Which blue Clarke mig?

[rich1608]

Hello from another newbie

I will soon need a basic but reliable mig welder for car body panel repair and possibly thicker stuff later eg suspension/chassis components. I've decided the Clarke blue models are probably the best for my budget but I'm not sure what minimum current is best for body panels. The '90' models go down to 25 or 24 amps and the more powerful ones stop at 30 amps. Is 30 amps OK for panels or would I be better off with a lower minimum current? Whether I buy new or used I'll fit a fan if it hasn't got one to improve duty cycle. Any help is gratefully appreciated! Thanks Richard

 

[Cobbler]

30 amp minimum will be fine, the turbo badged models have a cooling fan already fitted. Go for the biggest you can afford as you are sure to find other jobs later. Clarke say for the 150 amp ones a 16 amp supply is required, but they run fine from a 13 amp plug, but may blow an occasional fuse if used on full chat. They are just covering themselves.

 

[rich1608]

Thanks Cobbler, I'll try and get a more powerful one. This supplier https://www.tool-net.co.uk/s-10255/power-tools/welders/mig/.html is within driving distance and cheaper than Machine Mart.

 

[Cobbler]

Don't forget there are VAT free offers from MM quite regularly, when they come up people put the vouchers on here. This makes a significant difference to the price, I had a voucher emailed to me a couple of weeks ago, but it's out of date now.

EDIT One available in the social club section if your quick.

 

[fixerupper]

Yep I bought a 151en gas /no gas . I run it on beer gas and 0.8 wire ...it works well ,I made the steel shelving in the workshop,fix ed/patched the inner wings and floor of my pickup made bits and pieces ...and it's not the best welder that I've used but for a cheap welder it does the job... and I got free delivery to Crete .....jeff