GYS SmartMIG or Clarke on VAT free day?

[luegolover]

I need a new welder now having sold my last one over the weekend. I'm rebuilding a classic car so need to do the usual bodywork and some chassis work in the main.

I was set on the GYS SmartMIG and had decided to order it yesterday when a VAT free card came from Machine Mart. Now I like the GYS for two reasons:

1) Eurotorch (although I'm not sure why exactly)
2) Set-up panel (I have been welding for many years but am self taught and often clueless so the guidance appeals)

But, the GUS SmartMIG 162 when ordered with the regulators is £400 and for that on a VAT free day I could get a Clarke 175TECM. No Eurotorch and set-up panel but it seems more substantial. Hell, I've gone this far I could probably go for MIG205TE for £40 more.

Then I started thinking that this is ridiculous, I'm not the Bank of England so I could go for the MIG 165TEM at £330 and save some precious money for other tool based toys.

So the choice is:

GYS SmartMIG £400
Clarke 175TECM £400
Clarke 205TE £440
Clarke 165TEM £330

I now have a scrambled brain and would recommend some advice as I need to get this sorted. Recommendations please.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Or this one,a model that's been supplied for quite a while and owned by many, complete with a regulator.

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

I am not sure what the difference is with the TE machines but a lot of the newer Clarke migs are now chinese supplied which may not be as good as the older models have proved to be.

They all though are less amps than the model number suggests, the 160 is actually 150 and I think the 165 is 155.

 

[wheresmejumper]

the latest clarke catalogue i got says every mig welder they now sell is made in the E.U.
arc welders too