Newbie with a Clarke

[Pavel]

First of all I wanted to say a quick thanks to everyone on here - I read hundreds of posts when looking for welders/compressors etc. Just only now registered as I didn't really have anything useful to add!

I've gone out and bought a used 150TE clarke Mig welder - appears in good condition, wire feeds smoothly etc.

Will be used for welding car bodywork and chassis bits!

A couple of questions which I couldn't find the right answer to!

1) I'd like to have some spare tips and shrouds around - anybody know what type I need for this welder, as there appear to be several versions around? I take it they just unscrew and swap over?

2) The welder came with a used Argon cylinder (dark green, collar stamped 1994) and Argon regulator. I've also got a Pub CO2 cylinder (collar stamped 1995).

I'm only looking to weld with CO2 - Can I use the argon regulator with CO2 gas (I suppose the more relevant question is - will anybody refill my Argon tank with CO2?)

Alternatively, do I just need to get a CO2 regulator and use it with my pub bottle?


What's the general policy on me showing up with a used, out of test bottle to get a refill - how much do retests normally cost?
I haven't got any friendly pub landlords so will have to start looking for somewhere that can refill my cylinders (or do an exchange on them) around the North Cotswolds area (near Stratford).

Thanks,

Pavel

 

[cumbriasteve]

The argon regulator will not fit the Co2, you may have to find an independant gas supplier and rent a bottle, usually cheap enough, about £12 a year and same for a refill.

Also doubt you will get the Argon filled, sounds like it's well out of date also, as is the Co2

You could give Steve a ring on the Weldequipe link at the top, he will know exactly which tips etc you require, he also sells decent quality Co2 regulators that fit the pub bottles

 

[weldequip]

Correct Tips for your model here Gas Shrouds here
You can buy adaptors to use an Argon regulator on a CO2 cylinder but they are almost as much as a complete regulator! (in fact you can buy el cheapo regulators for the same kind of money) + you should really use the correct regulator designed for the gas in use.