Is this a good buy? Clarke 150TE turbo for £213

[Goliath]

I need to get a proper welder as my gasless mig is useless. I want to be able to weld car body panels (maybe 1-2mm thick) but also be able to weld box section metal to make a car trailer (maybe 5mm thick).

My local machine mart have this welder on clearance for £213
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/150te-turbo-mig-welder

Do you think this is a good buy for me considering what I want it for? I will try and get them to knock it down to £200 :P

 

[keith19]

It should be fine at the price you quote, but like most of the Clarke hobby range it doesn't have much of a duty cycle at the top end, so if you will be using 5mm m/s you will need to pace the job, do short runs, setting up in between.

You may also need to do some edge prep on that thickness, as the 6mm quoted in the MM adverts is probably achieved on a vee'd butt joint with the m/c on a dedicated 16A circuit, at top whack for about 0.5 mins in every 10. Clarke tend to be a little optimistic in their estimates...

From what I've heard it's a good machine for hobby and home resto use, and will tackle most jobs okay. I have its cousin the Clarke 151EN, which can use gasless if necessary, and that's a decent m/c.

So long as you don't expect too much of it at the top end of its range, I would say the 150TE should be fine.

 

[welshpug]

if you've bought from them before make sure you get their vat free offer emails, that'll save a good chunk off

edit, missed that its on clearance, good price that cheaper than my 100E, though the price has gone up since my sister bought it for me.