Which Clarke welder????

[wildmanwolfie]

Hi everyone,

The time has come to buy my first welder. I have managed to get hold of a Machine Mart VAT free voucher so off shopping I go tomorrow. I have narrowed it down to a couple but would like some advice on which one would be the best to go for. The ones I have been looking at are both Clarke welders. The first is the Clarke MIG160TM (Turbo) MIG Welder and the second the Clarke 165TEM (Turbo) Mig Welder. Whats the difference between the two? I really want an all round welder that is good for bodywork and other projects but nothing really to heavy. I am totally new to welding but wanted to get the best available and have heard that gasless or the disposable gas bottles are not the way to go if the funds are there to buy something a bit better.

I have also looked at the smaller Clarke MIG Welder (Turbo) - 151TE but does this allow the use of the bigger gas bottles?

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Wolfie

 

[FranV8]

You can use any size of cylinder on any MIG - you just need the right regulator, then you just connect the two hoses together.

 

[wildmanwolfie]

Cheers FranV8,

Do the ones I have listed come with the correct gear (regulator) to attach the bigger size bottles though? And which one would be the best to buy for an all round welder?

Wolfie

 

[printcom]

I've spent a few years with a 165TE, it did everything I asked of it without complaint. For the price IMHO it is a good buy.

 

[wildmanwolfie]

Cheers printcom,

I'll go for that one then I think. What sort of wire size is best to go for? Not going to be doing anything big really. Max I would say is 3-4 mm thick stuff.

Wolfie

 

[cumbriasteve]

Cheers printcom,

I'll go for that one then I think. What sort of wire size is best to go for? Not going to be doing anything big really. Max I would say is 3-4 mm thick stuff.

Wolfie

I would avoid the MM wire and get some decent stuff, for 3 and 4mm I would use 0.8 wire but if you intend to work with thinner steel more often than 0.6 would be my choice

 

[wildmanwolfie]

Thanks cumbriasteve,

I doubt I will be going any bigger then what I said and mostly thinner stuff. Nothing major. I'll get myself some decent stuff so I have the best available to make learning a bit easier.

Wolfie