newbie clarke pro90 owner

[steveo3002]

hey guys

finnaly got around to buying a clarke pro 90...sounds like it should do what i need nicley ( car bodywork)

anyway...looking for any newbie set up help etc

the wire brake thingy..it mentions not too tight or too loose, how do i know whats just right

and for storage after use...am i best to completly disconect the gas bottle to prevent any leakage etc

any other tips welcome

oh and lol @ the face sheild ...omg its rank

 

[shenion]

You tighten the roller pressure just enough to feed the wire. Then if it jams, it will slip. Starting out you will probably weld the wire to the tip a few times.

It should feed well, but if you put the torch against a block of wood, it should slip.

Excessive pressure just add wear to the drive and will cause a birdsnest in the feeder if the wire sticks.

If it is disposables, then i think you are supposed to remove the bottle.

Yes, the mask is only there for liability. It is way too dark (#13). Get yourself an auto-darkening helmet. Will free up both hands and you will see much better.

 

[steveo3002]

so tighten it while pulling the wire by hand ? then confirm it with the nozzle up against wood?

i'll probably get a nice shield when funds allow

 

[shenion]

Mine was about 2 turns from full loose.

I just tightened till it did not slip then added about 1/2 turn.

 

[steveo3002]

what jobs would require the use of 8mm wire vs 6mm?

and when i need wire and small gas bottles , whos best value? are all the small reels and bottles universal or do i have to find a certain type

 

[shenion]

Metal less than 2mm works best on 0.6mm wire. 0.8mm for larger.

 

[steveo3002]

well if anyone is intrested i got the job done just fine with the little clarke

had about 5 small patches to weld into the floor of my car...i welded as fast as i could (regular fire checking ) and the welder didnt cut out at all

seems just the job for occaisional bodywork use

 

[dstealth]

pictures?

 

[steveo3002]

i got too carried away to take pics ...my work is nothing worthy of pics anyway

just posted to say the little clarke seems capable enough for smaller patch up work once in a while

 

[Mr D]

Same as mine ,and yes the mask looks like it is made from recycled bin bags.about the same thicknes too .
I broke my screen in the mask in the first ten mins of use so ended up not using it ! and did also find that it was way too dark anyway ! what # shade is best for mig ?

Oh and good luck welding the golf ! i got my welder to weld my mk2 scirocco gtx
metal is so very thin ! only burnt a couple of holes,down to not having the mask and having to squint at the job ,filled them up ok though and the patch is hidden under the kit,checked the other side of the weld and it`s penetrated all the way round

 

[steveo3002]

your from cambs too hey? could do with finding somewhere local that sells sheet steel in small amounts

it was a polo floor/jacking mounts i welded...didnt blow any holes to speak off really

 

[Mr D]

Sure am well St ives Area .Try Mackays in Cambridge, east rd near big newmarket rd roundabout ,car park round back They will have odd bit`s for sale cheap as chips.
Waiting to fit all new uprated shocks ,springs etc to my scirocco,that are sitting downstairs in a box at the mo,gotta get hold of a mate who has all the stuff to set them up after,something that is beyond me,not easy tracking him down though..
Then it should be ready for the mot just a few fiddly bits to finnish off