new to mig, Please recomend

[halfashilling]

Hi folks, Only ever done the odd bit of stick welking but decided i should get a mig now as im looking at working on cars and other small projects. What do you recomend? i was wondering about the Clarke 150te, would it be ok or is there anything else better for similar money? I dont know that i will use it enough to justify hire from BOC so thought disposables might be a better opotion?

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome and yes the Clarke is a decent machine.

Disposables are not an option in my opinion, too costly and last no time at all.

Check the gas suppliers list, there are many other alternatives now to BOC, you should be able to get a bottle and gas from one of the independant suppliers that works out at roughly £1 a week for light hobby use.

 

[KICKSY]

Hi Halfashilling,
I have the Clarke TM welder, had it about a year and a half now. It's
brilliant If your going to use it to hobby with, cars, garden gates
and things then then go with the 10 or 20 LTR bottle from Adams, it's rent
free and a good helpful service.
good luck,

Dave.

 

[halfashilling]

thanks for the advice. I do like the sound of rent free gas but unfortunatly the nearest Adams is a 3 hour drive away. I had a quick look online and it seems there aint many gas suppliers in aberdeen?

 

[cumbriasteve]

thanks for the advice. I do like the sound of rent free gas but unfortunatly the nearest Adams is a 3 hour drive away. I had a quick look online and it seems there aint many gas suppliers in aberdeen?

Don't be put off too easily, there was none listed in my area at the time, I saw a calor gas sign and called in...the full range of gases was there.

Got a full size bottle of argon/co2 for £33 a year rent and £32 refill, that size could last a hobby welder a couple of years.

Worth having a drive around the industrial estates

 

[Engineer]

That sounds a very good price............where did you get your bottle, and is it one of those little DIY type ones around 3ft high?

 

[halfashilling]

ok, i now understant that the disposable gas aint really a worth while option. since the clarke 150 te is setup for the disposables, is there a better option for refillable gas for similar money? I have ahad the clarke 160te mentioned to me but they are not so easy to get now?

 

[shenion]

The 160TM comes with an argon mix reg for refillables and has a shelf on the back to hold the bottle.

Looks like weldequip has them out of stock until next week. Seems odd as he has never mentioned them being hard to keep in stock.

Another option is to use CO2. Usually can be obtained from pub owner or fire extinguisher supply places. Will need a different reg though as the fittings are different.