I am in the market for a welder to do some patching on my 51 frame and on my cab. My dad says to get a 220v, well I found a Clarke welder for a good price....but does anyone have experience with this brand? What do you guys think about clarke brand?

 

i like mine 5 years no problems

 

Cool, what size clarke do you have?

 

I'd recommend the Hobart 187. It will handle any welding you are likely to need, and the consumables are available at any welding supply.

 

Hobart Handler 140.

Very Dependable. Even though my shop has 220 I wanted a model that would run on 120 in case I took it someplace (which I have)

 

can't recommend Clark... I've seen them but have no experience with them
But on welders in general..... your final decision on a welder should depend on its intended use...

If you plan on doing primarily heavy welding (1/4" and up...farm equipment, heavy plate and angle iron) then a stick welder will serve you well, although a hi amp wire machine will work also. You're looking at the 200 amp and up work there.


If you plan on light gauge projects, sheet metal work, body repair then I'd say a MIG machine would serve you better. Light gauge tubing, 1/8" plate... body repair... that type of thing..
thickenss will also determine the amperage you need.. for all light gauge work like body sheet metal and such you can do with a 110 volt machine 90-140 amp welding current.

For 1/4" and down anything between a 100 - 200 amp machine will serve you well. Heavy stuff... 200 or better..

I agree with the general assesment of H.F. Cheap import junk.. although you can get good deals on name brand tools sometimes, but basically low quality tools... Stick with a name brand... Miller, Hobart, Lincoln... you can always get replacement parts...even on weekends and they have good service reps...

I have a Hobart "suitcase" welder, 100 amp 110 volt for light stuff and it does a great job using either gas or flux core. For larger material I have a Millermatic 200. A 200 amp 220 volt machine that will handle anything else I tend to stick together.. I normally run both on GMAW... only using flux core for outside windy conditions. (the wind blows the shielding gas away). Flux core wire needs more clean up than GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding...gas shielded) It tends to splatter more.

I also have a Lincoln 225 amp ac/dc stick welder that I haven't turned on for several years since I bought the wire machines..

I think wire welding is a lot easier to master than stick and much easier to see and control your weld puddle.

I bought both of my machines used.. from welding houses that had leased them out then refurb'd them and sold them... you can get some really good deals if you're patient (?). Check with some of the supply houses and watch the "Machinery and Equipment" column in the classifieds.

Anything over 175 amps will probably require 220 volt service so plan on that expense also (if you can't do it yourself. )

Safety equipment.. A good helmet with the proper shield.. You can get away with lighter gloves with wire welders... but with stick, get some good heavy welding gloves. A fire extinguisher close by and readily accessable is a must as well as a bucket of water for cooling your welds. Clamps, pliers, vice grips and a BFH are almost a necessity. Wear long sleeves and long pants that are not tucked into your boots.. no sneekers... hot metal goes thru them like...well hot metal !!


hope that helps..
john

 

thanks for the advice guys I appreciate it. I only want to spend 500 tops for welder, gas tank, gas, wire, and guages....but I don't think I,m going to get that lucky finding a 220v lincoln or hobart so I don't know what I'm going to do

 

well clark is a good welder i paid almost the same for mine as the lincon next to it cost use it reg and around here anyway i can get everything local its also the brand eastwood sells i really like mine like i said 5 years no problems welds really good i built a cable trailer with it right after i bought it and it's used everyday

 

needhelp49, witch model clarke do you have?

 

I agree wholeheartedly.

IIRC, this one is in the Northern Tool catalog for under $600

 

And I "third" the Hobart Handler 187 - I've only had it maybe two months, almost ready to go on my 2nd 8" reel! Man, I'm welding EVERYthing! We had a Clarke (not sure of model) at work, blew it to pieces inside of a year, ended up buying a Millermatic 185. That's nice too, but a little big for MY needs, but I was looking for one, anyway - it's not made anymore, replaced with the Millermatic 210, and from what I've heard, the 210 ain't near the welder the 185 was...

Just my $.02 worth...

R

 

this one http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...emType=PRODUCT can i post a link

 

I like older equipment, Miller Matic 35's can be picked up fopr

 

Grrr...DSL line is fadng with the weather.

Jnoilin has it pretty much dialed in...

I like the older stuff...a used welder (of quality) will outlive you and your young'ens.

PS...JNoilin, if yuo'd like to get rid of that 200...I've a Vintage up for trade.

 

You can get a Hobart Handler 140 115V machine like I have for < 500.00 delivered. A little smaller than the 187 220V machine but still will handle most automotive welding work without a sweat and the great thing is you can plug it into any standard outlet and start welding.