Clarke welders

[Beowulf 87]

Hi all. I am seriously thinking of getting a new mig welder. I hear a lot of people deride Clarke welders. I have had my budget 90 mig for 20 years and it's never really let me down. The only thing I don't really like is the wire feed which is not too smooth although it tends to give good results. I am looking at a Clarke 205TE turbo. Why do you not like Clarke? Is it reliability? Build quality? Just need to know really - come on, change my mind (I really want to buy new btw not second hand).

[RichardJ 59]

I've got a clarke 151te in my shed.

It's a good hobby welder - never let me down in the 10 years I've owned it and is versatile enough to do stainless and mild steel upto about 4mm thick (it's "meant" to be able to go upto 6mm but doubt it could without some aggressive chamfering).

 

It's got a metal liner for the wire feed and gun, so has lasted well. The only problem I've had with it is the end of the gun is know knackered due to my poor welding technique.

 

At the end of the day it's a cheap and cheerful made-in-China job, probably not good enough for professional use, but works well for home exhaust pipe welding and odd fabrication jobs.

[Danish 294]

I used have a Clarke 3-phase^[1] stick welder - I couldn't fault it, but a bit of a different beast to what you're talking about.

 

 

 

^[1] but could be switched over to 32A single phase.

Edited September 2, 2017 by Danish

[buzzard 13]

151 te is what I have to . I've owned now well over 10 years . Done massive amounts of welding with it with no problems . :thumbup:

[Colr6 16]

I had a 165 for years, put a good quality liner in never any problem. It got thrown about rained on, suffered flooding still worked. Spent £1500 on an Esab and to be honest the Clarke welded better at low settings.

[Tigdlo 27]

I have had my Clarke 120e mig welder for around 25 years, and have done hours and hours of welding with it, a lot of it outdoors. The only part I've replaced is the liner. I was thinking of buying a new welder, but I'm reluctant to pay out for something that may be inferior, especially while my 120e is still working perfectly.

[Duke Blues 15]

I used a Clarke welder when i restored my car without any real issues.

I haven't used other welder's so i can't compare but i was happy enough with it.

[Beowulf 87]

Good to hear some good comments about Clarke welders so unless someone comes on and says different looks like it's a go :)

[gheebhow 4]

I have a 135TE and have used it on bodywork up to 1mm - it has been great so far. Not tried any heavier gauge metal yet though I think it would be fine as I've been doing the bodywork on the lowest setting. It plugs into a 13A socket which is handy. The only thing is I wish it had a bit more flexibility with the power - it has 2 switches which you can use in combination but nothing in between.

[Ghiahead 6]

I have a R-Tech Mig 180 and love it.

The customer service from the company is outstanding and has pretty good reviews.

 

http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/mig-welder-r-tech-i-mig180/

 

If search "doubleboost rtech 180 review" on youtube, he has reviewed the welder and gives it the thumbs up.

 

The price is similar to the Clarke and maybe a touch cheaper. They also do deals on their Ebay shop where you can pick up a demo model cheaper too at times.

[Jono74 0]

I have a Sealey 150 amp mig, it's rubbish, spend more time working on it the welding the car. Clark might be an up-grade.

[Beowulf 87]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="Ghiahead" data-cid="662421" data-time="1505822999"><p>

I have a R-Tech Mig 180 and love it. <br />

The customer service from the company is outstanding and has pretty good reviews. <br />

<br />

<a href='http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/mig-welder-r-tech-i-mig180/'>http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/mig-welder-r-tech-i-mig180/</a><br />

<br />

If search "doubleboost rtech 180 review" on youtube, he has reviewed the welder and gives it the thumbs up.<br />

<br />

The price is similar to the Clarke and maybe a touch cheaper. They also do deals on their Ebay shop where you can pick up a demo model cheaper too at times.</p></blockquote>

 

Thanks for the extra input everyone. I too wanted a welder with variable strength not just the 2 buttons.

Thanks for the feedback on the sealy as it was one I was considering if I got loads of negatives on the Clarke's.

Now then, the R-tech does look really good and lower prices than the Clarke. Mmm, think I way go for that as they do seem to get good reviews.

Thanks again everyone who has replied :)

[sierra3dr 51]

I use a 145T No-Gas/Gas MIG Welder. But I'd say SIP are better

Edited October 10, 2017 by sierra3dr

[Beowulf 87]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="sierra3dr" data-cid="663388" data-time="1507596104"><p>

I use a 145T No-Gas/Gas MIG Welder. But I'd say SIP are better</p></blockquote>

 

Thanks for the feedback! :)

I am really surprised that I didn't get more negatives for Clarke? Seems that when someone is using a Clarke on a resto loads of people say they are cr ap and to get a better welder.

Anyhoo, I am really glad I put up this thread as after reading more I went for the R-tech 180. Really glad I did too. Turns out I am a half decent welder lmao. After the Clarke 90 (would weld fine then suddenly start spitting for absolutely NO reason whatsoever) it buzzes allong really nicely and is very smooth. I would recommend one to anyone wanting a good quality hobbyist welder.

[sierra3dr 51]

After the Clarke 90 (would weld fine then suddenly start spitting for absolutely NO reason whatsoever

That's what I experience