what welder

[malcolmsmill]

ok.... I'm retired and poor health....

I've used a Clarke mig 90 with gas for 20yrs (not often, I admit) it's been good and used mainly for bodywork... only real complaint is the loading wheel on 0.6mm wire... its had 2 up to now on less than a 5kg reel used.

I need to get a new feed wheel OR get a new welder (why keep fixing if its not perfect)

I will get TIG when I can afford a good one (please camelot).. but until then its a new mig (if I replace)

but WHICH ONE..... mainly bodywork as the mig90 will be fine on thicker wire for heavier work if needed.

suggestions for me to look at... please

portability isn't a problem as I can no longer lift the one I have and its not heavy.

malcolm

 

[Robotstar5]

Stick with Clarke, they've got a good reputation as hobby machines on here. Look at a 135 or 150/151 but not the apparently cheaper, more powerful 145,152,196 models as they are built down to a price.

 

[cumbriasteve]

^^^^^ Agree, although why bother at all if your present machine is still working and as you say is a 'good' one.

The feed wheel issue seems strange, not a problem I have heard about before with the Clarkes, perhaps some more detail of how they are failing and members may be able to identify the problem.

 

[Jan]

My first guess would be that, due to the lack of frequent use, the welding wire might be corroding on the surface so that it forms a grinding powder that is wearing away at the groove in the feed roller. Second guess is that the wire might be of a variable diameter so that the thinner parts slip when they hit the roller. Unless all the rollers you have fitted are made from an unusually soft material I can only see one other option: The drive peg for the driven wheel is wobbling in its bearing.