Which of these Clarke MIGs for beginner automotive welding?

[iainel]

Hello all

I have been discovering more rust than I like to see on my project car recently and after doing some research and browsing this site I think I'd like to buy a welder and attempt to fix it myself!

All resources seem to point to Clarke for quality so I have been looking at their products. Despite most people saying "get the most amps you can afford", I was wondering if the Clarke 100E or Clarke 110E (unsure of the difference) would be more suitable compared to the Clarke 135TE because of its 6 settings compared to 4 and lower minimum amps for some bodywork I was thinking of attempting.

Thanks for any help,
Iain

 

[irondarren]

Just looked at both machine, they are the same price, except the 100e has 6 power setting, which would mean it will better in terms of being able to find the perfect setup for different thickness materials. Other than that i don't see much difference. Problem with machine mart is they just sell them, they are counter staff.

Send a PM to weldequip here on the forum and ask him the difference, I know he sells the clarke machines, the difference could be duty cycle but machine marts website doesnt say, he will know the difference for sure

 

[iainel]

That was along the lines of what I was thinking, more settings may be better for somebody trying to learn? Which is why I was looking at the 100E compared to the 135TE.

I've PM'd weldequip with a link to this thread and my question so we'll see what he has to say.

Edit: I've just had a reply - The only difference between the 100E and 110E is the colour!

 

[irondarren]

Did you ask him for a price?

 

[weldequip]

The 100E does have 6 power settings compared to the 110E's 4 which may make it a bit more versatile, but it's only really the case design that differs, all the main components are the same.
weldequip

 

[iainel]

Okay cheers so the 6-setting 100E would be better than the 4-setting 110E But would the 3amp lower min rating and 2 extra settings benefit a beginner over the 135TE (130amp) which I found for sale for only £10 more?

 

[irondarren]

Lower amperage settings will help when working on thin materials like 0.8mm sheet, obviously the 130amp is better for welding thicker material like 4mm sheet, it really does depend on what sort of work you are doing. If its only car body work i think i would opt for the lower ampage