Anyone bought this welder and tried it?

[Andrew S]

I appreciate that this is not as good as some, but has anyone bought one and used it?

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-mig102ng-90amp-no-gas-mig-welder/

My old MIG130TE is tired and I just want a cheaper general welder but not necessarily for heavy welding

Any feedback appreciated

Cheers
Andrew

[richardthestag]

having welded with and without gas it is gas all the way for me

[Andrew S]

Thanks Richard for feedback, Is that due to the way it welds and the finish or distortion?

[Knockwurst]

Gas less causes much more splatter and the weld oxidises a bit more. I picked up a sealey mightymig 150 for not much more than the Clarke one.

[richardthestag]

finish mainly, both do the same especially with the help of a flappy disc and a grinder

Gas welding is much easier though

[stornoway]

Hi Andrew
If you can run to a bit extra go for a Clarke 135TE one of their best selling welders absolutely brilliant very easy to set up and ideal for car restoration.
Regards
John

[Goldstar]

+1 for the 135te. I've upgraded but had mine for about 2 years and it was perfectly good for most jobs. The turbo cooling increases the day cycle so you don't have to wait between welds. Only issue I had was wire slipping off the spool occasionally. Other than that it was absolutely fine

[Stagdad]

+2^

[Andrew S]

What does it mean by 'non live torch'?

[Motorsport Micky]

What does it mean by 'non live torch'?

Some cheaper models of welder have the torch (welding gun) live as soon as you turn on the mains, makes it a nuisance, you would be likely to strike up an ark against any earth at hand. The better units have torches that are not live until you "trigger" the welder and are ready with a mask etc.

Micky

[new to this]

What does it mean by 'non live torch'?

Usually its the older welders that have a live torch ( you get used to it ),non live torch means you don't get a spark until you press the trigger button

Dave

[Stag therapy]

+1 for the 135te. I've upgraded but had mine for about 2 years and it was perfectly good for most jobs. The turbo cooling increases the day cycle so you don't have to wait between welds. Only issue I had was wire slipping off the spool occasionally. Other than that it was absolutely fine

+3.

The wire slip I had was only when the spool was full and even then only occasional.

No gas = splatter IME

Andrew, if you are not already registered with Machine Mart get registered. - Buy some latex gloves or some thing you will use. You will probably find a VAT free event shortly after Christmas. Well worth the junk mail.

Barry

[stagmuffin]

difference between live and non live wire feed gun is <
the live gun the gas shroud is continually live while trigger is depressed meaning if you touch the work with gas shroud it will short out !!
the the non live gun has a insulated gas shroud which remains so while trigger is depressed so shorting is not an issue .............this is the one to go for using gas IMHO ive been welding in all disciplines for over 40yrs and non gas is not called welding in my industry unless its submerged arc .

[Andrew S]

Thanks guys for the all the feedback. I have a 130TE and its been OK but not having the facilities for a gas bottle means that when I have used it to fix the odd thing, I can just about get away with no gas and as mentioned, a grinder afterwards to tidy things up. I don't intend doing another restoration for some time so cant justify renting a bottle of gas. So, this small welder being that things have moved on in the years I thought would be a compromise. It would not so thanks for the feedback.

[new to this]

Thanks guys for the all the feedback. I have a 130TE and its been OK but not having the facilities for a gas bottle means that when I have used it to fix the odd thing, I can just about get away with no gas and as mentioned, a grinder afterwards to tidy things up. I don't intend doing another restoration for some time so cant justify renting a bottle of gas. So, this small welder being that things have moved on in the years I thought would be a compromise. It would not so thanks for the feedback.

Andrew

halfords sell small gas bottles,but it works out dear,you can also buy bigger hobby bottles now days not the really big bottles that BOC rent

dave