New toy -woo!

[Ouch]

Finally done it, after months of faffing and near-misses on ebay, I picked up a fairly tidy looking Clarke 100EN second hand for less than a full tank of petrol.

The next bit of fun will be converting it to gas, though I've enough gas-less wire to go into business (assuming it doesn't un-reel itself all over the boot of my car). Any advice or tips? Was just thinking of wandering into Machine-Mart and asking for the 'right bits to make it work'..

The sad thing is I don't know when I'll get a chance to play with it, as work is 150% at the moment (nobody told our customers there's a recession brewing).

Still one step closer and all that. I'll be back soon with tales of pigeon poo, spatter and blowing holes in stuff I'm sure..

 

[English Steve]

Weldequip on this forum will be able to supply the bits you need to convert to gas, and offer good advice also. Send him a PM.
MM can probably also supply the parts, but you won't get the good advice or such good service (in my opinion).

 

[bucko]

no if i'm honist i don't have an hi opinon of MM they are good if you kno what you whant but enything els and your stuck dont kno what the one near you is like thow thats defantly the case of the one in hanley staffs, last time i went in i was argueing what tips i need for a 160T and guess who was right

 

[Ouch]

So far I can't say I've had that bad an experience from MM. I usually know what I want, but this afternoon I picked up a gas reg and a chuck-away bottle from the cardiff branch, and the fella there was helpful as you like.

 

[bucko]

just my luck i probly got the guy who was haveing a bad day lol

 

[Ouch]

Had a bit of a play this evening.. putting blobs on a few nuts and stuff I found in the garage. Must say this gasless mullarky is comes out tidier than I'd expect. Will try again with some thin sheet when I've got the patience to strip the paint off my stash.

Can't see sod-all through my vintage helmet though, what with 20years of spatter on the glass an all. Will be putting a new helmet on my christmas list.

Found a bit missing on my cheapy second hand welder though, the gas hose from the handle to the chassis, there's a tiny bit of some chewed up looking plastic at the chassis end of the hose, and no sign of anything at the handle so I won't be playing the gas game for a bit until I can source a replacement.

Still, there's plenty for me to set fire to using the gasless setup in the meantime.

 

[bucko]

iv just tried sparking up my new gasless and it hasnt gone well

 

[buddy67]

100en gasless

I have had my 100 for several years and never used the gas setup. I have had good luck with it until now, and the only thing wrong is i need a liner. It seems Clarke don't like to answer their emails (sent 3). I was a welder for about 25 years and for home use this works for me.