First time for everything?

[Flat on my back]

Hi to you all, dont know how glad i was to find this site since i've been badgering myself to learn to weld for ages. Cant find an evening course near me for love nor money! Spent loads of time reading all the stuff on the site and now its time to spend some money and find out if i really can weld. At the mo my choice is between the Clarke 151TE and MIG160T to be used on cars and other things i find lying around that 'need' welding.

Comments and sugggestions all gratefully accepted.

 

[weldequip]

The 151TE is ready to use out of the box whereas the 160T will require extra money on a refillable gas cylinder, however, in the long run, if you have a fair bit of welding to do the 160T will prove to be the better buy.
weldequip

 

[Alex]

Hi,

I actually own a 151TE albeit not for long, so it may have some problems that I have not discovered yet, however it is a very good welder in my opinion with enough settings and features that it hasn't limited me doing anything so far.


The wire speed control has more than enough variation and power settings are adequate.

When you mention the MIG160T I assume you mean the 160TE. They both have the same current ability and features, only it has a different gas regulator. I think your decision really is base on whether you want to use disposable gas cannisters or refilled BOC like cannisters.


The 151TE is fitted out for disposables and the 160TE for Refilled bottles, hence why one is DIY and the other industrial.


I have taken a picture of what I did earlier today with my 151TE.

Its using Argon/C02 mix on ERW (1 1/4 inch equal hollow section 16 guage)

Hope you find this useful in helping make decision, my decision was based upon reading this forum.

 

[weldequip]

The 151TE is a perfectly good machine yes. I was thinking more along the lines of not having to spend extra on a regulator conversion up to refillables & the long term savings that can be made over dissposables. The 160TE also has a refillable cylinder carrier & is wheel mounted.
weldequip

 

[Flat on my back]

Weldequip,
the numbers i referred to came out of my Machine Mart catalogue, didn't see a 160TE but there was a 165TE? The only 160 was the EN which is convertable to gas but from the forum i think gas is the way to go for better and easier welding.

I know i will have to buy a few extras to get me going but i dont want to find myself upgrading in 12 months becase i didn't spend a few more pennies to start with.

 

[Alex]

160T, your right my bad

 

[Flat on my back]

Typos

Cant find many typing courses that take 38 year old blokes either!
er hummmm, not that that i've looked!

 

[weldequip]

Would you want to be typing at 38?! Far better stuck under your car with a Clarke 160T, which used to be a 160TE, and is identical but for the E!
weldequip

 

[Flat on my back]

Confusious says?

Errrr, yes but no but yes, er no, whatever?

I ask myself the same question many times, and get the same answer. Because 'i' want to!

P.S. that 'E' was an extra £45 and thats a decent visor, nearly?
Recommendations?