buying a welder.

[Bubba]

well im looking at a few different welders to buy as i have some pennies from xmas. theres a few that are in my price range (£200ish) all are gas / no gas but im not sure which one.

Draper 08165 (i know they make half decent budget stuff)

Sealey Mightymig 150 (im using a MM100 atm)

Clarke 90 pro (seen a few good reviews on clarke stuff)

Wolf 135 (on ebay seen one good review but a few people said go for one of the above makes)

i know the sealey one doesnt come with the gas setup unless you pay an extra £50, but ive got the disposable bottles and i can get a regulator for about £13 locally.

anyone had any experience with any of the above? or recommend any other good ones.

[Mike]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLARKE-MIG-WELDER-135TE-TURBO-/230617127151?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35b1da18ef

Ive got one of these ^ really impressed with it TBH.

Dont even entertain the idea of a "permanent" gas'less as there utter pap! Dont buy anything thats live torch either, there bloody lethal!!! (As in torch/electrode is always live wether trigger down or not!)

[Bubba]

i did see that one too...i might be able to stretch that extra £50 but they all seem to look the same, have the same power settings except the clarke 90 which is lower powered and apparently better for welding thinner metal and would do upto 4mm which is fine for me.

[MK999]

135TE or higher are easily about 2nd hand for that kinda money, my 160TM Cost £220 iirc and came with a load of regulators, mask etc.

[Mike]

Paul (Essex Paul!) was selling a 135TE a few weeks ago actually!

[Iain]

I'm sure you can get a Clarke 151TE for around £250 on a MachineMart VAT free day, bit higher power than the 135.

[Bubba]

250+ vat so 300...bit much tbh. im not really fussed with high power...since that burns thin metal lol

[bazil]

I have a 15 year old sealy 180 turbo, bought it for £50, works great on thin car panels and thick angle iron,

I had a small snap on one before but it was crap and kept on cutting out after long use.

[Bubba]

well managed to get a 151TE for £206 delivered off the bay as a reconed. just need an adapter plug as it has a caravan style plug lol

[Benn]

I have the Clarkes 90 its utter sh*te. Way to low on power to get good welds. Welding to bits of even thin metal togeher is a joke. Im buy a 151te on the next vat off day.

[Royston]

would aim to get @12o-150Amps

This is it, 240V gas/gasless, I use a small Air Products Bottle with Cougar 150Amps
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v697/1297cc/IMG00140-20100622-1910.jpg

I think this is an equivalent now, possibly slightly larger
http://www.cromwell.co.uk/KEN8801940K

[L14MNP]

Why do.people even.entertain gasless?! lol

Got a.Clarke 175TE thing here. It's OK, wire feed is a bit sporadic though.
I have my mates 185 Portamig too atm. Now.that's a MIG!