Open Advice - cheapo or not?

[Heliart]

So, been thinking about buying a MIG since I had some welding work done on my old LR, and I was not very happy with the effort - and for what it cost I'm sure I could have done an equal or better job.
Plus, just really fancy giving it a go.

My problem is I have a history of buying a cheap version of something, then a few months later buying a much better spec of the same thing once I fugures the cheapo version was not what I wanted.

Anyhow, I want to buy a MIG first, then a plasma cutter.
Obviously been looking at the Clarke stuff, and funny, my mate has a VAT free card for the next week - so all very good prices.

For the MIG, I'm torn betweek a Clarke 160/GYS SMart Mig or something better like a Portamig 215.

Thing is, as of now I can't even say what I'll be using it for other than some chassis work on my old LR.

Would love comments?

Steve

 

[wombar]

Hi Steve,

First of all, welcome the forum

My motto when it comes to tools is: Buy once, cry once.

It's painful forking out for the expensive stuff, but I've never regretted spending the extra money on something expensive. I usually start with a budget, and end up doubling it (hands up anyone else who does this ).

I recently bought a Britarc 241 which comes out of the same factory as the Portamig. The dealer (wellyweld) is local to me, and I like to support local businesses. The Portamig would have been my choice is there wasn't anywhere local.

I don't think there's any wrong with Clarke machines (though I'm no expert), but the Portamig level machines were worth the extra money to me.

The benefits of spending the extra?

- Technicalarc gaurantee to supply parts for these machines for a minimum of 15 years.
- Reliability. These are British built machines that are well respected and have earned their reputation.
- Avoid Upgrade-itis. I'm not sitting here wishing I'd spent the extra
- It's big and heavy, so people aren't asking to borrow it

You don't have to use the welder every day or every week. It's like every tool. When you need it, you have it, and more importantly, it's good quality.

 

[GrahamGKD]

You almost seem to have answered your own question in your second paragraph? Can't comment on the Clark but the Portamig is a nice machine and build to last - widely respected by many members on here. Quite large and heavy though – and needs more than a 13A plug for the higher settings.
My old man taught me to buy decent tools and look after then - it's done me OK so far!

 

[cumbriasteve]

Well I have had the pleasure of using both, it's all true about the portamig being an excellent machine but I have to say the Clarke surprised me with the quality of performance, it's a really nice machine to use and lays great welds.

The portamig of course has lower and more variable settings but plenty of clarke owners have repaired and restored cars with theirs.

I don't think you will go wrong with either and it probably comes down to future use and how much of it you will be doing.

If you have the ££££££'s going spare the portamig wins, if you don't then getting a Clarke is still something nice to own and use.

 

[defender dan]

As the saying goes "buy cheap buy twice", however I bought the clarke 160tm from weldequip here, as it was in my budget & likewise I needed to do some welding on my land rover (also the whole reason I wanted to learn to weld rather than pay someone to do the job) with the benefit of the power range being low enough that I could also do the sill on my girlfriends ford ka. I hope that helps make your mind up, & that the clarke 160 will do everything on your landrover that you would need .

Regard`s, Dan.