help on choice of Clarke 150Amp

[Osprey]

Help appreciated from any Clarke Experts there … intend buying a Clarke MIG.

The size of machine I am looking at is the 150Amp range, with Turbo cooling …If I am following the Clarke range correctly ..
TE range would be No-Gas as standard (can be converted to gas – are conversions kits expensive?)
EN range would be Gas-only as standard (can be converted to no-gas – again are conversions kits expensive?)

Slightly confusing range to me ...when you look at the 150TE turbo … this one is the Auto Express Best buy … yet what is advertised as the ‘improved’ 151TE turbo … yet it is £10 cheaper …. Why would anyone buy the 150TE whne it’s improved model 151TE is at a lower price, ?
Then they have the 160TE again the same 150Amp ?

Can the 160TE be converted to no-gas ?

So the 150A choice is:

150TE, 151TE, 160TE
160EN, 151EN

Any suggestions as to if any are better quality?

My first job is all outside so want to use No-gas option initially and add gas in the future … is it better to buy a No-gas and then add the gas bits later, or buy a gas and add the No-Gas bits now ?

 

[cobminor]

If you buy no-gas you probably wont be able to add gas. Search this forum for Clarke and you will get a lot of info.

 

[Haze]

a clarke no gas can be easily converted to gas, best to buy the gas model though.

 

[cobminor]

OK I know very little so tell me about this conversion. I imagine you need a new torch as the existing one wont have the wiring in to switch the gas valve, and you need to fit a valve. Plus the piping for the gas inside the welder. Different wire rollers. Am I correct in my guess or is it really simple, do Clarke build this stuff in anyway? I am also under the impression that the gas mig only needs to have new rollers for the conversion, is this correct? Cheers.

 

[Alex]

Not sure that the rollers are different.

I would have thought

1. Need to fit a gas valve to the torch

2. Run 4mm tubing through hose to machine then out to reg.

3. Change polarity

Think that would be it.

4.

 

[shenion]

The EN models are gas (solid wire) or no-gas (flux wire). They come with the torch with gas fittings/valve. They also have reversible polarity.

The only thing needed for gas is the regulator and tanks.

I played with MIG flux welding, real messy, hard to see. I'll keep the roll around if I am outside. Gas is much cleaner and easier.

I have a 130EN and am real happy with it.

I have seen gas conversion kits for the Clarke TE kits; if I remember right they were about $170.

I would go for the EN model, all it will need is a regulator; that is often included as part of a package deal.