hi i am new to this forum and would be grateful for any advice.i am currently doing lots of welding on an old mini and my welder an old sip migmate 105 is driving me mad,sometimes its ok then its just doesnt seem to want to weld smoothly.i have had this welder for many years doing car body work but have never been that inpressed with it,i am now going to take the plunge and buy a new mig welder but cant decide which to go for thinking either a migmate or clarke would prefer to buy the best for the job now as when my mini is done i will be getting a morris minor to restore so need a welder thats going to last and make welding more pleasurable instead of frustrating.all replys would be welcome regards Andy.
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madkayaker
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If budget allows portamig over Clarke any day. It's a far better machine thAt will last longer but not as portable!
cumbriasteve
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I have owned both, the Portamig I have recently sold, not through any fault of the machine but simply because I wished to do less welding, mainly for other people and as long as I had it I was being tempted to take on big jobs.
I also have a MMA for the very occasional heavier use.
I replaced it with a Clarke 135 for my hobby welding, fully aware it would not be quite as nice to use and offer slightly inferior welding performance..I was wrong, I think the Clarke is an outstanding machine and I produce welds no different to the portamig, in fact at times I find it easier to use on detailed work due to the smaller torch.
However I usually work with 2mm to 5mm steel, on car body thickness the lower range of the portamig may be of major benefit.
If you like quality, have the cash and want the best you can get for that amount of cash the Portamig probably wins, for a lot less cash the Clarke is a bargain and much better than many other hobby machines.
I also have a MMA for the very occasional heavier use.
I replaced it with a Clarke 135 for my hobby welding, fully aware it would not be quite as nice to use and offer slightly inferior welding performance..I was wrong, I think the Clarke is an outstanding machine and I produce welds no different to the portamig, in fact at times I find it easier to use on detailed work due to the smaller torch.
However I usually work with 2mm to 5mm steel, on car body thickness the lower range of the portamig may be of major benefit.
If you like quality, have the cash and want the best you can get for that amount of cash the Portamig probably wins, for a lot less cash the Clarke is a bargain and much better than many other hobby machines.
Much as Steve says, above. The only other m/c I'd consider seriously would be the little GYS Smartmig, in Weldequip's shop at the top of the page:
http://www.weldequip.com/gys-smartmig-162.htm
This looks even more portable than the Clarke hobby series, and has many settings pre-set at the factory, so giving you a head start when you want to set up quickly. There are one or two reviews on here, all good so far, I think.
I must admit I've been looking at it myself, probably just because it's the new girl on the block. But I'd never get away with it, as the missus would notice it's a different colour to the Clarke...
http://www.weldequip.com/gys-smartmig-162.htm
This looks even more portable than the Clarke hobby series, and has many settings pre-set at the factory, so giving you a head start when you want to set up quickly. There are one or two reviews on here, all good so far, I think.
I must admit I've been looking at it myself, probably just because it's the new girl on the block. But I'd never get away with it, as the missus would notice it's a different colour to the Clarke...
Stubradley1
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Much as Steve says, above. The only other m/c I'd consider seriously would be the little GYS Smartmig, in Weldequip's shop at the top of the page:
http://www.weldequip.com/gys-smartmig-162.htm
This looks even more portable than the Clarke hobby series, and has many settings pre-set at the factory, so giving you a head start when you want to set up quickly. There are one or two reviews on here, all good so far, I think.
I must admit I've been looking at it myself, probably just because it's the new girl on the block. But I'd never get away with it, as the missus would notice it's a different colour to the Clarke...
Youcould always paint the clarke to match....then in a couple of weeks hehehe
