JPMuscle

Im starting to get into looking for a good mig Welder, Ive been looking at Clarkes 180en and for the price I dont think it can beat. They have been going for around 499 with the cart and some accessories and are about 100bucks cheaper on ebay.

Whats your guys opinion, are these good quality welders or not. Id reall like to spend the coin and get the 180amp hobart but im still trying to throw money at my car. Plus i think the clark would be more than enough for any automotive job etc.


any inputs appreciated,

http://cgi.ebay.com/CLARKE-220V-180E...QQcmdZViewItem


thanks,
-john

fast377

iTrader: (52)

I've been looking at the same welder myself. I know the Millers and high end Lincolns can't be beat, but this looks like a good budget welder. So I'm also interested in hearing other's opinions.

cbrich

Homedepot has a Lincoln mig welder for $460, for the cost I would buy the Lincoln.

JPMuscle

yeah but the lincoln is only 120 volt and 135 max amps where as the clarke is 220v/180amp.

Silverback

Most people seem to realy like the little Clarke welders… I’ve only used one for a few minutes and nothing really stood out as being a problem and I was able to lay down some really nice beads, but honestly, I’d need to play with one for longer to give a good assessment of how good they really are.

fast98

iTrader: (16)

i have this welder and it is really nice. i've welded all kinds of things and i have no bad words to say about it. pm me if you want the site i got it at.

1CAMWNDR

iTrader: (21)

I own a 130EN gas/no gas Clarke and I love it. The biggest reason I went with the 130 was all I have in the garage is a 110v outlet. If I had access to a 220v; I would have gotten the 180 .

frcefed98

iTrader: (16)

I also have a Clarke GAS/NO GAS EN130 ...same issue as mike up above, no 220 in da garage. When I buy a tig, i'll do the 220 outlet into the garage thing

I figured for the money it would do what i needed it to do, it has and hasn't let me down. Pretty impressive lil buzz box. Much more consistent than my buddies Lincoln Mig that I used before I bought my own. I've done 2 FMIC kits, various exhaust projects, and two turbo builds as well. Not one glitch.

Just welded up the railing on our bay door at work today with my lil Clarke, worked like a champ and the boss spotted me 100 for the fix

The 100 bucks is going towards the $179 bandsaw at harbor freight today too

1CAMWNDR

iTrader: (21)

Yep. I welded a lady's driver's sidedoor hinge back on her Jeep Cherokee after it rusted apart. A bead on top, one side, and bottom, spray paint it black. $50.00 for 20 mins work . The body shop she talked to wanted to disassemble the door, fix it and then put it back together to the tune of $150.00 .

Npak

im pretty sure these two places are nation wide. but goto Air Liquide/Liquid Air or Air Gas and tell them ur looking for budget and tell them the uses ur gonna use the machines for. and if u work for a shop most the time u can get a shop discount. if u goto college or highschool they give discounts. military too. so milk these places for all u can.