wolf 140 professional vs clark 135te

[rustydreamcast]

Sorry another new guy trying to get my head round the dreaded what to buy maze

I'm looking to learn the dark art of welding to extend the life of bangers my dream goal if I get any good would be ( don’t laugh ) to do a TR7 restoration.

I drive my family mad as can buy new but always mend and make do and will always buy the tool and do myself rather than pay someone if I can help it.

with my eye on Thin metals I and a sub £400 set up budget I was looking at the clarke 135te
https://www.tool-net.co.uk/p-345793...LiuHViN1-7FCCd3xFS4dAmDrp1A_dZGxgzBoCiffw_wcB


but there is the wolf 140 also

http://www.ukhs.tv/Workshop/Welders/Combination-Gas-No-Gas-MIG-140-Welder-and-Kit_2

I plan to use a full size bottle at home to there is the added cost of regulator gloves and mask.

but for potability the added use of smaller bottles could be good

any thoughts would be welcome

thanks

 

[rtbcomp]

Welcome to the forum.

Clarke machines are popular on here as entry-level machines, the Wolf may be a bit of an unknown.

Regarding bottles, I'm not sure what you mean by "small", but if you're referring to the disposable ones, bear in mind you'll get about 10 minutes welding time from them. "Pub" size CO2 bottles are portable enough.

 

[tazz]

itll cost u an arm n a leg if u use them little things boss i dont even no why they bother selling them , like rtbcomp says pub size bottle ;}

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome to the forum:

My opinion is Clarke beats Wolf hands down, next step up without big spends would be the GYS brand.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I think it's well known I'm not exactly a Clarke fanboi, but in this instance if I had to choose 'twixt them - Clarke wins hands down.

But, have a look in the 'for sale' section here - a ryval for 200 quid - it'd wipe the floor with both of those linked

I never knew you disliked Clarkes

However, I did not know about that Ryval... a good machine from a straight up guy... snatch his hand off before someone else does, it's 50amp bottom setting but should imagine will be smoother and little difference in thin metal ability as Clarkes 30 amp.

 

[HughF]

But seriously, if that ryval accepted 15kg spools I'd be on it already...

Do you do 'that' much welding that it's worth discounting it? It is bargain machine...

 

[rustydreamcast]

I'm interested one question though says lowest setting on MIG is 50 A thought you needed to be down in the 30A range for car body work

 

[Wozzaaah]

50A is too high for car stuff.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Challenge what you like.
Speaking from experience 40A and above is hard work on thin stuff.

 

[rustydreamcast]

Just to follow up just picked up a Clarke 135te from eBay seller says used once for £165 inc self darkening mast

Its in my boot as I type can say from the condition looks new

Hoping have a bargain