Torch valve leak solved!!!!!!!

[redwine300]

To all you Clarke MIG Welder Fans. Recently had a leak in my torch trigger gas valve. After cleaning it I decided to dismantle it. Good job I did. To my horror I found a large burr in the O ring chamber area where the sealing of the gas flow takes place. This in turn had gouged the O ring severely causing the gas to leak passed at a high rate of knots. I did quite a bit of research before buying my first MIG and Clarke came out on top. Must make the competition pretty poor if that is the case!!!!! Very Disappointed

See Photo's Attached

 

[madkayaker]

time to go to MM and jump up and down!

 

[malcolm]

That's a bit rubbish. Is it a Machine Mart one? Point of sale is where you need to complain, and I'm sure they'll give you a replacement. Let us know how you get on.

If you get stuck or bored we'll probably be able to suggest places to buy a replacement valve - I recall they are roughly £20 as spares.

 

[redwine300]

Rubbish?? You're telling me! Had some interesting welding to do this week end on 300zx. Now I'm Stuffed. As you said, It is a Machine Mart But unfortunately purchased in Cardiff but i now reside in Coventry. Long Story. I think I have all the tools and replacement O rings at work so may be able to salvage the situation. Fingers Crossed.

 

[malcolm]

If you get stuck I'd be surprised if they would worry about you turning up at the Cov branch for a replacement even if you bought from a different branch. Same company.

Where is the burr? The little hole in the side?

 

[steve202]

I have had it with pretendy welding units. I have a SIP which i am going to smash to pieces shortly as i have been using a pro unit recently in work and the difference is night and day.

i will never again buy a hobby welder. they are just not worth the hassle and the makers shouldnt really be allowed to sell such sh*t.

 

[redwine300]

High Malcom, I take your point about taking it back but I feel it may be a lost cause. With that said I have replaced the o rings and removed the burr from the small hole so as to get me up and running for the week end. Cheers for the feedback though.

 

[redwine300]

Hi Steve202, Having looked more closely at my hobby Clarke since my valve problem I am inclined to agree with you. What pro unit are you using out of interest? I may have to consider selling my Clarke on and buying something with genuine QUALITY!!! myself.

 

[..DAZ..]

Ahhh, so thats what caused it. I also had a clarke mig, cant remember model number. It was atached to a large can of argoshiled light and when I got up the next morning I discovered why you need gas to weld. Luckilly I got my next mig very cheap and passed the clarke onto my dad who cant figure out why he is using so much gas I will have to show him this post and get him to check
cheers
daz

 

[madkayaker]

it good practice to turn the gas off @ the bottle to stop that happening

 

[steve202]

Hi Steve202, Having looked more closely at my hobby Clarke since my valve problem I am inclined to agree with you. What pro unit are you using out of interest? I may have to consider selling my Clarke on and buying something with genuine QUALITY!!! myself.

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Hi there Redwine. I have been using an old workhorse ProSpot 190. Lays down awesome welds. Good long torch and a very light trigger. Also a clamp that need two hands to open This thing has taken a beating in the past from shall i say unsympathetic users yet it still delivers.