Recommend from my shortlist

[mikey72]

I've read the old blue machines are more reliable than the new red ones, so from

Clarke pro 90
Clarke 100e
Clarke MIG 151EN no gas
Clarke MIG 100EN no gas
Clarke MIG 105EN no gas

I want the gas kit with the last three, but like the idea of having the no gas option.

Main use will be car repair, both bodywork, and chassis, but anything else is a bonus.

Consider me a complete novice, so something straight from the box would be good. I did have an arc welder, about 30 years ago, that was passable, but not expert by any means.

Any comments gratefully received.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Chassis repairs? Only one of those machines has enough power, the 151, ignore what the sales blurb says about their capabilities.

 

[shenion]

The 151EN will do, you could also look at the 130EN.

 

[keith19]

As already said, it's got to be the 151 if it involves chassis work.

I've got one, and it's the best small hobby welder I've owned. The wheels are crap, so build yourself a trolley for using gas, and the earth clamp is nothing special and is best replaced with a heavier duty 200 Amp one.

Sometimes you wish the earth lead was a little longer, but a longer one with the small dinse plug is only about £15 or so on ebay, or you can buy a plug and make one yourself from old battery jump lead.

Oh, and you'll have to learn how all those flip switches work, because the manual that comes with the machine has got it wrong...
But the right sequence is on this site, just do a search.

Give it a try using gasless too, just for fun. If you get fairly good with it, it becomes addictive...