I've done afair bit of research ovr the last few days loking at budget welders.

I've searched here and on http://www.mig-welding.co.uk both of which have given masses of info.

I'm now pretty sure i will be getting a Clarke welder as these seem to have pretty good press.

I am going to need the welder for a car transport trailer that i want to make for the MK. I may also use it for restoring old cars, welding fences, gates general bits and bobs!


I have got my choice down to 3 welders as follows:

Clarke 150 TE Turbo - £199.69
Clarke 151 TE Turbo - £223.19

the only adv of the 151 over the 150 it seems is an easy access door to change the wire? And it is in a red case?

Both of these welders are in the hobby range

In the prof range there is the

Clarke 160 T Turbo - £234.94

This seems not to be able to weld quite as thick metal (seems strange?) and i can't see anything else that bumps the price up a bit?

I'm not sure the difference between T and TE??

Any help with picking one out of these three?

Ive got a 151, bought it second hand and never had a problem with it. ideal for use on the kit car.

I believe the 160T comes with a regulator for big bottles whereas the 151TE takes 'hobby' bottles. Not sure about the 150TE.

Re welding gates etc, they say they'll weld 5mm but 3mm is probably more realistic. There's a good article on mig-welding about hobby welder capability.

i've got a 150, from my perspective its a great welder. I got mine VAT Free from machine mart when they had an offer on.

I think the 160 with the 'professional' torch means a torch with a 'euro' connector. If it does you can change the torch if needed in future without scrapping the welder.

Reality is 150 does most people but you'll need to build a trolley to move it around. Spend as much as you can afford and you prob won't regret it. (the diff between 150 and 151 is nothing - ask in the shops and they're likely to say the same so you're really looking at 150 or 160)

just thought i should say these prices are from my 2006 catalogue, there are a bit more expensive now.

looks like it is really going to be between the 150 and 151... due to price increases

[Edited on 9/8/08 by iscmatt]

do you have to buy now? Machine mart do VAT free days around 3 or 4 times a year.

(or they used to, haven't seen one for a while)

no, not right this minute, anybody have an idea when the next no VAT day is?

For £200 you could buy a TIG welder, Gas, Regulator and filler metal and end up with neater welds, and a nice tan....

I recently bought one from Germany on ebay for £140, and i love it. You can weld (not structurally) without any filler metal, and even with the welds are fantastic. Its easier to set up, too.

Im running on tiny little hobby gas bottles at £10 a piece at the moment, but im hoping to get an Argon Cylinder soon...

Around here (and most other areas too I believe) there is normally one at mid to end of October. I seem to remember one around April also.

The 150 and 151 look to have identical guts so I guess it is down to colour. I have just looked on line and the 150 is 99p cheaper, that might be enough to swing it for you.

I would have the 151, I think it looks more modern if you ever wanted to sell it.

if you're thinking of tig you do get nicer welds but .... TIG is less forgiving of the set up - ie you can have a less than perfect gap between the two lumps of metal with MIG and get away with it.

no, i'm getting a mig for now, thanks.

quote:

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Originally posted by MikeR
if you're thinking of tig you do get nicer welds but

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i bought a 160T about 2 years ago. was 234 quid then and does come with the adapter for big bottles. I use it constantly and have never had any bother at all. I was like you and was considering the 151 at 1st, but having used both i would recommend spending slightly extra and get the 160

here you go

i havent read the thread so might be completely useless

[Edited on 10/8/08 by eccsmk]

quote:

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Originally posted by MakeEverything
For £200 you could buy a TIG welder, Gas, Regulator and filler metal and end up with neater welds, and a nice tan....

I recently bought one from Germany on ebay for £140, and i love it. You can weld (not structurally) without any filler metal, and even with the welds are fantastic. Its easier to set up, too.

Im running on tiny little hobby gas bottles at £10 a piece at the moment, but im hoping to get an Argon Cylinder soon...

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i got a 205te and very happy.. good value imo

have a look at recontooloing on ebay this guy handles sealey's returns reasonable prices normally has 1 or 2 of the commercial sets having said that i've got a 150te not a bad machine
tony