Which of these Single Phase MIG's would you choose for first time welder?

[Wallace]

I thought about suggesting the 160TM but the new price was a bit above your budget. I had a 230TE to sell for a friend a while back and I was quite impressed with it.

Does the gas bottle that came with the welder have any identification as to who supplied it?

 

[silverzx]

I thought about suggesting the 160TM but the new price was a bit above your budget. I had a 230TE to sell for a friend a while back and I was quite impressed with it.

Does the gas bottle that came with the welder have any identification as to who supplied it?

It's not a "TM" just a "T" which must of been replaced by the "TM" model.

As far as i can tell the gas bottle has no markings for supplier but will look closer tomorrow and report back!

It came with 1mm wire which I've used all of up, need some advice on where to buy 0.6mm wire and new tips etc. Cheapest ones on eBay ok or better off paying for branded stuff?!

I have attached some photos.

 

[Wallace]

Looks clean and tidy, is the bottle Co2? Looks identical to the current TM, have a look for a paper label that might have the manufacture date on it. I remember speaking to someone at the Clarke parts department about machine ages and as a "for instance" he quoted the TE and TM as being the same but from different dates/batches.

Torch spares here from Weldequip with a note about neck threads at the bottom but they look very much like Binzel MB15 parts if I'm not mistaken, an industry standard. Use good quality industrial spec wire such as Lincoln etc, you won't regret the extra couple of £ for the better quality. For home/hobby use I would recommend 5kg rolls as opposed to 15kg in case it goes rusty over time and you have to throw it away. Are you sure the wire fitted wasn't 0.8mm?

 

[silverzx]

Looks clean and tidy, is the bottle Co2? Looks identical to the current TM, have a look for a paper label that might have the manufacture date on it. I remember speaking to someone at the Clarke parts department about machine ages and as a "for instance" he quoted the TE and TM as being the same but from different dates/batches.

Torch spares here from Weldequip with a note about neck threads at the bottom but they look very much like Binzel MB15 parts if I'm not mistaken, an industry standard. Use good quality industrial spec wire such as Lincoln etc, you won't regret the extra couple of £ for the better quality. For home/hobby use I would recommend 5kg rolls as opposed to 15kg in case it goes rusty over time and you have to throw it away. Are you sure the wire fitted wasn't 0.8mm?

As you can see, definately 1mm wire!

The bottle Im not sure of yet, I need to have a proper look as I've only glimpsed over it.

Thanks, I'll get some 5kg rolls then!

 

[Cobbler]

I have a 160TM, & although Clarke quote 5 & 15 kilo rolls of wire, with a bit of fiddling you can use the 0.7 kilo rolls as well. If you remove the plastic roll holder off the spindle I think you will find the metal splindle is 16mm, the same dia. as the small rolls. It is on the 160tm anyway. With a few washers for spacers to make up the different width & your there. Although it's a dearer way of buying the wire, it may get you out of a hole on a weekend.

Steve at weldequip used to list a torch spares kit for these I think, shrouds, tips etc, he will know what you need as he used to sell them until recently.

Edit,
if the machine came with no instructions for it, they are available on here. Go to the Clarke section of welders & the top post is instructions for all their models

 

[Wallace]

If the bottle i.d. doesn't give you any joy a look at the regulator connector fitting will tell you the bottle type.

^^^Argon fitting regulator.

^^^Co2 fitting regulator.

 

[ukracer]

Just check out this before you buy. The great warranty and interest free credit means you can possibly spend a bit more. As its an inverter machines its easier to weld with IMHO. http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/welding_equipment/Mig_Welder.