the arc and b) you get spatter. Am I correct in thinking that a) would be solved by one of those instant-dim visors and, if so, is it then worth putting up with the spatter in exchange for no gas ?
I had in mind a Clarke 110E or 90EN, anyone any comments on these for the work intended ? I favour these on paper because they can go down below 30 amps, which it seems is desirable for car work.
Another thing I need to get is a reciprocal saw. I'm much in favour of cordless stuff, but can anyone confirm that they're up to the job and maybe suggest a make or model ?
Thanks
