I'm Amazed!

[tux]

For the last 10 years I've been bodging bits of metal together (you'll note I didn't say welding!) with a Clarke 90 gasless welder. The results were always, at best, disappointing. Things improved a little when I bought an auto-darkening facemask, but were still never brilliant.
Its my birthday this week and my 2 brothers have clubbed together and bought me a Clarke 151TE. Cheers dudes! I promptly jumped on the Volkszone gas offer bandwagen and collected a bottle of Argoshield Light this morning. I spent a couple of hours this afternoon practicing with scrap metal in the garage and the difference is truly stunning! I can actually weld as opposed to sticking bits of steel together! Still an awful lot of practicing and learning to do yet of course, but the boost to my confidence is huge. I is a happy bunny!
Why oh ehy didn't I do this years ago?!

 

[pidgeon chit welder]

All together
Happy birthday dear Tux ,
Happy birthday dear Tux.
Now your weldin much beta,
Appy birfday dear Tux

 

[Debs.]

A bodger no more; a welder for sure!

 

[Porschemaniac]

Nice one Tux - and happy birthday.

I too spent many years sticking random blobs of steel to adjoining sheets of metal with a SIP HandyMate Gasless. Until, one day, I shelled out on a Clarke 150TE (same as yours, I think - just a different case). The difference was astounding.

These Clarke sets are, in my humble opinion, great value for money and, with a little skill, give great results.

I think we all get used to what we've got and justify not spending money that we think is 'unnecessary'. But when we do shell out a few quid on something better, we all have those 'Eureka' moments.

Cheers,

Ian.

 

[Spud1985]

ive only used the clarke mig i was given once so far but ive got to say i wish id bought one years ago loads easyer than arc even though im quite good at that even if i say so myself lol

 

[tux]

Thanks guys and gals. It really was one of those "eureka" moments and the warm rosy glow and ear to ear grin I got was brilliant.

Thats a nice looking early '44 you have there Porschemaniac, loving the pascha and script seats. Looking to upgrade to one myself in the not so distant future, but still driving a toofah for now.